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1,182 rows where party = "Republican", state = "AR" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending

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  • House 1,182
url title date ▲ year month party chamber state member_name bioguide_id domain scraper source date_source text has_text collected_at updated_at
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=859 Cotton Statement on Iranian Protests 2017-12-28 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 28, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the protests against the Iranian regime in the city of Mashhad: "Even after the billions in sanctions relief they secured through the nuclear deal, the ayatollahs still can't provide for the basic needs of their own people-perhaps because they've funneled so much of that money into their campaign of regional aggression in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. The protests in Mashhad show that a regime driven by such a hateful ideology cannot maintain broad popular support forever, and we should support the Iranian people who are willing to risk their lives to speak out against it." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=5C998A60-E9C5-4C2A-9F29-72C92EB33E40 USS Little Rock Added to Navy Fleet 2017-12-27 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Despite the cold weather in Buffalo, New York, there was a warm welcome for the USS Little Rock, its crew and myself and fellow Arkansans who traveled to celebrate the commissioning of the Freedom-class littoral combat ship earlier this month. Its been more than four decades since the Navy had a ship named after the City of Little Rock, and it is an honor to have one of its more versatile warships named after our states capital city. The commissioning of the USS Little Rock marked the first time in the history of the Navy that a ship was commissioned alongside her namesake. This special occasion brought together crew members of the original USS Little Rock and those like Lieutenant Robert Dyer from Mountainburg, Arkansas who is a member of the current crew. During its time as a light cruiser and then as a guided missile cruisier, the original USS Little Rock and its crew were vital to defeating growing threats. The new USS Little Rock is just as critical to our Navys sea power. This ship, and the strength and resolve of its Warhawg crew, is the future of the Navy, offering unique capabilities to defend against evolving threats around the globe. In order to protect our national security, the Navy needs the resources to stay ahead of the threats our adversaries pose to us and our allies. We also need the resources to work toward the goal of a 355-ship fleet. Achieving this larger, more capable fleet will take decades to complete, but Congress can make it easier by passing individual appropriations bills instead of relying on continuing resolutions. Earlier this month, Navy Secretary Spencer said the service has wasted $4 billion since 2011 because of continuing resolutions. This could have gone a long way toward growing our fleet. A continuing resolution means that the Navy is operating on the previous years budget level and last years priorities. It means delays in shipbuilding and ship repair. It also means reducing training opportunities, flying hours, and steaming days. That forces more requirements on… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398543 Crawford Introduces the Century Farms Act 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Rick Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, Representatives Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Rick Nolan (MN-08) introduced the Century Farms Act. This important bi-partnership piece of legislation encourages and awards century farms. In the U.S., century farms represent 97 percent of all farms, and of those 90 percent represent small family farms. Currently, only 30 states recognize century farms. The Century Farms Act will create a program to recognize farms that have been in continuous operation for 100 years. As a cornerstone for agriculture production, century farms all over the U.S. have continued to contribute greatly to the agriculture industry by producing and sustaining Americas food supply. The families who have maintained their family farm for a century should be recognized for the incredible service they have provided to the agriculture industry, said Crawford. Since the founding of America, family farms have nourished our local communities, bolstered our economy, and allowed our great Nation to flourish, Nolan said. Century farms and the generation of families whose hard work has sustained them deserve to be proudly recognized for their place in that esteemed heritage and for their vital contributions to todays agricultural industry. Representing districts that are populated by farming families, Representatives French Hill (AR-02), Steve Womack (AR-03), and Bruce Westerman (AR-04) are all co-sponsors of the bill. The Natural State is home to 376 Arkansas Century Farms across more than 25 counties. Expanding this practice throughout the U.S. will encourage and reward family farmers who already contribute so much to our communities, said Arkansas Congressmen Hill, Womack, and Westerman. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-introduces-resolution-expressing-concern-over-persecution-coptic Hill Introduces Resolution Expressing Concern over Persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, Congressman French Hill (R-AR), along with Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), Dave Trott (R-MI), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), introduced a resolution expressing concern over attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt. I had the opportunity to travel to Egypt earlier this year, said Rep. Hill. While preparing for the trip, visiting the country, and returning home, I repeatedly heard about the plight of the Coptic Christians in Egypt. Although the Copts have been victims of numerous terrorist attacks by groups like ISIS, what is most disturbing to me is the amount of attacks against Copts carried out by their fellow Egyptians. While I appreciate Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisis actions to reform education and his support for religious tolerance, along with our U.S.-Egypt partnership to combat terrorism, I believe that it is critically important for the Egyptian government to end the marginalization of Copts in Egyptian society and make a legal example of any perpetrator who persecutes Egyptian Christians. Background: House Resolution, H.Res. 673, acknowledges the importance of the United States-Egypt partnership in advancing our common interests, recognizes Egypts need for certain government reforms, and calls on the Egyptian government to end the culture of impunity and make examples by arresting, prosecuting, and convicting those responsible for attacks on Christians. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-s-central-high-bill-sent-president-s-desk Hills Central High Bill Sent to the Presidents Desk 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) made the following statement after the Senate passed his bill, H.R. 2611, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act, and was sent to President Trumps desk for signature: Congressman Hill said, Its an exciting day for Arkansas and Little Rock as my bill to preserve Arkansass civil rights history passed the Senate and is now onto the Presidents desk for his signature. This could not come at a better time as we just celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Little Rock Nines brave actions integrating Little Rock Central High School. Together with the school, seven homes across the street from Central High will now stand as living monuments to the civil rights movement in Arkansas and the United States. I want to thank my friend and colleague Senator Tom Cotton, for his leadership moving this bill through the Senate and my colleague, civil rights pioneer, and courageous leader, Congressman John Lewis, for co-authoring this bill with me in the House. Finally, this accomplishment would not have been possible without Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop and Ranking Member Raul Grijalvaand Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell. Each played a key role in seeing this important measure become a reality. I am proud of our efforts, and I look forward to this bill becoming law because Arkansas's history is America's history. Senator Tom Cotton said: To be able to see exactly how it looked when the Little Rock Nine walked their way into Central High Schooland into historywill remind all of us and generations to come that we must continually stand guard against hatred and intolerance. Im grateful to Congressman French Hill for working with me on this important bill and Im glad its now passed both the House and Senate. I urge President Trump to sign it into law quickly. Background: The Little Rock Central High School Nati… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/members-ar-ok-ks-join-rep-hill-letter-president-regarding-arkansas-river Members of AR, OK, KS Join Rep. Hill on Letter to President Regarding Arkansas River Infrastructure Spending 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, seven other members of the House of Representatives from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas joined Congressman French Hill (AR-02) in writing a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to include public and private stakeholders from waterway systems in his discussions and plans to improve our nations infrastructure. The seven Members of Congress stressed the importance of including the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) as part of infrastructure improvements. In the letter to President Trump, Rep. Hill and seven other Members of Congress wrote: Dear Mr. President: We write to express our support for the U.S. inland waterways, and request that you include our waterways systems as a part of your infrastructure principles when they are released next year. As you are keenly aware, a strong infrastructure is essential to a strong U.S. economy and key to encouraging job growth and promoting commerce. We applaud your continued messages on the needed improvements to U.S. infrastructure, and we believe our inland waterways also serve as important economic drivers and are vital parts of our nations infrastructure. For example, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) opened as an official inland waterway system in 1971. The MKARNS originates at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Port of Catoosa, and runs through Oklahoma and Arkansas to the Mississippi River. In 2016, the MKARNS had more than 11.5 million tons of commerce traverse the system, totaling more than $4.6 billion. From 2007-2016 more than 114.4 million tons of commerce, totaling more $42.6 billion, traversed the system. Further, local, state, and federal stakeholders have been working together for years to find a solution to increase the depth of the MKARNS from nine to twelve feet, which could significantly expand the capacity for commerce on the system. According to the American Waterways Operators, a 15 barge tow can carry the equivalent of more than 200 rail cars and more than 1,000 semi-trucks. Further, barges can… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-trump-signs-tax-reform-bill-law President Trump Signs Tax Reform Bill into Law 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after President Trump signed comprehensive tax reform legislation into law: For the first time in over three decades, we delivered comprehensive tax reform to Arkansans and Americans to create new jobs, bring jobs back home, and let people keep more of their hard-earned dollars. This bill streamlines the filing process, doubles the child tax credit, doubles the standard deduction all of which means that Arkansas families will be able to keep more of what they earn and decide how they will spend it to support the dreams of their children and grandchildren.I appreciate President Trump signing this historic measure into law today. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1518 Members of AR, OK, KS Join Rep. Hill on Letter to President Regarding Arkansas River Infrastructure Spending 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Today, seven other members of the House of Representatives from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas joined Congressman French Hill (AR-02) in writing a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to include public and private stakeholders from waterway systems in his discussions and plans to improve our nation's infrastructure. The seven Members of Congress stressed the importance of including the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) as part of infrastructure improvements. In theletterto President Trump, Rep. Hill and seven other Members of Congress wrote: Dear Mr. President: We write to express our support for the U.S. inland waterways, and request that you include our waterways systems as a part of your infrastructure principles when they are released next year. As you are keenly aware, a strong infrastructure is essential to a strong U.S. economy and key to encouraging job growth and promoting commerce. We applaud your continued messages on the needed improvements to U.S. infrastructure, and we believe our inland waterways also serve as important economic drivers and are vital parts of our nation's infrastructure. For example, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) opened as an official inland waterway system in 1971. The MKARNS originates at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Port of Catoosa, and runs through Oklahoma and Arkansas to the Mississippi River. In 2016, the MKARNS had more than 11.5 million tons of commerce traverse the system, totaling more than $4.6 billion. From 2007-2016 more than 114.4 million tons of commerce, totaling more $42.6 billion, traversed the system. Further, local, state, and federal stakeholders have been working together for years to find a solution to increase the depth of the MKARNS from nine to twelve feet, which could significantly expand the capacity for commerce on the system. According to the American Waterways Operators, a 15 barge tow can carry the equivalent of more than 200 rail cars and more than 1,000 semi-trucks. Further, barges can mov… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1519 Hill Introduces Resolution Expressing Concern over Persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Today, Congressman French Hill (R-AR), along with Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), Dave Trott (R-MI), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), introduced a resolution expressing concern over attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt. I had the opportunity to travel to Egypt earlier this year, said Rep. Hill. While preparing for the trip, visiting the country, and returning home, I repeatedly heard about the plight of the Coptic Christians in Egypt. Although the Copts have been victims of numerous terrorist attacks by groups like ISIS, what is most disturbing to me is the amount of attacks against Copts carried out by their fellow Egyptians. While I appreciate Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's actions to reform education and his support for religious tolerance, along with our U.S.-Egypt partnership to combat terrorism, I believe that it is critically important for the Egyptian government to end the marginalization of Copts in Egyptian society and make a legal example of any perpetrator who persecutes Egyptian Christians. Background: House Resolution,H.Res. 673, acknowledges the importance of the United States-Egypt partnership in advancing our common interests, recognizes Egypt's need for certain government reforms, and calls on the Egyptian government to end the culture of impunity and make examples by arresting, prosecuting, and convicting those responsible for attacks on Christians. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1520 President Trump Signs Tax Reform Bill into Law 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy President Trump Signs Tax Reform Bill into Law f t # e Washington, December 22, 2017 Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after President Trump signed comprehensive tax reform legislation into law: For the first time in over three decades, we delivered comprehensive tax reform to Arkansans and Americans to create new jobs, bring jobs back home, and let people keep more of their hard-earned dollars. This bill streamlines the filing process, doubles the child tax credit, doubles the standard deduction all of which means that Arkansas families will be able to keep more of what they earn and decide how they will spend it to support the dreams of their children and grandchildren.I appreciate President Trump signing this historic measure into law today. f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1521 Hills Central High Bill Sent to the Presidents Desk 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Congressman French Hill (AR-02) made the following statement after the Senate passed his bill,H.R. 2611, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act, and was sent to President Trump's desk for signature: Congressman Hill said, It's an exciting day for Arkansas and Little Rock as my bill to preserve Arkansas's civil rights history passed the Senate and is now onto the President's desk for his signature. This could not come at a better time as we just celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine's brave actions integrating Little Rock Central High School. Together with the school, seven homes across the street from Central High will now stand as living monuments to the civil rights movement in Arkansas and the United States. I want to thank my friend and colleague Senator Tom Cotton, for his leadership moving this bill through the Senate and my colleague, civil rights pioneer, and courageous leader, Congressman John Lewis, for co-authoring this bill with me in the House. Finally, this accomplishment would not have been possible without Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop and Ranking Member Raul Grijalvaand Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell. Each played a key role in seeing this important measure become a reality. I am proud of our efforts, and I look forward to this bill becoming law because Arkansas's history is America's history. Senator Tom Cotton said: To be able to see exactly how it looked when the Little Rock Nine walked their way into Central High Schooland into historywill remind all of us and generations to come that we must continually stand guard against hatred and intolerance. I'm grateful to Congressman French Hill for working with me on this important bill and I'm glad it's now passed both the House and Senate. I urge President Trump to sign it into law quickly. Background: The Little Rock Central High School Nati… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=6B81C593-BB1D-40B4-889A-DE7547F73635 AETN: Arkansas Week Special Edition: Sen. John Boozman 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) sits down for a wide-ranging, thirty minute interview where they discuss tax relief, government spending, immigration reform and more. Full story:http://www.aetn.org/programs/arkansasweek/171222 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0319353F-ACF6-46E7-87B3-1128D850B6DB Arkansan Confirmed to Lead DRA 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate unanimously voted to confirm Chris Caldwell to serve as theFederal Co-Chairmanof the Delta Regional Authority (DRA).Caldwell, a seventh-generation Arkansan and member of U.S. Senator John Boozmans staff, was nominated to lead the DRA by President Trump earlier this year. Raised on a cattle ranch in Central Arkansas, he currently resides in Little Rock where he has been serving as the Director of Special Projects on Boozman's Senate staff. Chris brings so much to the table. He's a tenacious, committed public servant who has a strong sense of duty to the region. He understands what it takes to bring economic growth to our communities and will excel in this role. I truly believe that great things are in store for the entire delta region with Chris at the helm of the DRA," Boozman said. The DRAa federal-state partnership that works to improve regional economic opportunity in the Mississippi River Delta Regionis led by a board comprised of the Federal Co-Chairman and the governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Caldwell has extensive experience in political campaigns, most recently managing Boozman's successful reelection campaign. He has also served on several other campaigns including Governor Mike Huckabee's 2008 presidential bid andSenatorTim Hutchinson's 2002 campaign. Beyond his political and government service, Caldwell has held various roles in the private sector and is an active volunteer in his community. He graduated with a B.A. in Communications from the University of Arkansas's J. William Fulbright School. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=858 Cotton Statement on Senate Passage of Little Rock Central High National Historic Site Boundary Expansion 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 22, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on Senate passage of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site boundary expansion: "This is a fitting end to the 60th anniversary year of the Little Rock Nine. Now, future generations of Americans will be able to see exactly how both Little Rock Central High and the surrounding neighborhood looked to those nine brave students on that fateful day when they changed the course of history. This historic site is a precious part of our country's heritage, and it's vital that we preserve it in its entirety." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-awards-final-golden-fleece-2017-washington-metropolitan-area Hill Awards Final Golden Fleece of 2017 to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for Wasteful Spending 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (R-AR) named the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as the final winner of the Golden Fleece award of 2017 for wasteful spending and an institutional lack of accountability. In the letter to WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld, Congressman Hill wrote: Dear Mr. Wiedefeld: I write today to inform you that your agency is this months recipient of my Golden Fleece Award. I am awarding this to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) foritswasteful spending, its failure to its customers, and its institutional lack of accountability. In the implementation of theSafeTrack Program, WMATA failed in its fiduciary responsibility to its customers and the federal government. As reported by theWashington Poston November 16, 2016,SafeTrack wasexpectedto cost between $60million and $80 millionand to be completed in twelve months. In fact, according to the Federal Transit Authoritys May 2017 Monthly Oversight Report, SafeTrack took nearly three months longer than expected[1]and cost the agency nearly twice what was budgeted. Specifically, the overall costs were $154 million, $75.5 million of which wasfederalfunding.[2] This demonstrates a lack of good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Additionally, even after all of the time and funds poured into SafeTrack,since the completion of SafeTrack, customers are still without the level of service they deserve. Despite WMATAsBack 2 Good campaign, in fact,service hours have not returned to pre-SafeTrack times and WMATA continues to shut down sections of the system for weeks at a time.[3] This is not the level of customer service that would be expected of a Program costing as much taxpayer and dollars this. Finally, reports are now surfacing WMATAs Office of Inspector General (OIG) was in a situation that prevented them from operating independently.Specifically,the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs wrotetoyourecentlywiththeirconcerns that WMATA does not properly empower the OIG as an… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-responds-fhfa-dividend-payment-changes Hill Responds to FHFA Dividend Payment Changes 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON - This morning, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Treasury Department announced an agreement that deprives taxpayers of the compensation they are entitled to under the current conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac both Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). This agreement modifies the prudent practice of the Obama Treasury Department that determines how taxpayers are compensated for the continued risk of their financial backing of the failed GSEs. Under the new proposals, the GSEs will be permitted to reserve $3 billion in capital. The Majority Whip of the House Financial Services Committee, French Hill (AR-02), issued the following statement: Im very troubled by this mornings agreement between the FHFA and the Treasury Department. We, the taxpayers, through the Treasury Department, still back GSEs with a line of credit standing at over $250 billion and, while Fannie and Freddie remain in conservatorship, taxpayers continue to be on the hook. If policy makers want to end a decade of negligence and finally reform and modernize our broken and bankrupt secondary mortgage market entities, then I encourage FHFA Director Watt to meet with the House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo. Together, we can design a successful secondary market that facilitates housing markets and operates in a safe and sound manner for taxpayers. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-supports-disaster-relief-measure Hill Supports Disaster Relief Measure 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting additional funding for disaster relief: Across the nation, we have neighbors in need not only in Arkansas but in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and in the West where communities are still suffering and recovering from hurricanes and disastrous wildfires. The measure we passed today will provide $81 billion over ten years (about $11 billion in fiscal year 2018) in disaster relief for Arkansan and American families in need as they put their lives back together after destruction from these natural disasters. I am proud that we were able to include an important provision that makes seed cotton eligible for the farm safety net, which is vitally important to Arkansass cotton farmers. Also, this measure structures a good beginning for the critical challenges Puerto Rico faces as they rebuild their communities. I was proud to support this legislation today to aid those in need of recovery because America is strongest when neighbor supports neighbor. Background: Click here to read H.R. 4667 - Making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-votes-keep-government-open Hill Votes to Keep Government Open 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement supporting a short-term measure to fund government operations at current funding levels until January 19, 2018: Generally, I am not in favor of short-term spending bills, and, as I have said repeatedly, the ball is in the Senates court because the House has passed all twelve of our spending bills this year. With that said, it was important and responsible for the House to move todays bill to ensure that we continue to fund priorities that Arkansans reply upon such as $2.85 billion for the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Veterans Choice program. I look forward to coming back early January to fully exercise our Article 1 power of the purse, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure that taxpayers dollars are being spent wisely with oversight and accountability. Background: Click here to read the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1370 - Further Continuing Resolution. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1514 Hill Awards Final Golden Fleece of 2017 to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for Wasteful Spending 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Congressman French Hill (R-AR) named the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as the final winner of the Golden Fleece award of 2017 for wasteful spending and an institutional lack of accountability. In theletterto WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld, Congressman Hill wrote: Dear Mr. Wiedefeld: I write today to inform you that your agency is this month's recipient of my Golden Fleece Award. I am awarding this to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) foritswasteful spending, its failure to its customers, and its institutional lack of accountability. In the implementation of theSafeTrack Program, WMATA failed in its fiduciary responsibility to its customers and the federal government. As reported by theWashington Poston November 16, 2016,SafeTrack wasexpectedto cost between $60million and $80 millionand to be completed in twelve months. In fact, according to the Federal Transit Authority's May 2017 Monthly Oversight Report, SafeTrack took nearly three months longer than expected.and cost the agency nearly twice what was budgeted. Specifically, the overall costs were $154 million, $75.5 million of which wasfederalfunding. This demonstrates a lack of good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Additionally, even after all of the time and funds poured into SafeTrack,since the completion of SafeTrack, customers are still without the level of service they deserve. Despite WMATA'sBack 2 Good campaign, in fact,service hours have not returned to pre-SafeTrack times and WMATA continues to shut down sections of the system for weeks at a time.This is not the level of customer service that would be expected of a Program costing as much taxpayer and dollars this. Finally, reports are now surfacing WMATA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) was in a situation that prevented them from operating independently.Specifically,the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs wrotetoyourecentlywiththeirconcerns that WMATA does not properly empower the OIG as an independent… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1515 Hill Votes to Keep Government Open 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement supporting a short-term measure to fund government operations at current funding levels until January 19, 2018: Generally, I am not in favor of short-term spending bills, and, as I have said repeatedly, the ball is in the Senate's court because the House has passed all twelve of our spending bills this year. With that said, it was important and responsible for the House to move today's bill to ensure that we continue to fund priorities that Arkansans reply upon such as $2.85 billion for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Veterans Choice program. I look forward to coming back early January to fully exercise our Article 1 power of the purse,' and I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure that taxpayers dollars are being spent wisely with oversight and accountability. Background: Clickhereto read the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1370 - Further Continuing Resolution. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1516 Hill Supports Disaster Relief Measure 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill Supports Disaster Relief Measure f t # e Washington, December 21, 2017 Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting additional funding for disaster relief: Across the nation, we have neighbors in need not only in Arkansas but in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and in the West where communities are still suffering and recovering from hurricanes and disastrous wildfires. The measure we passed today will provide $81 billion over ten years (about $11 billion in fiscal year 2018) in disaster relief for Arkansan and American families in need as they put their lives back together after destruction from these natural disasters. I am proud that we were able to include an important provision that makes seed cotton eligible for the farm safety net, which is vitally important to Arkansas's cotton farmers. Also, this measure structures a good beginning for the critical challenges Puerto Rico faces as they rebuild their communities. I was proud to support this legislation today to aid those in need of recovery because America is strongest when neighbor supports neighbor. Background: Clickhereto read H.R. 4667 - Making further supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, for disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and calendar year 2017 wildfires, and for other purposes. f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1517 Hill Responds to FHFA Dividend Payment Changes 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy This morning, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Treasury Department announced an agreement that deprives taxpayers of the compensation they are entitled to under the current conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac both Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). This agreement modifies the prudent practice of the Obama Treasury Department that determines how taxpayers are compensated for the continued risk of their financial backing of the failed GSEs. Under the new proposals, the GSEs will be permitted to reserve $3 billion in capital. The Majority Whip of the House Financial Services Committee, French Hill (AR-02), issued the following statement: I'm very troubled by this morning's agreement between the FHFA and the Treasury Department. We, the taxpayers, through the Treasury Department, still back GSEs with a line of credit standing at over $250 billion and, while Fannie and Freddie remain in conservatorship, taxpayers continue to be on the hook. If policy makers want to end a decade of negligence and finally reform and modernize our broken and bankrupt secondary mortgage market entities, then I encourage FHFA Director Watt to meet with the House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo. Together, we can design a successful secondary market that facilitates housing markets and operates in a safe and sound manner for taxpayers. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/assistance-firefighters-grant-program-afg-opens-december-26 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) Opens December 26 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Bruce Westerman W000821 westerman.house.gov     legacy This serves as notification that the application period for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) will open on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at 7:00 AM (Central). The application period for the FY 2017 AFG Program closes on Friday, February 2, 2017 at 4:00 PM (Central). Pub. L. No. 115-31 includes $310,500,000 for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Programs to assist first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types under the AFG Program. The goal of the AFG Program is to enhance, through direct financial assistance, the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel and to provide a continuum of support for emergency responders regarding fire, medical, and all-hazard events. The AFG Program awards grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, and State Fire Training Academies for critically needed resources to protect the public, train emergency personnel, foster interoperability, and support community resilience. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399263 Womack Votes to Avoid Shutdown 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Womack Votes to Avoid Shutdown f t # e Washington, December 21, 2017 WASHINGTON Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today released the following statement after the House voted in favor of a short-term funding extension: While there is still disagreement in the spending priorities of our nation, I am glad we were able to move the debate past the holidays. The Congress, however, has a number of major issues pending and the workload in January will prove to be a heavy lift. I am anxious to return to Washington following Christmas with my family to finish work on the 2018 appropriations. Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget. womack.house.gov ### f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=62403BE3-29CD-406F-9F8D-C4CDA7789DD8 Boozman, Cotton Applaud Confirmation of U.S. Western District Attorney 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate today confirmed Duane (Dak) Kees to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Kees, who was recommended by Boozman and Cotton, was confirmed by unanimous consent. President Trump nominated Kees in September. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination last week. Dak Kees has led a distinguished career in service to our country. He is well prepared for this new role to enforce and uphold our nations laws. I look forward to working with him to combat crime and make our communities safer, Boozman said. I congratulate Dak Kees on his confirmation as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Dak brings extensive experience as a public servant anda deeply held belief inthe rule of law. He will be an effectivelaw-enforcementofficerfor the people ofArkansas, Cotton said. Kees is currently employed as the Director of Global Ethics and Compliance at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc in Bentonville. Kees is a decorated Army veteran who rose to the rank of Captain. He was deployed to Afghanistan for one year and served a 15-month rotation in Iraq. During his military career, Kees served as a Legal Assistance Attorney, Trial Counsel, Brigade Judge Advocate and Senior Defense Attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas School of Law. The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) Western District of Arkansas includes 34 counties stretching from Texarkana and El Dorado to Fayetteville and Fort Smith. It is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation for this district. This includes criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=88ED1E0C-0DCB-46A3-8D73-0230015B7502 Boozman Applauds Senate Passage of Tax Reform Bill 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate gave its final approval to a comprehensive tax reform package: Historic tax relief is not far from being signed into law. This is great news for hardworking Arkansans and it is great news for our states economy. For too long, middle-class Arkansans have struggled in an economy that feels like it is stuck in neutral. Our outdated, inefficient and ineffective tax code has played a large role in preventing a full recovery from taking hold. Tax reform will change that. It will help hardworking Arkansans keep more of their money in their own pockets by nearly doubling the standard deduction, lowering rates and eliminating loopholes. By permanently reducing the corporate tax rate, currently the highest in the developed world, we will make American businesses more competitive and keep well-paying jobs here at home. This bill is the push our economic recovery needs to get across the finish line. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=948AD2F4-525D-4ED1-BB14-6E61BFB92CB3 Boozman, Cotton Applaud Confirmation of U.S. Western District Attorney 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate today confirmed Duane (Dak) Kees to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Kees, who was recommended by Boozman and Cotton, was confirmed by unanimous consent. President Trump nominated Kees in September. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination last week. Dak Kees has led a distinguished career in service to our country. He is well prepared for this new role to enforce and uphold our nations laws. I look forward to working with him to combat crime and make our communities safer, Boozman said. I congratulate Dak Kees on his confirmation as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Dak brings extensive experience as a public servant anda deeply held belief inthe rule of law. He will be an effectivelaw-enforcementofficerfor the people ofArkansas, Cotton said. Kees is currently employed as the Director of Global Ethics and Compliance at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc in Bentonville. Kees is a decorated Army veteran who rose to the rank of Captain. He was deployed to Afghanistan for one year and served a 15-month rotation in Iraq. During his military career, Kees served as a Legal Assistance Attorney, Trial Counsel, Brigade Judge Advocate and Senior Defense Attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas School of Law. The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) Western District of Arkansas includes 34 counties stretching from Texarkana and El Dorado to Fayetteville and Fort Smith. It is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation for this district. This includes criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=855 Cotton Statement on Senate Approval of Tax Bill 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 20, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) tonight released the following statement on the Senate's approval of the tax bill: "This is a victory for Arkansan families and all working Americans. Now they'll be able to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, and in addition, our businesses will be able to create more jobs right here in America. I'm also very pleased the final bill includes my proposal to repeal the Obamacare individual-mandate tax. This is the most hated part of that terrible law, and I'm glad to see it go. All in all, this legislation is a major achievement. It will give working families the tax relief they deserve and help us build an economy that supports the American worker." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=856 Cotton Statement on Approval of Lethal Defensive Arms Sale to Ukraine 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 20, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the Trump administration's approval of a lethal defensive arms sale to Ukraine: "This is a break from failed Obama era policies to make Russia pay a cost for its aggression. With this decision, the Trump administration is reminding Vladimir Putin and his cronies that they lost the Cold War, and we won't tolerate their bullying of our friend Ukraine." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=857 Cotton, Boozman Applaud Confirmation of U.S. Western District Attorney 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 20, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate today confirmed Duane (Dak) Kees to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Kees, who was recommended by Cotton and Boozman, was confirmed by unanimous consent. President Trump nominated Kees in September. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination last week. "I congratulate Dak Kees on his confirmation as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Dak brings extensive experience as a public servant and a deeply held belief in the rule of law. He will be an effective law-enforcement officer for the people of Arkansas," Cotton said. "Dak Kees has led a distinguished career in service to our country. He is well prepared for this new role to enforce and uphold our nation's laws. I look forward to working with him to combat crime and make our communities safer," Boozman said. Kees is currently employed as the Director of Global Ethics and Compliance at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc in Bentonville. Kees is a decorated Army veteran who rose to the rank of Captain. He was deployed to Afghanistan for one year and served a 15-month rotation in Iraq. During his military career, Kees served as a Legal Assistance Attorney, Trial Counsel, Brigade Judge Advocate and Senior Defense Attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas School of Law. The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) Western District of Arkansas includes 34 counties stretching from Texarkana and El Dorado to Fayetteville and Fort Smith. It is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation for this district. This includes criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-votes-on-final-passage-of-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act Crawford Votes on Final Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Eric A. "Rick" Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov crawford https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases scraper December 19, 2017 Washington, D.C. - Upon final passage of the Tax Reform and Jobs Act, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) made the following statement. "On top of making it simpler to file every year, the vast majority of middle-income families in my district will get to keep more of their money to use as they wish, and 1st district businesses, both large and small, will be able to invest in new employees, assets, or pay raises. These changes will create new jobs in our rural towns and bring opportunity back from abroad for our children and grandchildren, making east and north-central Arkansas communities even better places to live." ### 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z
https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398541 Crawford Votes on Final Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Rick Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov     legacy Crawford Votes on Final Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act f t # e Washington, D.C., December 19, 2017 Washington, D.C. - Upon final passage of the Tax Reform and Jobs Act,Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) made the following statement."On top of making it simpler to file every year, the vast majority of middle-income families in my district will get to keep more of their money to use as they wish, and 1st district businesses, both large and small, will be able to invest in new employees, assets, or pay raises. These changes will create new jobs in our rural towns and bring opportunity back from abroad for our children and grandchildren, making east and north-central Arkansas communities even better places to live." ### f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-supports-rolling-back-dodd-frank-flaw Hill Supports Rolling Back Dodd-Frank Flaw 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting H.R. 3312, the Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017: I am pleased to support this measure to remove one more Dodd-Frank creation that has penalized and burdened our banks through a completely arbitrary asset threshold of $50 billion to designate firms as systemically important financial institutions. This provision was created by plucking a number out of thin air without regard to the actual business of the institution and in doing so, it gave them a government stamp of too big to fail. I thank my good friend, Chairman Blaine Luetkemeyer, designing this flawed Dodd-Frank requirement and I look forward to the Senate considering this thoughtful approach to reform. Click HERE to watch Rep. Hills speech in support of H.R. 3312 Background: H.R. 3312 will do the following: Removes arbitrary thresholds posed by the Dodd-Frank Act to create more flexible and efficient regulation of financial institutions. Removes the $50 billion asset threshold used to automatically designate certain financial institutions as SIFIs. Replaces the arbitrary asset site with enhanced regulatory standards for these financial institutions based upon the specific nature and risk of their activities rather than an arbitrary asset threshold. Authorizes the Financial Stability Oversight Council to subject bank holding companies to enhanced supervision and prudential standards by the Federal Reserve if the institution has been identified as a global systemically important bank (G-SIB). Substitutes G-SIB status in place of the current monetary threshold as the determinant for the Federal Reserves heightened authority over certain bank holding company actions. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-tax-reform-legislation-help-arkansas-families House Passes Tax Reform Legislation to Help Arkansas Families 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting in support of the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed the House: The House has achieved a major victory by passing tax reform legislation to help hardworking Arkansas families can keep more of their hard-earned dollars, to bring jobs back home, and to create new jobs. Reforming our broken tax code is about providing better opportunities for our children and grandchildren to succeed and live out their dreams. This bill lowers individual taxes, meaning that hardworking Arkansans can keep more of what they have earned. For the majority of the over 50,000 families in Central Arkansas who claim the child tax credit, they will see this claim go from $1,000 to $2,000 per child. The bill also doubles the standard deduction, eliminating the requirement for some to itemize their taxes and protecting more of what Arkansans earn each year. Right now, almost seven out of ten households in our area take the standard deduction. Even more Arkansas families will now be helped with a simpler tax filing system. For the job creators in the Second District, this bill lowers the corporate rate to 21 percent. This significant reduction from todays marginal rate of 35 percent will help Central Arkansass job creators grow and expand their businesses. Families deserve a simple and fair tax system one that promotes new and better paying jobs. I am excited that, with this bill, the House is delivering on our promise to Arkansans and Americans with a tax code that provides the opportunity and relief they deserve. Background: For more information on the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, click HERE. Go to fairandsimple.gop to learn more. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1512 House Passes Tax Reform Legislation to Help Arkansas Families 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting in support of the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed the House: The House has achieved a major victory by passing tax reform legislation to help hardworking Arkansas families can keep more of their hard-earned dollars, to bring jobs back home, and to create new jobs. Reforming our broken tax code is about providing better opportunities for our children and grandchildren to succeed and live out their dreams. This bill lowers individual taxes, meaning that hardworking Arkansans can keep more of what they have earned. For the majority of the over 50,000 families in Central Arkansas who claim the child tax credit, they will see this claim go from $1,000 to $2,000 per child. The bill also doubles the standard deduction, eliminating the requirement for some to itemize their taxes and protecting more of what Arkansans earn each year. Right now, almost seven out of ten households in our area take the standard deduction. Even more Arkansas families will now be helped with a simpler tax filing system. For the job creators in the Second District, this bill lowers the corporate rate to 21 percent. This significant reduction from today's marginal rate of 35 percent will help Central Arkansas's job creators grow and expand their businesses. Families deserve a simple and fair tax system one that promotes new and better paying jobs. I am excited that, with this bill, the House is delivering on our promise to Arkansans and Americans with a tax code that provides the opportunity and relief they deserve. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1513 Hill Supports Rolling Back Dodd-Frank Flaw 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill Supports Rolling Back Dodd-Frank Flaw f t # e Washington, December 19, 2017 Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting H.R. 3312, the Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017:I am pleased to support this measure to remove one more Dodd-Frank creation that has penalized and burdened our banks through a completely arbitrary asset threshold of $50 billion to designate firms as systemically important financial institutions.' This provision was created by plucking a number out of thin air without regard to the actual business of the institution and in doing so, it gave them a government stamp of too big to fail.' I thank my good friend, Chairman Blaine Luetkemeyer, designing this flawed Dodd-Frank requirement and I look forward to the Senate considering this thoughtful approach to reform. ClickHEREto watch Rep. Hill's speech in support of H.R. 3312 Background: H.R. 3312will do the following: Removes arbitrary thresholds posed by the Dodd-Frank Act to create more flexible and efficient regulation of financial institutions. Removes the $50 billion asset threshold used to automatically designate certain financial institutions as SIFIs. Replaces the arbitrary asset site with enhanced regulatory standards for these financial institutions based upon the specific nature and risk of their activities rather than an arbitrary asset threshold. Authorizes the Financial Stability Oversight Council to subject bank holding companies to enhanced supervision and prudential standards by the Federal Reserve if the institution has been identified as a global systemically important bank (G-SIB). Substitutes G-SIB status in place of the current monetary threshold as the determinant for the Federal Reserve's heightened authority… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/first-time-generation-american-people-will-see-real-tangible-tax-relief “For the First Time in a Generation, the American People Will See Real, Tangible Tax Relief,” Westerman says 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 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) issued the following statement Tuesday (December 19) upon House passage of the conference report on H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: "Tax relief for hardworking Americans is long overdue," Westerman said. "Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will benefit Arkansas families by nearly doubling the standard deduction, doubling the child tax credit, and maintaining tax credits for parents who adopt. It will benefit entrepreneurs by lowering taxes on small businesses and maintaining the federal Historic Tax Credit for the rehabilitation of older, historic buildings. This legislation will put money back in the pockets of Arkansans, drive economic development on Main Streets across the Fourth Congressional District, and support families. For the first time in a generation, the American people will see real, tangible tax relief – something I was proud to deliver for the people of the Fourth District." According to the Tax Foundation, the following provisions are included in the final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:[i] 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399262 House Votes for Historic Tax Reform 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released today the following statement after the House agreed to the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: "For the first time in over three decades, Congress has voted to fundamentally reform our tax code. This bill allows hardworking Americans to keep more of their paycheck, creates jobs and increases wages by making American businesses competitive again, and simplifies a code that has become riddled with loopholes. I commend the work of the Ways and Means Committee and the House majority for keeping its promise to America. Merry Christmas!" Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget. womack.house.gov 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-deutch-cicilline-hill-lead-71-members-pushing-vp-pence-address Reps. Deutch, Cicilline, Hill Lead 71 Members Pushing Vice President Mike Pence to Address Human Rights in Egypt 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Washington -Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Ranking Member Ted Deutch (FL-22), Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), and Congressman French Hill (AR-02) led 71 of their House colleagues in asking Vice President Mike Pence to hold the Egyptian government accountable for systemic human rights violations during a scheduled meeting in Cairo this week. For decades American foreign policy has been based on promotion of our values of freedom, equality, and right to democratic representation. We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with the government and people of Egypt and we very much support this continued relationship, they wrote in a letter signed by 71 Republican and Democratic colleagues, including House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27). However, the close U.S-Egypt relationship is at risk as long as the Government of Egypt engages in widespread violations of internationally recognized civil and human rights. We respectfully ask that you do everything you can to ensure this message is delivered forcefully and regularly to the Egyptian government at all levels, particularly during your visit this month. Vice President Pence is visiting Cairo this week to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The Egyptian government has engaged in mass detentions, attacks on journalists, and efforts to restrict civil society. The full text of the letter sent to Vice President Pence is embedded below. A PDF version of the signed letter can be downloaded by clicking here. ---------------------------------------------------------- The Honorable Mike Pence Vice President Eisenhower Executive Office BuildingWashington, DC 20501 December 18, 2017 Dear Mr. Vice President: We write to you ahead of your upcoming visit to Egypt to raise concerns about recent actions taken by the Egyptian government that constitute a widespread crackdown against civil and human rights. Egypt and the United States have had a long and enduring partnership, predicated on strong milit… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1501 Reps. Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch, Cicilline, Hill Lead 71 Members Pushing Vice President Mike Pence to Address Human Rights in Egypt 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee ChairwomanIleana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Ranking Member Ted Deutch (FL-22), Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01),and Congressman French Hill (AR-02) led 71 of their House colleagues in asking Vice President Mike Pence to hold the Egyptian government accountable for systemic human rights violations during a scheduled meeting in Cairo this week. For decades American foreign policy has been based on promotion of our values of freedom, equality, and right to democratic representation. We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with the government and people of Egypt and we very much support this continued relationship, they wrote in a letter signed by 71 Republican and Democratic colleagues, including House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27). However, the close U.S-Egypt relationship is at risk as long as the Government of Egypt engages in widespread violations of internationally recognized civil and human rights. We respectfully ask that you do everything you can to ensure this message is delivered forcefully and regularly to the Egyptian government at all levels, particularly during your visit this month. Vice President Pence is visiting Cairo this week to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The Egyptian government has engaged in mass detentions, attacks on journalists, and efforts to restrict civil society. The full text of the letter sent to Vice President Pence is embedded below. A PDF version of the signed letter can be downloaded byclicking here. ---------------------------------------------------------- The Honorable Mike Pence Vice President Eisenhower Executive Office Building Washington, DC 20501 December 18, 2017 Dear Mr. Vice President: We write to you ahead of your upcoming visit to Egypt to raise concerns about recent actions taken by the Egyptian government that constitute a widespread crackdown against civil and human rights. Egypt and the United St… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/dr-boozman-s-check-up?ContentRecord_id=D010184A-5529-4AF8-94AA-621D7A4900EF Commissioning of USS Little Rock 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Despite the cold weather in Buffalo, New York, there was a warm welcome for the USS Little Rock, its crew and Arkansans who traveled to celebrate the commissioning of the Freedom-class littoral combat ship on Saturday.Its been more than four decades since the Navy had a ship named after the City of Little Rock, and it is an honor to have one its more versatile warships named after our states capital city.Watch the historic commissioning. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=8099D845-95C2-4283-BF4B-C5AA48C65F14 Commissioning of the USS Little Rock 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Little Rock Office 1401 W. Capitol Ave., Suite 155 Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 372-7153 Fax: (501) 372-7163 DC Office Info Email Me 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=4D924B82-F02C-4525-80B8-26D7F8611ECF End the Diversity Visa Lottery 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy The bombing at New York Citys Port Authority is the second terrorist attack in the Big Apple in as many months. These are reminders that our homeland continues to be the target of violence by individuals who are intent on threatening our nation and its ideals. While the methods our enemies use continue to change, we must ensure our national security officials are able to stay one step ahead of these evolving dangers. Our national security is the number one responsibility of the federal government. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, Im pushing for the necessary resources to meet the needs of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and advocating for policies that safeguard American soil. The recent attacks make it clear that we need to improve our immigration policies to reflect the fact that we face very real threats. That begins with eliminating the Diversity Visa program. This lottery system is based on random chance rather than merit-based criteria which allows citizens of certain countries to attain permanent resident status in the U.S. This is how Uzbekistan native Sayfullo Saipov, accused of attacking innocent people on a New York City bicycle path on Halloween, legally entered our country. The alleged terrorist who attacked the New York Port Authority six weeks later, Akayed Ullah, was also a beneficiary of the Diversity Visa program. He was permitted to enter the U.S. in 2011 because a relative, who won a visa through the lottery, sponsored family to immigrate to the country through a process known as chain migration. A 2007 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report raised concerns about potential security risks because of the Diversity Visa programs vulnerability to fraud. The State Departments Office of Inspector General reported in 2013 about an investigation that produced a detailed portrait of [a] pervasive and sophisticated fraud scheme" affecting the program in Ukraine. The alarms have been sounding for more than a decade, but the recent terror attac… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=854 Cotton Statement on the President's National Security Strategy 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 18, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the President's national-security strategy: "The president's national-security strategy is a clear-eyed assessment of the threats we face and what it will take to confront them. I also applaud the president for committing to rebuild our military. Any strategy, to be successful, will depend on our having a military that's second to none. After eight years of neglect, there's much we need to do, but I'm confident the president is determined to build the best-trained, the best-equipped, and the best-led military in the world." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399256 Relief for State - Tax reform to aid Arkansans 2017-12-16 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Fulfilling our promise of a fair and simple tax code is a top priority in Congress. For decades, tax season has brought unnecessary stress and anxiety on families across our state and nation. People are spending over six billion hours and $168 billion annually to file their returns with a total of 90 percent of taxpayers being forced to hire a tax professional. On Nov. 16, we supported and passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the House, while the Senate passed its version on Dec. 2. For the first time in more than three decades, Congress voted to move forward with tax-reform legislation. This crucial reform would jump-start the economy, give hardworking families a break, and make the United States more competitive worldwide. Now, both chambers are in a conference committee--a place where selected members of both bodies meet to reconcile the differences between their respective tax reform bills. The goal of the conference is to agree on a final tax proposal that reforms America's out-of-date tax code, lowers and simplifies taxes for working families, and boosts economic growth--all of which lead to more jobs and higher wages here in Arkansas. As your representatives, our objective is to keep key provisions in the final bill that allow families and individuals to invest in themselves. We believe Arkansans know how best to spend their hard-earned dollars, not Washington. Our goal is to see lower individual tax rates, an increase to the standard deduction, and the elimination of Washington-generated loopholes. With nearly 77 percent of Arkansans taking the standard deduction, doubling the amount would put more money in the pockets of citizens across the Natural State. We are hopeful key provisions in the House bill will be included in the final version. For example, our bill would allow a typical Arkansas family to keep an additional $2,020 of their income. According to the Tax Foundation, it would also create 8,277 new full-time jobs across the state. In addition, we want to ensure an increase in the child tax… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=853 Cotton Statement on NLRB's Overturning of Browning-Ferris 2017-12-15 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 15, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the National Labor Relations Board's decision to overturn the controversial Browning-Ferris decision: "I'm glad to see the NLRB overturn this ruling, as I called for back in 2015. Keeping Browning-Ferris on the books would've resulted in fewer jobs for working Arkansans and made it that much harder for the nearly 10,000 franchises in our state to grow. This decision is a good step toward more commonsense regulation and will give our state's franchises the flexibility they need to expand." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-supports-bills-use-tools-stop-terrorism Hill Supports Bills to Use Tools to Stop Terrorism 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting two pieces of legislation to provide stronger oversight over Iran’s financial transactions in an effort to stop Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism: “I am pleased that, as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I have the opportunity work on legislation that has a direct effect on the safety and protection of Arkansas and American families. This rogue regime poses one of the greatest threats to our nation and allies. These two bills help stop the flow of funds to Iran - known as the foremost sponsor of terrorism and a habitual money launderer. We will continue to assess how we can change laws to block money used to finance terrorism. Through the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act, we also expand awareness of the corruption of the Iranian Mullahs and Military.” Click here to watch Rep. Hill’s floor speech in support of H.R. 4324. Background: The Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act, H.R. 1638, requires the Secretary of the Department of Treasury to publically maintain a list estimating the “funds and assets” of senior Iranian political and military leaders, along with a description of how they acquired the assets and how those assets are employed. The Strengthening Oversight of Iran’s Access to Finance Act, H.R. 4324, requires the Treasury Secretary to submit a report to Congress regarding financial transactions authorized in connection with commercial passenger aircrafts sales to Iran. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1500 Hill Supports Bills to Use Tools to Stop Terrorism 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting two pieces of legislation to provide stronger oversight over Iran's financial transactions in an effort to stop Iran's sponsorship of terrorism: I am pleased that, as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I have the opportunity work on legislation that has a direct effect on the safety and protection of Arkansas and American families. This rogue regime poses one of the greatest threats to our nation and allies. These two bills help stop the flow of funds to Iran - known as the foremost sponsor of terrorism and a habitual money launderer. We will continue to assess how we can change laws to block money used to finance terrorism. Through the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act, we also expand awareness of the corruption of the Iranian Mullahs and Military. Clickhereto watch Rep. Hill's floor speech in support of H.R. 4324. Background: The Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act,H.R. 1638, requires the Secretary of the Department of Treasury to publically maintain a list estimating the funds and assets of senior Iranian political and military leaders, along with a description of how they acquired the assets and how those assets are employed. The Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act,H.R. 4324, requires the Treasury Secretary to submit a report to Congress regarding financial transactions authorized in connection with commercial passenger aircrafts sales to Iran. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-iran-financial-transparency-bills Westerman Statement on Iran Financial Transparency Bills 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Bruce Westerman W000821 westerman.house.gov westerman https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases scraper December 14, 2017 WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) issued the following statement Thursday (December 14) upon passage of H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act, and H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act: "Iran's government and political leaders have long been involved in financial dealings which have sidestepped Western sanctions in order to pad the pockets of the Iran's elite," Westerman said. "Passage of bills requiring transparency regarding the financial activities of Iran and its leaders is paramount if we are to ensure compliance with current sanctions." The following are bill summaries, courtesy of Bloomberg Government: H.R. 1638: The Treasury Department would be required to report to Congress about the total assets held by Iran's most senior political, religious, and military leaders, under H.R. 1638. Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, and supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, are among those whose funds and assets would have to be disclosed in the report. The report would also cover the assets of commanders and deputy commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its branches, members of the Council of Guardians, the minister of intelligence and security, and the head of the Atomic Energy Organization in Iran. H.R. 4324: The Treasury Department would be required to submit a report to Congress on authorized commercial passenger aircraft sales to Iran under H.R. 4324. U.S. sanctions prevented Iran from replacing old aircraft, which have become outdated and unsafe. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- the formal name for the Iran nuclear deal -- committed the U.S. to resume licensing new commercial aircraft sales to Iran for civilian use. The measure would require the Treasury Department to notify Congress of the sales and certify that they don't violate any existing sanctions. 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=851 Cotton Remembers ALS Advocate Thomas Galyon 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 14, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today spoke on the Senate floor about the life of ALS advocate Thomas Galyon of Rogers, Arkansas. You can watch the video in full here. In addition, a full transcript of his remarks is below. Last year, I stood on this floor and said a few words about a fellow Arkansan: Thomas Galyon of Rogers. We had just met to discuss his work with the Arkansas chapter of the National ALS Association. He'd been diagnosed with ALS in 2014, and, never one to let the grass grow under his feet, he'd been a tireless advocate for ALS research ever since then. Well, I'm sorry to report that Tom died last month on November 22. He lived three years after his diagnosis, which is about average these days for people with ALS. And with his death, the national ALS Association lost one of its great champions. Tom was always bursting with energy. He was born in 1946 in Abingdon, Virginia, and graduated from Emory and Henry College. He spent 33 years in the tourism industry, and, after a rather brief and, I must say, failed stint at retirement, he went back to work as the property manager for the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary's in Northwest Arkansas. As luck would have it, the ALS Association was headquartered in that very building, so he could give both organizations his all. When we met last year, Tom asked me to help fix a problem that people with ALS have when applying for disability insurance. There's a five-month waiting period to receive benefits, you see, and though that might be a prudent antifraud measure in many cases, for people with ALS it consumes a lot of their remaining time in this world. So I joined with Senator Whitehouse to sponsor the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act, which would waive the waiting period for people with ALS. Tom's death should be a reminder of the urgent need to defeat this disease and to finally pass this b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=852 Cotton Statement on Iran's Violations of UN Resolution 2231 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 14, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on a new report confirming Iran has repeatedly violated UN resolution 2231 by providing missiles and other illegal arms to the Houthi rebels in Yemen: "We knew Iran was untrustworthy, but this report provides more hard evidence of just how brazen it's become. The ayatollahs feel no compunction about lying to the rest of the world or violating their international commitments. And the Iran deal only served to reward them for their treachery. The administration is to be commended for drawing attention to the ayatollahs' duplicity, and this report should put the free world on notice: If Iran won't abide by its commitments, then we must hold it accountable." UN Ambassador Nikki Haley's official remarks on the report can be read here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-awards-golden-fleece-office-personnel-management-wasteful-spending Hill Awards Golden Fleece to the Office of Personnel Management for Wasteful Spending on Idle Warehouse 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman French Hill (R-AR) named the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as the latest winner of the Golden Fleece award for wasteful spending on an idle data warehouse. OPM has spent over $10 million to build a data warehouse for health claims data from beneficiaries of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), data that OPM does not have, according to a recent Politico article. “For an agency that reveals the misuse of tax dollars within the federal government, OPM missed their own mark by wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on a warehouse to store data they don’t have,” said Rep. Hill. “I question whether OPM should even have access to FEHB beneficiary data after Chinese hackers breached their security system in 2015 and accessed 21.5 million OPM files. I sent a letter to Acting Director of OPM Kathleen McGettigan to raise these concerns with her.” To view the letter sent to Acting Director of OPM Kathleen McGettigan, click here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1499 Hill Awards Golden Fleece to the Office of Personnel Management for Wasteful Spending on Idle Warehouse 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Congressman French Hill (R-AR) named the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as the latest winner of the Golden Fleece award for wasteful spending on an idle data warehouse. OPMhas spent over $10 millionto build a data warehouse for health claims data from beneficiaries of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), data that OPM does not have, according to a recent Politico article. For an agency that reveals the misuse of tax dollars within the federal government, OPM missed their own mark by wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on a warehouse to store data they don't have, said Rep. Hill. I question whether OPM should even have access to FEHB beneficiary data after Chinese hackers breached their security system in 2015 and accessed21.5 million OPM files. I sent a letter to Acting Director of OPM Kathleen McGettigan to raise these concerns with her. To view the letter sent to Acting Director of OPM Kathleen McGettigan, clickhere. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3C6B1B06-35C3-4A59-BCC2-F11763947A01 Boozman Recognizes Service of Veteran Who Broke Barriers at Arkansas Army National Guard 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator John Boozman recognized the service and sacrifice of Chief Warrant Officer (retired) Pamela Huff in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series recognizing the military service of Arkansans. Huff graduated from Little Rock’s Hall High School in 1975. Her cousin was interested in enlisting for the Army National Guard and convinced Huff to join her.    “Believe it or not I signed up for not only the Arkansas Army National Guard but I also signed up for the Air Force, so I said whichever one calls me the first, that’s the way I’m going,” Huff said.  Huff and her cousin went to basic training for the Army National Guard in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Unfortunately, Huff’s cousin had medical issues that prevented her from completing the training. Following basic training, Huff was assigned to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as a dental technician. She used these skills in an Arkansas dentist’s office for a few years before changing careers. Huff was encouraged to explore full-time job opportunities with the Arkansas Army National Guard, something she didn’t know existed. “I applied for a job at Camp Robinson with Combined Support Maintenance Service,” Huff recalled. “The job announcement actually said ‘black hire only.’ All of that was explained to me because of a discrimination suit, so lucky for me that I applied at that time, so I was hired.” She became the second woman to join the department. Huff was inspired to become an officer. She chose to pursue the track of a warrant officer and along the way broke barriers. While she worked toward achieving this rank, ultimately becoming the first female in the Arkansas Army National Guard to obtain the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5), she also became the first black female noncommissioned officer (NCO) instructor at the NCO academy.  During her assignment with the 119th Personnel Service Company, she learned that her unit would be mobilized for the Gulf War with the possibility of deployment to Iraq. In preparat… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=F33C3920-BC21-4FCD-8BFA-B396244D9F17 Tax Reform: One Step Closer 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy It’s the season of giving, and Congress wants to celebrate it by giving you more of your money back. This year, Congress is on track to provide historic tax relief to hardworking Americans by passing the first comprehensive legislation to overhaul our tax code in over 30 years.  Our current tax code makes it difficult to get ahead in today’s economy and to save for the future. That’s why the Senate spent significant time developing a comprehensive tax reform plan that will allow families to keep more of their money rather than send it to Washington. This tax overhaul has been a thorough, years-long process. The Senate Finance Committee has held 70 hearings on how to simplify the tax code and make it fair and more efficient for all Americans. The committee’s working groups created bipartisan solutions that were used to help guide members as they crafted legislation that will lower federal income taxes across the board. I was pleased to support the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because of the relief it will provide to middle-income Arkansans. The standard deduction doubles to $24,000 for married couples. This means that families aren’t subject to federal income tax for the first $24,000 they make. Similarly, the standard deduction increases to $18,000 for single parents. The Senate plan also doubles the child tax credit to $2,000. These improvements will help families keep more of their hard-earned money to help make ends meet or save for the future.  According to the Tax Foundation’s state-by-state analysis, the Senate bill will add 7,800 new full-time jobs to the Arkansas economy and middle-income Arkansas families would see a $2,020 increase in income.  In addition to providing relief to the middle-class, this update to our tax code will help grow the economy. The bill permanently reduces the corporate tax rate, currently the highest in the developed world. The lower corporate tax rate will make American businesses more competitive and keep well-paying jobs here at home. It will also help small businesses expand, i… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=850 Cotton Honors the Memory of Capt. Thomas J. Hudner and Col. Wesley L. Fox 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 13, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today spoke on the Senate floor about the lives of Medal of Honor recipients Capt. Thomas J. Hudner and Col. Wesley L. Fox. You can watch the video in full here. In addition, a full transcript of his remarks is below. A month ago, we lost another Medal of Honor recipient, Capt. Thomas J. Hudner, who died at the ripe old age of 93. And not long after, we lost a second one, Col. Wesley L. Fox, who died at the distinguished age of 86. Two different men who led two different lives-each equally deserving of praise and honor. But I can't help but wonder if there's a reason their deaths came so suddenly and close together. It's almost as if our Lord took them in one fell swoop, so the greater loss would inspire greater gratitude for their sacrifice. What Captain Hudner of the U.S. Navy did to earn his medal is remarkable for the simple fact that he could've been court-martialed for doing it. It was December 1950, in Korea. Just days before, the Chinese People's Liberation Army had crossed the Yalu River and thrown back U.S. forces on the cusp of victory. Then-lieutenant Hudner was a naval aviator, flying one of six Navy Corsairs near the Chosin Reservoir, five miles behind enemy lines, when he saw his squadron mate, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, get hit by enemy fire and crash-land on a snowy mountainside. What Lieutenant Hudner probably should've done is stick to the plan; what he did instead was an act of pure bravery. He intentionally crash-landed his plane not far from Ensign Brown's and tried to rescue him from the burning wreckage-all in subzero temperatures. But Ensign Brown was trapped, his knee was crushed between the fuselage and the control panel. When help arrived, their hatchet couldn't hack through the plane's metal, and no one could get close enough to amputate his leg. They had to leave him behind. Ensign Brown's last wo… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-signs-law-supporting-arkansas-military-and-families President Signs Law Supporting Arkansas Military and Families 2017-12-12 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON –  Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law: “I appreciate President Trump signing into law a bill that continues our support for Arkansans - and their families - serving in our nation’s military. This is the fifty-fourth consecutive year that Congress has worked in a bipartisan fashion to ensure funding for vital functions of our armed forces. This includes more than $200 million for modernization for the C-130 Hercules fleet, which is the backbone of our Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard airmen and airwomen at Little Rock Air Force Base. It also gives our military personnel a much-deserved 2.4 percent pay increase. Our military is the most effective military in the world, and our brave men and women in uniform deserve the funding, tools, and support to successfully complete their strategic missions around the globe.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1498 President Signs Law Supporting Arkansas Military and Families 2017-12-12 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy President Signs Law Supporting Arkansas Military and Families f t # e Washington, December 12, 2017 Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law: I appreciate President Trump signing into law a bill that continues our support for Arkansans - and their families - serving in our nation's military. This is the fifty-fourth consecutive year that Congress has worked in a bipartisan fashion to ensure funding for vital functions of our armed forces. This includes more than $200 million for modernization for the C-130 Hercules fleet, which is the backbone of our Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard airmen and airwomen at Little Rock Air Force Base. It also gives our military personnel a much-deserved 2.4 percent pay increase. Our military is the most effective military in the world, and our brave men and women in uniform deserve the funding, tools, and support to successfully complete their strategic missions around the globe. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399243 House Lawmakers introduce the CERTIFY Heroes Act 2017-12-12 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON– Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3)— joined by Representatives John Carter (TX-31), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5), Steve Russell (OK-5), and Sanford Bishop (GA-2)— today introduced the Credentialing, Educating, and Relevant Training Initiative For Your (CERTIFY) Heroes Act.  This legislation will permit individuals who are eligible for the Department of Defense tuition assistance program (TA) to use their benefit for licensing, credentialing, and certification programs offered by entities other than an institution of higher education. Upon introduction, the sponsors released the following statement: “The members of our Armed Forces deserve nothing short of the best, and we should provide them with the resources necessary for success once they return to civilian life. The CERTIFY Heroes Act will allow active duty men and women who are unable to attend a four-year college to pursue more than 1,500 different licenses, certifications, and credentials using TA. This bill makes clear the House’s priority to not only equip our servicemembers for their future, but also to give our nation’s workforce the best we have to offer.”                  The text of the bill can be found here.    Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.   womack.house.gov                                                                  ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-introduces-bill-prevent-bailouts-government-sponsored-enterprises Hill Introduces Bill to Prevent Bailouts of Government-Sponsored Enterprises 2017-12-11 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) introduced H.R. 4560, the GSE Jumpstart Reauthorization Act of 2017. This legislation would extend an existing prohibition while preventing the U.S. Treasury Department from selling its Government-Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) preferred shares. It also would require the GSEs to pay dividends to the Treasury Department prior to making payments to the Housing Trust Fund for that year. “By allowing the GSEs to retain earnings is beside the point,” said. Rep. Hill. “The U.S. Treasury still backs the GSEs with a line of credit standing at over $250 billion and, while Fannie and Freddie remain in conservatorship, the taxpayers continue to be on the hook. Rather than increasing taxpayer exposure by withholding money, it is time to mandate that the GSEs pay their bills to taxpayers before growing this Trust Fund.” Background Information: H.R. 4560, introduced December 6, 2017, would do the following: Extends the S. 1217, GSE Jumpstart language in the 2015 Omnibus for one year through December 1, 2019. This provision prevents Treasury from selling its GSE Senior Preferred shares and its warrant for 79.9 percent of the GSEs’ common shares.  Expands the current provision in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) that states the Federal Housing Finance Authority “shall temporarily suspend” GSE payments to the Housing Trust Fund if it thinks those payments would weaken their finances. The bill adds a second provision to HERA, which says that if the GSEs fail to pay their any of their dividends to Treasury in a year then FHFA must prohibit payments to the Housing Trust Fund for that entire fiscal year. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1497 Hill Introduces Bill to Prevent Bailouts of Government-Sponsored Enterprises 2017-12-11 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Congressman French Hill (AR-02) introduced H.R. 4560, the GSE Jumpstart Reauthorization Act of 2017. This legislation would extend an existing prohibition while preventing the U.S. Treasury Department from selling its Government-Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) preferred shares. It also would require the GSEs to pay dividends to the Treasury Department prior to making payments to the Housing Trust Fund for that year. By allowing the GSEs to retain earnings is beside the point, said. Rep. Hill. The U.S. Treasury still backs the GSEs with a line of credit standing at over $250 billion and, while Fannie and Freddie remain in conservatorship, the taxpayers continue to be on the hook. Rather than increasing taxpayer exposure by withholding money, it is time to mandate that the GSEs pay their bills to taxpayers before growing this Trust Fund. Background Information: H.R. 4560, introduced December 6, 2017, would do the following: Extends the S. 1217, GSE Jumpstart language in the 2015 Omnibus for one year through December 1, 2019. This provision prevents Treasury from selling its GSE Senior Preferred shares and its warrant for 79.9 percent of the GSEs' common shares. Expands the current provision in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) that states the Federal Housing Finance Authority shall temporarily suspend GSE payments to the Housing Trust Fund if it thinks those payments would weaken their finances. The bill adds a second provision to HERA, which says that if the GSEs fail to pay their any of their dividends to Treasury in a year then FHFA must prohibit payments to the Housing Trust Fund for that entire fiscal year. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=849 'A Foreign Policy for Jacksonian America' 2017-12-11 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 11, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 A Foreign Policy for ‘Jacksonian America'Jason WillickWall Street Journal Washington At 40, Tom Cotton of Arkansas is the youngest member of the U.S. Senate. He was called a young man in a hurry four years ago when he announced, during his first and only term in the House, that he would challenge the incumbent senator, Mark Pryor. Now there is talk President Trump may nominate him to lead the Central Intelligence Agency as part of a national-security shake-up. Admirers have also suggested he is presidential timber. I met Mr. Cotton this week in his Capitol Hill office to explore his foreign-policy thinking. What emerged was the outline of a coherent if contentious worldview-one might even call it a doctrine-that begins with a sense that U.S. foreign policy has been adrift for a quarter-century. "The coalitions of the Cold War rapidly began to break down as soon as the Soviet Union dissolved," Mr. Cotton says. That first became clear during the debate over the Balkan wars of the Clinton years. "You had some Cold War hawks that were all of a sudden sounding like doves," Mr. Cotton says, referring to conservatives who'd been staunchly anti-Soviet but were wary of U.S. involvement in what was then Yugoslavia. "You had Cold War doves"-including the liberal humanitarians of the Clinton administration-"that were beginning to sound like Teddy Roosevelt, ready to charge up the hill. That pattern consistently repeated itself" in subsequent years. When it comes to America's present challenges-from Iran to North Korea, China to Russia, Syria to Ukraine-Mr. Cotton, a conservative Republican, is squarely on Team Roosevelt. "There is always a military option," he says. "That is the case everywhere in the world." But he believes that the lack of a clear organizing principle for how and when to use that power has knocked America's global strategy off kilter. It also has … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=847 Cotton Statement on China's Threat to Invade Taiwan 2017-12-11 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 11, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement after a senior Chinese diplomat threatened to invade Taiwan: "I take Beijing's threats to use military force against Taiwan seriously. That's why I urge both the president and Congress to accelerate the sale of defensive weapons to Taiwan, as well as to bring Taiwan into joint military exercises with the United States. We can't afford to take Beijing's saber-rattling lightly." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=AC5AEBA8-320E-4EA6-9D02-C56F0FE3EE0E Boozman Leads Call for Nationwide Review of VA Providers in Light of USA Today Report 2017-12-08 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—A bipartisan group of U.S. senators are calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a nationwide review of its providers after a USA Today investigation found multiple providers hired by the Department had at least one state medical license revoked due to malpractice. In a letter to VA Secretary David Shulkin authored by Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), the senators presented a series of questions.  “For years, states have experienced provider shortages across many different medical specialties, and like the private sector healthcare industry, the VA has faced similar provider shortages,” the senators wrote to Shulkin. “As such, we request information about the VA’s oversight of provider hiring guidelines to ensure that the pressure to fill shortages has not led to insufficient health care quality controls.”  In addition to Boozman, the letter was signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Full text of the letter can be found here and below: December 8, 2017 The Honorable David Shulkin Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20420-0001 Dear Secretary Shulkin: We write to express our serious concerns regarding recent media reports suggesting that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers employment to medical practitioners with a known history of licensure revocation by a state medical licensing board. The national reporting also highlighted cases of the VA hiring providers with known conduct and performance deficiencies that resulted in sanctions and criminal charges of the individuals.  For years, states have experienced provider shortages across many different medical specialties, and like the private sector healthcare industry, the VA has faced similar provider shortages. For states, su… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=846 Cotton Statement on Palestinian Protests in Jerusalem 2017-12-08 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 8, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the Palestinian riots in the wake of the United States's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel: "What today's protests show is there would be less violence in the region if the Palestinian Authority didn't promote it-whether by design or inaction. Whatever their policy disagreements with the Israeli government, the PA and Fatah have the responsibility to prevent this violence from escalating any further. And the United States will never accept a 'rioter's veto' against our policies." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-s-statement-two-week-government-spending-bill Hills Statement on Two-week Government Spending Bill 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting to fund the federal government through December 22, 2017: “We’ve already done our job in the House by passing all twelve government funding bills this year, but the Senate hasn’t done their job by passing any of them. In addition to these twelve funding bills, the House has also successfully passed reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and reauthorized the critically important funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). “I have said it many times and I will say it again, Continuing Resolutions are no way to govern. They particularly punish our men and women in uniform who are actively engaged around the world protecting America’s interests. We must ensure our military, federal agencies, and other key government entities have the resources they need to fulfill their duties and serve hardworking Arkansans and Americans.” Background: Click here for more information on the Continuing Appropriations Act, H.J.Res.123. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1496 Hills Statement on Two-week Government Spending Bill 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting to fund the federal government through December 22, 2017: We've already done our job in the House by passing all twelve government funding bills this year, but the Senate hasn't done their job bypassing any of them. In addition to these twelve funding bills, the House has also successfully passed reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and reauthorized the critically important funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program(CHIP). I have said it many times and I will say it again, Continuing Resolutions are no way to govern. They particularly punish our men and women in uniform who are actively engaged around the world protecting America's interests. We must ensure our military, federal agencies, and other key government entities have the resources they need to fulfill their duties and serve hardworking Arkansans and Americans. Background: Clickherefor more information on the Continuing Appropriations Act, H.J.Res.123. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-condemns-ethnic-cleansing-burma Westerman Condemns Ethnic Cleansing in Burma 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 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) issued the following statement Thursday (December 7) in support of H.Con.Res. 90, condemning ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and calling for an end to the attacks in and an immediate restoration of humanitarian access to the state of Rakhine in Burma. The concurrent resolution passed the House Wednesday (December 6). "No group should ever be targeted for elimination based on their religious beliefs," Westerman said. "America must speak with a loud, unified voice and say the targeting of civilians by Burmese security forces is immoral and unjust. This resolution is direct - Burmese Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing must end attacks on civilians in the state of Rakhine. I pray for those caught in this violence and those seeking refuge in neighboring Bangladesh." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399240 Two-Week Continuing Resolution Passes House 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON– Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today released the following statement after the House voted in favor of a short-term funding extension:  “This afternoon, I voted in favor of the short-term continuing resolution (CR) that will fund our government through December 22. I have often noted that I don’t like this kind of legislating, and I am disappointed that we have come to this point as a Congress. I prefer we handle funding the government separate from other contentious issues, as originally intended, but the short-term CR is necessary for the House to reach an all-important deal on spending levels, particularly for our nation’s defense. I am hopeful this resolution will give Congress time to establish a path forward to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.”   Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget. womack.house.gov                                                                  ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=70345B23-0A91-47D4-9A08-76C6F47A7322 Boozman Presses for Extension of Secure Rural Schools Program 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined a group of senators in sending a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), urging them to include a reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program in any end-of-year legislation. SRS supports public schools, public roads, forest health projects, emergency services and many other essential county services for more than 775 counties across the country including 27 in Arkansas.  The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015, and has not been reauthorized. Forest counties and schools received their last authorized SRS payment in 2016. Without the SRS program, existing revenue-sharing payments are not sufficient to support the critical services that these counties must provide.  The Senators wrote: “The SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies.  “In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools in any end-of-the-year legislation. We appreciate your assistance with this matter.”  Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) led the bipartisan letter that in addition to Boozman was signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Dean Heller (R-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joe Manchin III (D-WV), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jeffery A. Merkley (D-OR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=845 Cotton Statement on HUD Reversal of PACE Loan Policy 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 7, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the decision by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to stop insuring new mortgages on homes with PACE assessments: "I commend Secretary Carson for acting on my request from earlier this year and reversing this dangerous policy. We shouldn't allow PACE lenders to come before taxpayers. Instead, we should help homeowners by requiring greater disclosure for residential PACE loans. Secretary Carson's decision today is a good down payment on that effort, and I applaud the administration for protecting homeowners and taxpayers alike." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/cross-county-high-school-team-wins-ar-1-congressional-app-challenge Cross County High School Team Wins AR-1 Congressional App Challenge 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Eric A. "Rick" Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov crawford https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases scraper December 6, 2017 Cherry Valley, Ark. – Each year, students from across the country submit their app ideas for their district's Congressional App Challenge. Today, Congressman Rick Crawford announced that out of 33 applicants, a group of students from Cross County High School is the winner of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for Arkansas' 1st Congressional District. Isabella Guerrero, Anastacia Guerrero, Logan Turner, Caroline Ward, and their instructor, Jason Blake, created the ROA Calculator to assist individuals and companies who need to quickly calculate their return on assets. Blake was contacted by a national corporation and was asked if students could create an app to help the corporation's customers determine their return on assets. The students evaluated excel spreadsheets provided by the corporation that contained several cost variables in order to create the proper equation that would output the return on assets for each specific client. "I am very impressed by the ROA Calculator app created by the students from Cross County High School. These individuals are incredibly talented and prove why STEM education is so important in providing value in today's economic landscape. Their app will be able to help business owners and individuals," said Congressman Rick Crawford. This is the second year a group from Cross County High School has been selected as the winner of the Congressional App Challenge. "Creating this app, students were able to work with a client to experience how their coding skills could be used to solve real problems and they were able to develop soft skills needed beyond the classroom," said Jason Blake. In Arkansas, there are 1,601 open computing jobs and there are only 328 computer science graduates in the state currently. Additionally, 71 percent of new STEM jobs involve computer science. Contact: James Arnold (202) 679-4346 ### 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z
https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398532 Cross County High School Team Wins AR-1 Congressional App Challenge 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Rick Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov     legacy Cross County High School Team Wins AR-1 Congressional App Challenge f t # e Cherry Valley, Ark., December 6, 2017 Cherry Valley, Ark. – Each year, students from across the country submit their app ideas for their district’s Congressional App Challenge. Today, Congressman Rick Crawford announced that out of 33 applicants, a group of students from Cross County High School is the winner of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District. Isabella Guerrero, Anastacia Guerrero, Logan Turner, Caroline Ward, and their instructor, Jason Blake, created the ROA Calculator to assist individuals and companies who need to quickly calculate their return on assets. A picture of Crawford and the winning team is attached.   Blake was contacted by the Fastenal Corporation, the largest fastener disruptor in North America, and was asked to create an app to help Fastenal customers determine their return on assets. The students evaluated excel spreadsheets provided by Fastenal that contained several cost variables in order to create the proper equation that would output the return on assets for each specific client.   “I am very impressed by the ROA Calculator app created by the students from Cross County High School. These individuals are incredibly talented and prove why STEM education is so important in providing value in today’s economic landscape. Their app will be able to help business owners and individuals working with Fastenal,” said Congressman Rick Crawford.    This is the second year a group from Cross County High School has been selected as the winner of the Congressional App Challenge.   “Creating this app, students were able to work with a client to experience how their coding skills could be used to solve real problems and they were able to develop soft skills needed… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-our-right-bear-arms-should-extend-across-state-lines Hill: Our Right to Bear Arms Should Extend Across State Lines 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting for legislation that upholds the Second Amendment:  “The right to bear arms is firmly established by our Constitution, and that right should extend across state lines. After being robbed twice and fearing for her and her children’s safety, Shaneen Allen obtained her concealed carry permit in Pennsylvania and legally purchased a firearm. When she traveled from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, she was stopped by a State Trooper and told him she had a firearm on her person and a concealed carry permit. Shaneen was then arrested on lawful weapons charges and resided in jail for 48 days. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pardoned her two years later. “From day one, I strongly supported this common sense legislation that allows law-abiding citizens like Shaneen with concealed carry permits to travel from state to state with their legally-obtained firearms. This bill clarifies the disarray of concealed carry reciprocity agreements between states, and it does not alter or change any local laws. Every person who wants to buy a firearm in America would still have to go through a thorough federal background check. We’ve taken a great step in the House today to preserve Arkansans’ and Americans’ right to bear arms. I was proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, and I am committed to upholding our Second Amendment rights.” To view myth vs. fact, click HERE. Background: The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, H.R. 38, does the following: Grants reciprocity to U.S. law-abiding citizens with concealed carry permits who are in other states that also issue concealed carry permits. A qualified individual must: (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid concealed carry permit issued by, or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in, his or her state of residence. Maintains states’ rights to determine permitting requirements and allows c… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1495 Hill: Our Right to Bear Arms Should Extend Across State Lines 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill: Our Right to Bear Arms Should Extend Across State Lines f t # e Washington, December 6, 2017 Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting for legislation that upholds the Second Amendment: The right to bear arms is firmly established by our Constitution, and that right should extend across state lines. After being robbed twice and fearing for her and her children's safety, Shaneen Allen obtained her concealed carry permit in Pennsylvania and legally purchased a firearm. When she traveled from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, she was stopped by a State Trooper and told him she had a firearm on her person and a concealed carry permit. Shaneen was then arrested on lawful weapons charges and resided in jail for 48 days. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pardoned her two years later. From day one, I strongly supported this common sense legislation that allows law-abiding citizens like Shaneen with concealed carry permits to travel from state to state with their legally-obtained firearms. This bill clarifies the disarray of concealed carry reciprocity agreements between states, and itdoes not alter or change any local laws.Every person who wants to buy a firearm in America would still have to go through a thorough federal background check. We've taken a great step in the House today to preserve Arkansans' and Americans' right to bear arms. I was proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, and I am committed to upholding our Second Amendment rights. To view myth vs. fact, clickHERE. Background: The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act,H.R. 38, does the following: Grants reciprocity to U.S. law-abiding citizens with concealed carry permits who are in other states that also issue concealed carry permits. A qualified individual must: (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or rece… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/individual-right-bear-arms-strengthened-concealed-carry-reciprocity-act Individual Right to Bear Arms Strengthened by Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, Westerman Says 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 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) issued the following statement Wednesday (December 6) upon passage of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017: "When you received your driver's license, there were no restrictions for driving in another state," Westerman said. "Your driver's license allows you to drive in any other state or territory because you passed a written test and a driving test administered by the state of Arkansas. Just as your driver's license ensures the right to drive in other states, a concealed carry permit should also grant the right to lawfully carry in any other state without the threat of prosecution. Shaneen Allen, a 27-year-old from Philadelphia who was twice robbed and beaten, obtained her Pennsylvania concealed carry. But she was stopped in New Jersey and faced five years in prison because she was carrying. This should not have happened and the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act will prevent it in the future. This common-sense legislation is supported by a variety of groups, including the National Rifle Association, National Gun Owners Association, and 73 percent of Americans. I was proud to support national concealed carry reciprocity and I will continue to stand for the 2nd Amendment in Congress." In reporting the bill, the Committee on the Judiciary included H.R. 4477, the Fix NCIS Act of 2017, sponsored by Texas Republican Congressman John Culberson. His office reports the bill would: 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399239 Womack Backs Reciprocity for Concealed Carry 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Womack Backs Reciprocity for Concealed Carry f t # e Washington, December 6, 2017 WASHINGTON– Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act: “This newly reworked legislation clears up confusion for law enforcement and law abiding concealed carry permit holders while it also strengthens the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This bill will hold federal and state officials accountable by ensuring they report criminal history records to NICS, without at all expanding the ranks of those barred. Additionally, it will require the Bureau of Justice Statistics to inform Congress how many times a bump stock has been used to commit a crime – an accessory reported to be used in the Las Vegas massacre. I cosponsored this legislation because I believe in protecting the constitutional rights of American citizens to own a firearm, and I understand the vital responsibility to ensure that right is only enjoyed by those who abide by the letter of the law.”   Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget. womack.house.gov                                                                  ###   f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=817898B0-54E7-467A-9D89-A238EA1D927E Boozman Applauds Announcement that U.S. Will Recognize Jerusalem as Israels Capital 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after President Trump announced the United States will recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. Embassy to the city: “This is a long overdue decision that I, and a majority of my colleagues in Congress, have been calling for in the decades since the law was passed. I applaud President Trump for making the historic determination to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and for pledging to move our embassy there. During the announcement, President Trump reaffirmed our commitment to a process that brings lasting peace to the region. Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in no way weakens our resolve to achieve peace through direct talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=844 Cotton Statement on the President's Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 6, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel: "The president has rightly acknowledged the plain truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, as it has always been, and the only way to secure a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians is to build upon a foundation of truth. Twenty-two years ago, President Clinton signed into law a statute, passed with bipartisan support, that declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Even so, Israel was the only country in the world whose capital the State Department refused to recognize. Today's decision corrects this glaring discrepancy, and I'm glad to see President Trump right this wrong." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-introduces-bill-increase-arkansas-banks-ability-extend-credit Hill Introduces Bill to Increase Arkansas Banks Ability to Extend Credit 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) introduced the Community Bank Access to Capital Act of 2017, which further increases the ability of community banks in Arkansas and across the Nation to extend credit to hardworking Arkansans and Americans. Rep. Hill issued the following statement: “Having spent two decades in community banking in Arkansas, I understand the importance of being able to extend credit to hardworking Arkansans. This bill attempts to relieve community banks from excessive and unnecessary regulatory burdens with the intent of improving their ability to extend credit in hometown communities across Arkansas and the Nation. I am pleased to have worked with my colleague, Representative David Scott (D-GA), to take the first step in improving our community banks’ ability to lend.” Background Information: The Community Bank Access to Capital Act of 2017 would do the following: Exempt community banks with $50 billion or less in assets from the Basel III capital rules. Increase the Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement qualifying asset threshold from $1 billion to $3 billion. Exempt publicly held community banks with less than $1 billion in assets from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act’s internal control attestation requirements. Preserve current Securities and Exchange Commission rules regarding the definition of “unaccredited investor.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=605930A9-62BD-47BD-B16F-CA79DD3ADF59 Boozman Votes to Confirm Nielsen as Secretary of Homeland Security 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after voting to confirm Kirstjen Nielson to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): “Securing our nation from the many threats we face is one of Washington’s most important responsibilities. I am confident that Kirstjen Nielsen has the experience, knowledge & leadership skills to serve our nation in this extremely challenging capacity. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I look forward to working closely with Ms. Nielsen and her team to ensure that Congress is giving DHS all the support it needs.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=E51017C7-8582-4C01-B6D3-CCB8703CFC94 Fighting Hunger During the Holiday Season 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy As we gather with family, friends and loved ones over the holiday season, we often find ourselves feeling both thankful for our blessings and wanting to help others less fortunate. Since much of our traditional celebrating during this time of the year revolves around gathering for meals, the desire to help those in need of a meal is on the forefront of our minds. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released its annual report on household food security which shows that the vast majority of American households had consistent, dependable access to enough food for each family member to lead an active, healthy life. The USDA report shows promising trends. The number of people struggling with hunger declined to its lowest level in a decade; reliance on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dropped to its lowest level since July 2010; and, as a credit to the work of many dedicated Arkansans, our state was among those that made the biggest strides in combating hunger.  However, any number short of one hundred percent food secure households means that we still have work to do. According to the USDA report, 12.3 percent of American households were food insecure at least some time during 2016, including 4.9 percent with very low food security. USDA defines food insecure household as those where “the food intake of one or more household members was reduced and their eating patterns were disrupted because the household lacked money and other resources for obtaining food.” As a co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, a bipartisan coalition committed to fighting hunger and food insecurity, I am working with my colleagues—as well as public and private organizations—to build on the progress we have made on this issue both at home and abroad. Hunger knows no borders. As a nation, we can be proud of the leading role the U.S. takes in coordinating relief with non-governmental organizations and our international partners like the World Food Program (WFP) to help those in dire need of food. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=843 Cotton Calls Democrats' Bluff on Immigration on Senate Floor 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 5, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 I want to associate myself with much of what my Republican colleagues have said about the immigration bill we're working on. Or perhaps I should say, to be more accurate, the immigration bill we should be working on. Because the Democrats at this point simply will not take yes for an answer. We're offering a package that they should support and in return they're threatening to shut down the government. So let me just dispense off the top with their argument, such as it is, about the so-called DACA recipients. No one is eager to deport 690,000 illegal immigrants who are here mostly through no fault of their own. They were left in legal limbo by President Obama, and everyone wants to find a good, durable, long-term solution. But if we're going to give legal status to these illegal immigrants in their 20s and their 30s, we have to recognize there are going to be negative side effects. First, you're going to encourage parents from around the world who live in poverty and oppression and war to illegally immigrate to our country with small children. What could be more dangerous and even immoral than that? And second, you're going to create a whole new category of Americans who could get legal status for their extended family to include the very parents who brought them here in violation of our laws. We often hear that children ought not pay for the crimes of their parents. That may be so, but surely parents can pay for the crimes of the parents. They are the ones who created the situation in the first place. Now, I offered legislation with Senator Perdue earlier this year called the RAISE Act. It had many features in it to replace unskilled and low-skilled immigration with high-skilled immigration, to limit chain migration, to reform our refugee program, and eliminate our diversity lottery. This Congress needs to take up our legislation and pass it. But today I w… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=841 Cotton Statement on the Expulsion of Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 5, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the International Olympic Committee's decision to expel Russia from the 2018 Winter Games: "I commend the International Olympic Committee for protecting the integrity of the Olympic Games from sordid Russian doping schemes. Of course, cheating on this scale could only occur in Russia with Vladimir Putin's approval and the support of his intelligence services and Ministry of Sport. This punishment, while unprecedented, is appropriate and fitting. Putin's scheme to steal gold medals from deserving athletes around the world was merely another way to distract his own people from Russia's failing economy and his corrupt and repressive rule. Instead, Russia's expulsion from the Olympic Games now highlights the corruption at the black heart of the Kremlin." Background: Senator Cotton has long advocated for the Olympic Committee to punish Russia for its doping activities. He released this statement after a former conspirator came forward about a Russian doping scheme. And in July 2016 he urged the Olympic Committee to punish Russia after the World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed those allegations, saying in part, "It is pathetic that Putin felt the need to cheat at the Sochi Olympics, and it is pathetic to watch him play dumb today and shift blame by suspending lower-level officials." Click here to read that statement in full. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=842 Republican Senators Author Plan to Resolve DACA Situation, Improve Integrity & Confidence in Immigration System 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 5, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and several of his Republican colleagues today joined Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in introducing legislation to protect and provide certainty to DACA recipients, and improve the lawful immigration system by targeting illegal immigration and criminal aliens. The Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts, (SECURE) Act contains provisions from several immigration proposals, including Senator Dick Durbin's (D-Ill.) bipartisan BRIDGE Act, which protects DACA recipients from deportation. The SECURE Act is also cosponsored by senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and David Perdue (R-Ga.). "This bill draws upon ideas supported by members of both parties to provide legal status to the thousands of young people who are here through no fault of their own-without encouraging more illegal immigration in the future. This legislation would go a long way to building an immigration system that supports the American worker, and there's simply no good reason for either party to oppose it," Cotton said. "This legislation combines common sense border security and interior enforcement reforms with Senators Graham's and Durbin's bipartisan solution on DACA. It restores integrity to our immigration system by cracking down on illegal immigration and criminal immigrants, while recognizing the circumstances of those brought here through no fault of their own. This bill improves public safety and prosperity for Americans and immigrants alike, and ensures tragedies like the deaths of Kate Steinle and Sarah Root never happen again. This is a bill that our colleagues from both sides of the aisle should be able to support. President Trump is ready and willing to sign it, so it's time for Congress to get it done," Grassley said. "This bill provi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=840 Cotton Statement on the Pentagon's Decision to Retain Cluster Munitions 2017-12-04 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 4, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the decision by the Pentagon to retain its supply of cluster munitions: "I commend the administration for making a difficult, but prudent decision to preserve cluster munitions to deter North Korean aggression, as I have long contended was necessary. It's a disappointing commentary on 25 years of failed policy, yet a clear sign to Pyongyang and Beijing that U.S. policy has changed." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A1A59310-F9D7-4CEB-9F41-7D3D6133EBC4 Boozman Votes for Tax Relief for Arkansans 2017-12-02 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive tax reform bill:   “Today’s vote brings us one step closer to historic tax relief for Arkansans while encouraging investment that will help grow the Natural State’s economy. It’s all about helping hardworking Arkansans keep more of their money in their own pockets, not Uncle Sam’s.  Passage of the Senate bill is a great step toward finally having an efficient and effective tax code that works for the American people by doubling the standard deduction, lowering rates and eliminating loopholes.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=839 Cotton Statement on Senate Approval of Tax Bill 2017-12-02 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 2, 2017 Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) tonight released the following statement on the Senate's approval of the tax bill, which includes a repeal of the Obamacare individual mandate: "The bill we passed tonight puts us one step closer to bringing tax relief to working families. It will let Arkansans keep more of their hard-earned money and help our businesses create more jobs. It's just what we need to make our economy grow faster. I'm also pleased this bill includes my proposal to repeal the Obamacare individual-mandate tax. This is the cruelest part of that hated law. It punishes over 65,000 Arkansas families and the poor for being unable to afford the insurance that Obamacare itself made unaffordable. Its repeal is long overdue, and I urge the conference committee to include this provision in the final bill." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-helps-provide-arkansans-affordable-housing-options Hill Helps Provide Arkansans with Affordable Housing Options 2017-12-01 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting bipartisan legislation to help provide Americans with affordable housing options: “Hardworking Arkansans, especially those in our rural communities, depend on manufactured homes as an affordable housing option. With only a handful of lenders making loans for manufactured home, it is already difficult for homebuyers to get the financing they need without needless obstacles. The days of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s prescriptive, one-size fits all regulation standing the way of affordable home ownership are numbered thanks to the bill we passed today, which I was proud to support. “I appreciate Rep. Andy Barr’s (R-KY) thoughtful work on this measure to help hardworking Arkansans and Americans who are attempting to obtain the dream of homeownership.” Click HERE to view Rep. Hill’s floor speech in support of H.R. 1699. Background: The Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act, H.R. 1699, helps protect consumers’ ability to buy a manufactured home. It clarifies that a manufactured home salesperson is not originating a loan when helping a consumer apply for a mortgage or prepare loan information, unless they are compensated by a creditor, lender, or mortgage broker. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1493 Hill Helps Provide Arkansans with Affordable Housing Options 2017-12-01 2017 2017-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting bipartisan legislation to help provide Americans with affordable housing options: Hardworking Arkansans, especially those in our rural communities, depend on manufactured homes as an affordable housing option. With only a handful of lenders making loans for manufactured home, it is already difficult for homebuyers to get the financing they need without needless obstacles. The days of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's prescriptive, one-size fits all regulation standing the way of affordable home ownership are numbered thanks to the bill we passed today, which I was proud to support. I appreciate Rep. Andy Barr's (R-KY) thoughtful work on this measure to help hardworking Arkansans and Americans who are attempting to obtain the dream of homeownership. ClickHEREto view Rep. Hill's floor speech in support of H.R. 1699. Background: The Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act,H.R. 1699, helps protect consumers' ability to buy a manufactured home. It clarifies that a manufactured home salesperson is not originating a loan when helping a consumer apply for a mortgage or prepare loan information, unless they are compensated by a creditor, lender, or mortgage broker. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/natural-resources-committee-passes-keep-america-s-refuges-operational Natural Resources Committee Passes Keep Americas Refuges Operational Act 2017-11-30 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR Bruce Westerman W000821 westerman.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 3979 – the Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act – on Thursday (November 30). The bill, co-sponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman, would “reauthorize the volunteer services, community partnership, and refuge education programs of the National Wildlife Refuge System.” The bipartisan bill, introduced by primary sponsor Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York, is co-sponsored by five Democrats and 12 Republicans. “This bill allows volunteers in our communities to serve their fellow man and improve our nation’s wildlife refuges,” Westerman said. “Groups like Friends of Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Yell County have played an important role in their local NWR and it is vital for our refuges that local groups continue to have the ability to provide volunteer services at no cost to taxpayers. I look forward to this bill’s quick passage in the House.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/natural-resources-committee-passes-keep-americas-refuges-operational Natural Resources Committee Passes “Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act” 2017-11-30 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR Bruce Westerman W000821 westerman.house.gov westerman https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases scraper WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 3979 – the Keep America's Refuges Operational Act – on Thursday (November 30). The bill, co-sponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman, would "reauthorize the volunteer services, community partnership, and refuge education programs of the National Wildlife Refuge System." The bipartisan bill, introduced by primary sponsor Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York, is co-sponsored by five Democrats and 12 Republicans. 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399235 Arkansas Representatives Introduce Legislation to Recognize the Aviation Cadet Museum in Eureka Springs as the National Aviation Cadet Museum of the United States 2017-11-30 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON– Congressman Steve Womack, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, and Bruce Westerman, today introduced a resolution recognizing the Aviation Cadet Museum in Eureka Springs as the National Aviation Cadet Museum of the United States. Founded in 1994 by former aviation cadet and Air Force First Lieutenant Errol Severe, and his wife, Beth, the museum honors aviators from the 20th century.   After the resolution was introduced, the Arkansas House Delegation released the following statement:  “The Aviation Cadet Museum in Eureka Springs honors America’s aviators who bravely fought for our nation during World War I and World War II. By recognizing the museum as the National Aviation Cadet Museum of the United States, we are paying tribute to these individuals and preserving their commitment to our country.”  For almost fifty years, the flying cadet and succeeding aviation cadet programs provided pilots, navigators, and bombardiers for our nation’s military.  The service and dedication of these aviators helped the United States defeat the enemies of freedom in both World Wars.   Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.   womack.house.gov                                                                  ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399236 House Lawmakers: 2018 RFS Levels More of the Same 2017-11-30 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Steve Womack (R-Ark.), and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finalized rule establishing renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2018:  “The RFS has run out of gas, but that hasn’t stopped the EPA from once again acting to prop up the ethanol industry. The 2018 volumes announced today are more of the same, as another 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol will be added to our nation’s fuel supply next year. Who will bear the brunt of the ethanol mandate? American consumers, food producers, livestock farmers, vehicles, small engines, and even the environment stand to experience the harmful impacts of more ethanol forced into the market. These numbers underscore exactly why Congress must act. Our bill, the RFS Reform Act, is an absolute fix that can begin the needed process of decreasing the burdensome effects of the ethanol mandate. Reforming the RFS remains a major priority, and we will continue working to see a legislative solution move forward through Congress.” Earlier this year, Goodlatte, Welch, Womack, and Costa re-introduced the RFS Reform Act (H.R. 1315), which eliminates corn-based ethanol requirements, caps the amount of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline at 10 percent, and requires the EPA to set cellulosic biofuels levels at production levels.     ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/cei-blog/why-mentorship-matters Why Mentorship Matters 2017-11-29 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy It’s long been the case that the success of communities depends on the development of young people – whether in the classroom, in the workplace, or in the home. One of my priorities throughout my life has been mentorship. Without the mentorship of bosses, troop leaders, or parents, I would not have developed the skills I needed to be successful in my career and in my life. I have embraced the importance of mentorship and have had the opportunity to work with great Arkansas organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, among many others. Mentoring brings tangible benefits. Child Trends, an organization in Bethesda, Maryland, that focuses on child development, found that mentorship leads to increased school attendance and an increased likelihood of students receiving a higher education. Their data also showed that mentorship helps our youth cultivate a better attitude towards school and helps reduce certain negative youth behaviors, including substance abuse. These numbers are even more significant in minority youth populations provided with mentorship opportunities, where they were 70 percent less likely to initiate drug use than similar youth not in a mentor program. One of initiatives that I am proud to highlight is the OK Program (OKP). Spearheaded by Arkansas native Donald Northcross, this nationwide program, which includes Little Rock, provides influential mentoring for African-American males. While serving as the Deputy Sheriff with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Northcross witnessed the devastating fate of too many young Africa-American males, which lead to the creation of this thriving program. OKP brings together African-American police officers and pastors to recruit, train, and organize African-American men to mentor African-American boys between the ages of 12 and 18. Their vision is to inspire these boys to live full, productive lives. Having a well-respected man within the Arkansas community like Northcross and Little Rock Police Department Sergeant Willie Davis running and facilitatin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-supports-mandatory-sexual-harassment-training Hill Supports Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training 2017-11-29 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting for and cosponsoring legislation to require Members of Congress and staff to complete sexual harassment training each session of each Congress: “Sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Before this legislation was introduced, my office staff and I had completed the House’s sexual harassment training. I expect more entities - businesses, institutions, and offices – to follow suit and put in strong accountability measures to make workplaces free from inappropriate behavior. Today, the House declared that we are taking sexual harassment seriously and that there is no place for misconduct in Congress. I look forward to additional recommendations on what other steps can be taken by House Administration.” Background: For more information on H.Res. 630, click HERE. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1492 Hill Supports Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training 2017-11-29 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill Supports Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training f t # e Washington, November 29, 2017 Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after voting for and cosponsoring legislation to require Members of Congress and staff to complete sexual harassment training each session of each Congress: Sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Before this legislation was introduced, my office staff and I had completed the House's sexual harassment training. I expect more entities - businesses, institutions, and offices to follow suit and put in strong accountability measures to make workplaces free from inappropriate behavior. Today, the House declared that we are taking sexual harassment seriously and that there is no place for misconduct in Congress. I look forward to additional recommendations on what other steps can be taken by House Administration. f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=ABF250A1-DB97-4925-92AE-865DFA975211 Boozman Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Veterans' Health Services 2017-11-29 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, voted to advance legislation to consolidate and improve access to veterans’ healthcare services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and in the communities where veterans live, work and seek medical care. The Caring for our Veterans Act of 2017, introduced by Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-MT), would establish a permanent, streamlined ‘Veterans Community Care Program’ to ensure access to timely and quality care. “This legislation builds off the improvements made by the Choice program so we can provide the best care available to our veterans. We have a responsibility to take care of the men and women who served in uniform. This helps make good on the promise we made to our veterans,” Boozman said.  The legislation incorporates provisions Boozman pushed for including: Improving the VA’s third-party fee collection. This will help the VA recover its costs for providing non-service connected care at VA facilities and will help ensure that funding for VA healthcare remains available for veterans. Ensuring that community care providers who have already gone through extensive processes to care for veterans can continue to do so without undergoing duplicative procedures to participate in the new program. Allowing industry partners to perform certain VA functions, like the processing of claims for community healthcare, so that the VA can better focus it’s time and resources on providing healthcare to veterans.   Allowing veterans who seek care in the community and are prescribed medications to fill initial, short-term prescriptions without requiring the veteran to go to a VA facility.  The Caring for Our Veterans Act of 2017 as amended was passed 14-1 by the committee. The legislation now goes to the full Senate for a vote. The legislation is supported by The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers Assoc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=B8667CE7-57B1-4548-BB0A-FF5A7116FA02 Committed to Improving Veteran Services 2017-11-29 2017 2017-11 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Honoring our veterans is one of the greatest privileges I have as a U.S. Senator. Earlier this month, President Trump proclaimed November “National Veterans and Military Families Month.” As we recognize our veterans and honor the sacrifice and heroism of those who answered the call to serve our nation in uniform, we must recommit ourselves to fighting on their behalf. As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am committed to honoring the promise made to our veterans. We’ve made tremendous progress during this Congress. In June, President Trump signed the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. This law strengthens accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by allowing the Department to dismiss bad employees while protecting those who expose wrongdoing.  We have also enhanced post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to increase educational opportunities. I’m proud to have played a role in crafting this law, along with my colleague Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). This bipartisan legislation is a great example of how we work across the aisle to get things done. For several years, we championed fixing an oversight that prevented combat-injured members of the National Guard and Reserve from receiving the same GI Bill benefits as active duty military members. Wounded and injured service members were being unfairly penalized from accruing educational benefits they rightly earned while in recovery. This was a priority for us because these men and women deserve better. To correct this injustice, we introduced legislation earlier this year as well as in the last Congress. I’m pleased it was included in the comprehensive GI Reform bill that was signed into law this summer.  While we’ve made improvements, there is still more that needs to be done including the expansion of VA services for female veterans. I encourage my colleagues to support the Deborah Sampson Act to address these concerns, and I urge VA Secretary Shulkin to implement reforms written in the bill that don’t require congressional acti… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-support-law-enforcement Westerman Votes in Support of Law Enforcement 2017-11-28 2017 2017-11 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) issued the following statement Tuesday (November 28) upon passage of H.R. 2228, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017: "The job of a law enforcement officer is taxing both physically and mentally," Westerman said. "Passage of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act gives the Justice Department the ability to grant funds to state and local police departments for mental health pilot programs at law enforcement agencies. I was proud to vote for this important bill and support the men and women in blue." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z

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