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814 rows where party = "Republican", state = "AR" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending

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  • Senate 18

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  • 2018 · 814 ✖

state 1

  • AR · 814 ✖

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  • Republican · 814 ✖
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.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/in-support-of-border-funding In Support of Border Funding 2018-12-31 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy As a member of the Senate Border Security and Enforcement First Immigration Caucus I am actively fighting for funding to protect our borders. National security is the federal government's number one responsibility and we must allocate resources in support of border protection that accurately reflect this priority. I supported the president's budget request for border security funding in the Senate Committee on Appropriations Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security bill and I will continue to advocate for increased resources for manpower and infrastructure in order to reduce illegal border crossings. There is no doubt we have a border crisis that is escalating. Department of Homeland Security data shows that apprehensions along our southern border have nearly doubled in the past year. It is in our national interest to take necessary steps to provide the tools our Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on the frontlines need to control our porous border and protect our communities and themselves as they carry out this important mission. I've seen firsthand the challenges our interdiction agents face. In September, I visited the southwest border in California and Texas to see how we can improve policies to better control illegal immigration, human trafficking and drug smuggling. The need for more infrastructureincluding roads for access, electronic devices for surveillance and fencing for deterrencewas echoed at each stop. We heard how border security upgrades improved community safety. Increased federal investment is necessary to achieve this on a larger scale. Constructing a strong border security system coupled with enforcement of our immigration laws is a deterrent to those who seek to illegally enter our country. This is the first step to reforming our immigration system. We are a nation of immigrants and we can be proud of our history of welcoming and naturalizing those who follow the proper, legal process. We naturalize more new citizens annually than the rest of … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/tb-p-sen-boozman-says-work-being-done-to-protect-election-integrity TB&P: Provision in new Farm Bill could help Arkansas farmers sell crops in Cuba 2018-12-28 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy In the News The newly minted Farm Bill contains a provision that will allow U.S. agricultural producers to use federal market promotion dollars for exports to Cuba. Full story:https://talkbusiness.net/2018/12/provision-in-new-farm-bill-could-help-arkansas-farmers-sell-crops-in-cuba/ 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2454 Hills Bill to Enhance Arkansass Flatside Wilderness Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk 2018-12-24 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after his legislation to enhance Arkansas's wilderness area, the Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act, passed the Senate and heads to the president's desk for his signature: Congressman Hill said: I'm pleased that my bill to enhance one of Arkansas's most unspoiled landscapes, Flatside Wilderness, has been sent to the president's desk. Arkansans and visitors, young and old, should enjoy more of Flatside Wilderness and all of its natural and wild qualities. Perry County in particular offers a very special and rare opportunity for people to support our wildlife and natural resources, while also boosting the state's economy. This addition is named for a tireless conservationist and advocate for Arkansas wilderness and my good friend, former Arkansas Congressman Ed Bethune. I appreciate Representative Bruce Westerman and Senator John Boozman for their efforts in helping me get my legislation to the finish line. Senator John Boozman said: This is welcome news for Arkansas outdoor enthusiasts. Protecting this land will support the beauty of the Natural State for future generations. Nobody has been a more fierce advocate for our state's natural resources than Ed Bethune so this is also a fitting tribute to his work in Congress. I appreciate my Senate colleagues for recognizing the importance of safeguarding this landscape. Background The Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act, H.R. 5636, adds to the wilderness area approximately 640 acres of existing National Forest lands next to Forked Mountain which has been depicted as Recommended Wilderness Additions since 2005. These areas have been managed as wilderness land since that time. It will also name the 640-acre wilderness addition, Bethune Woods, in honor of former member of Congress from Arkansas, Ed Bethune, author of the House version of the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act. Additionally, Congressman Hill has proposed a U.S. Forest Service study of additional existing U.S. f… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/adg-u-s-sen-john-boozman-seeks-answers-in-saudi-case ADG: Bill expanding Arkansas wilderness on way to president 2018-12-24 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy In the News Legislation expanding Arkansas' Flatside Wilderness is headed to the White House, thanks to successful last-minute lobbying by U.S. Sen. John Boozman. Full story (subscription required):https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2018/dec/24/wilderness-bill-on-way-to-president-201-1/ 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2438 Hill Awards Golden Fleece to VA for Failing to Properly Administer Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (R-AR) named the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as the latest winner of the Golden Fleece award for its inability to oversee State Approving Agencies' (SAAs) review of education and training programs at schools that enroll Post-9/11 GI Bill students and allow ineligible enrollees to participate, taking vital benefits away from veterans in need. Hardworking Americans fund our federal agencies and they expect the government to be responsible stewards with their tax dollars and judicious in the way they operate, said Hill. Allowing ineligible school programs that enroll Post-9/11 GI Bill students to participate in VA's education and training programs is not only a waste of taxpayer dollars, but also takes away resources from those veterans who actually need them. Without a fix, VA's mismanagement could cost Arkansans and Americans $2.3 billion in improper payments over the next five years. This is unacceptable, and I call on the VA to address these concerns immediately. Letter December 21, 2018 The Honorable Robert Wilkie Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20420-0001 Dear Secretary Wilkie: I write today to inform you that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is this month's recipient of my Golden Fleece Award. According to arecentreport by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG)1, without correction, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) could issue an estimated $2.3 billion in improper payments to ineligible programs over the next five years. The OIG conducted this audit to determine if VA and State Approving Agencies (SAAs) were effectively reviewing education and training programs that enrolled Post-9/11 GI bill students to ensure only eligible programs participated. Based on its review, the OIG estimated that 86 percent of SAAs did not adequately oversee the education and training programs to make certain only eligible programs participated. This is unacceptable, and VA mus… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2440 Hill Thanks Secretary Mattis for His Service 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill Thanks Secretary Mattis for His Service f t # e Washington, December 21, 2018 WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement regarding Secretary of Defense James Mattis' decision to resign: I am disappointed to see Secretary Mattis go. He has served our country with utmost distinction, and America is safer and stronger because of his leadership. His voice in our national security councils was wise, steady, and respected. We, as a nation, are indebted to Secretary Mattis for his lifetime of service to our country, and I'm thankful for his patriotism, courage, and integrity, which has set a high bar for all future leaders in his position. f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2444 Hill: I Oppose the Presidents Decision to Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill: I Oppose the President's Decision to Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan' f t # e Washington, December 21, 2018 WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement opposing the president's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan: The Taliban has been increasing its gains in Afghanistan, and I believe that withdrawing U.S. troops now will allow the Taliban to gather strength and expand even further. A withdrawal at this time undermines our accomplishments against terrorism and does not honor the 2,500 American men and women who have lost their lives fighting to make the world safer for Americans and all people. Further, in my view, only America's strong military engagement with our NATO allies can press for a negotiated peace in this war-torn nation. I visited Afghanistan in 2015, and I am especially concerned for civilians like Naheed Esar, a native of Jalalabad, Afghanistan, with whom I was able to take tea with while in Kabul. The indomitable spirit of her and her family has resulted in Naheed's successful graduation from the University of Arkansas as a Fulbright Scholar with a master's degree in cultural anthropology. Today, she is in her home country pursuing a career as an independent researcher and writer. Her story should remind all of us that there can be a future with a free Afghanistan and that now is not the time to abandon these civilians to the Taliban. f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2447 Hill: This bill offers incarcerated Arkansans and Americans aid in living better lives 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) made the following statement after supporting the bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, the First Step Act, which the president signed into law today: Since I came to Congress in 2015, I have actively worked with groups like Arkansas Baptist College, Restore Hope, Goodwill, Shorter College, the Exodus Project, and many more on ways we can better tackle crime, help lower recidivism rates, assist incarcerated Arkansans successfully shift back to society, while promoting individual opportunity. Through my Community Empowerment Initiative (CEI), I have brought together over 100 community members and have conducted more than 25 site visits throughout central Arkansas and around the country. I am pleased that the president signed this bill into law today, marking this a crucial step for criminal justice reform. This issue transcends partisan boundaries, and I believe that all Arkansans and Americans in good standing with the law, regardless of their environment or background, deserve the opportunity to improve their lives. By implementing more opportunities for education and skill development, this bill offers incarcerated Americans and Arkansans aid in living better lives. Background The First Step Act, S. 756, reduces recidivism and promotes rehabilitation by encouraging inmates to participate in educational and vocational training, and by improving conditions in federal prisons. Specifically, the bill does the following: Providing every inmate with an individualized plan of evidence-based programming geared specifically toward recidivism reduction; Allowing low-risk inmates to serve time toward the end of their sentences in either a halfway house in home confinement, easing their transitions back into their families and communities; Codifying a prohibition on shackling female prisoner who are pregnant, giving birth, or in postpartum recovery; Requiring inmates to be placed in facilities closer to their families to encourage visi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399880 Womack Statement on Democrats Refusing to Fund the Wall, Impending Government Shutdown 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC December 21, 2018 Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after Congress failed to pass either continued funding or fiscal year 2019 appropriations for the seven remaining annual bills, which will result in a partial government shutdown starting at midnight. Democrats have shown their handthey prefer open borders over an open government. As Members of Congress, we took an oath of allegiance to the United States, not those trying to enter it illegally. It is unacceptable to hold the government hostage to play political games. We can't avoid a partial shutdown at this point, so the question is no longer if it will happen but how long it will last. I call on my Democratic colleagues in both chambers to come to the table and do what is right for our nation. The reality is the Democrats' platform previously supported a border barrier, border security funding, and an increase of border patrol agents. Now, they've done a complete about face on these critical priorities and placed political expediency in front of delivering results for the American people. Our constituents did not send us to Washington to shut down the government. Congress needs to end this chaos and do our job. Border security is national security. It's time for Democrats to stop blocking efforts to secure our Southern Border and protect our communities. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense, military construction-veterans affairs, and labor-health and human services subcommittees. Additionally, he co-chairs the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. womack.house.gov ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399881 Womack Votes for Significant Reform to the Criminal Justice System 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Womack Votes for Significant Reform to the Criminal Justice System f t # e Washington, December 21, 2018 Washington, DC December 20, 2018.Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after the House today passed the Senate Amendment to S.756, the First Step Act, by a vote of 358-36. The legislation, which will now head to the President's desk to be signed into law, helps reduce the risk that prisoners will recidivate upon release from prison, along with making other reforms. America is the land of promise and opportunity. The First Step Act gives nonviolent, low-risk offenders that very opportunitythe opportunity for a fresh start and the chance to become productive members of society. This bipartisan legislation does so while also ensuring that dangerous and violent prisoners stay behind bars and making our communities safer. I was proud to vote in support of these historic criminal justice reforms. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense, military construction-veterans affairs, and labor-health and human services subcommittees. Additionally, he co-chairs the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. 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/2018/12/2018-year-in-review 2018 Year in Review 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy We are getting ready to close the book on the 115thCongress. The past two years have been busy in Washington as we passed historic tax reform, rolled back needless regulation and implemented improvements to help Main Street lenders and job creators. I'm proud to be a voice for Arkansas in the nation's capital, representing our shared values as Congress crafts polices that will make a difference in the lives of Arkansans and all Americans. We made great progress this year that will help our state. The Arkansas Rural Water Association applauded a policy update, based on legislation I introduced, that was included in the water infrastructure bill passed by Congress in October. My proposal, which is now law, willmodernize critical water infrastructurefunding and increase access to financing, particularly forrural areas often unable to afford upgrades to aging water systems. Throughout this Congress, one of my top priorities has been to strengthen the ability of Arkansas farmers and ranchers to continue to be leaders in feeding and clothing the world. The farm bill that President Donald Trump recently signed into law improves essential programs for Arkansans, and I was proud to play a role in writing this law. As is typical at the end of a Congress, there is a flurry of activity on the Senate floor as members work to pass their legislative priorities. My staff and I were driven to get significant legislation across the finish line that includes passage of theForeverGIBill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act.This billwill ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses veterans for missed or underpaid ForeverGIBill housing benefits. The department's failure to fully comply with reimbursement rates set by theForeverGIBill resulted from IT systems that had not been properly updated and a lack of internal processes to get the VA the necessary information about payment rates. This bill will correct this problem so our veterans can receive the full benefits they were promised. In recent days Congress also passed … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-led-legislation-to-eliminate-unintentional-financial-burdens-for-student-veterans-headed-to-president-s-desk Boozman-Led Legislation to Eliminate Unintentional Financial Burdens For Student Veterans Headed to President's Desk 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONThe Senate unanimously passed a package of veterans' legislation that includes provisions authored and championed byU.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs (VA) Committee. This legislation will improve the lives of our veterans and their families. Passage of these measures represents the broad support our veterans enjoy. I'm proud to be a voice for our veterans and will continue to ensure they receive the services and benefits they have earned, Boozman said Boozman and Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-MA)Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress (SIT-REP)Act, legislation that would ensure student veterans are not forced to endure additional financial burdens and are not denied access to school facilities due to delayed processing of G.I. Bill benefit payments, was included in the legislative package. TheSIT REP Actwill: Prohibit a college, university, or training program from adopting a policy in which it imposes a late fee on eligible student veterans, denies them access to school facilities (such as classrooms and libraries); or requires them to take out additional loans due to a delayed G.I. Bill benefit payment from the VA to the school; In the event of a delay by the VA in issuing a G.I. Bill benefit payment directly to a school, prohibit the school from imposing late fees on student veterans and denying them access to school facilities for up to 90 days after the school certifies tuition and fees. This provision would apply only to benefits that are paid directly to the school; Allow the VA Secretary to waive these two aforementioned prohibitions when appropriate; Require the VA to distribute G.I. Bill payments to the school within 60 days from when the school certifies tuition and fees for the student; Mandate a report from the VA to Congress twice a year with a summary of any cases in which delayed G.I. Bill disbursements occurred and an explanation for the delays. Boozman-led provisions in theVeterans Benefits and Transi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/congress-sends-bill-to-strengthen-women-s-economic-empowerment-to-president-s-desk Congress Sends Boozman Bill to Strengthen Women's Economic Empowerment to President's Desk 2018-12-21 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONCongress approved theWomen's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment (WEEE) Act, legislation that seeks to eliminate global gender-related barriers and empower female entrepreneurs around the world. The bill heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. The bill was introduced in the Senate by SenatorsJohn Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). Providing women access to tools for economic success supports global prosperity. TheWEEE Actwill empower women to gain control of their financial future while simultaneously facilitating improvements in their homes and communities. I'm proud to lead Senate efforts recognizing the importance of leveling the playing field for women around the world. I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Corker and Chairman Royce to move this bill one step closer to becoming law,Boozman said. Investing in women creates a positive cycle of change that can lift women, families, communities and entire countries out of poverty, said Cardin, ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I am proud we have been able to work on a bipartisan basis to move forward this much-needed legislation. Specifically, theWEEE Actwill: Establish a development cooperation policy of the United States to reduce gender disparities related to economic participation and opportunity, strive to eliminate gender-based violence, support women's property rights and increase the capability of women and girls to determine life outcomes. Directthe United States Agency for International Development (USAID) toinclude efforts that promote equality and female empowerment throughout its programs. Expand USAID's microenterprise development assistance authority to include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with an emphasis on supporting SMEs owned, managed and controlled by women; and Modernize USAID's development assistance toolkit to include innovative credit scoring models, financial technology, financ… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2436 Hill: The safety of Arkansans and Americans comes first and foremost 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill: The safety of Arkansans and Americans comes first and foremost' f t # e Washington, December 20, 2018 WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting the year-end continuing resolution that includes disaster funding and $5 billion to fund U.S. border security measures: The safety of Arkansans and Americans comes first and foremost. I've visited the southwest border four times, and I can personally attest to the need for adequate border security funding, including more miles of physical border barrier, enhanced technology, and personnel. We owe it to the American people to secure our borders as we strive to keep our families safe. Keeping our borders secure is vital for deterring terrorists and drug cartels from entering our country illegally, and that's why I support this proposal. f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-walnut-grove-land-exchange-act-goes-potus-signature Senate Passes Walnut Grove Land Exchange Act, Goes to POTUS for Signature 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Bruce Westerman W000821 westerman.house.gov westerman https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases scraper WASHINGTON – The Senate passed the Walnut Grove Land Exchange Act on Wednesday (December 19), officially sending the bill to President Donald J. Trump for his signature. Congressman Bruce Westerman introduced H.R. 5923 on May 23 of this year. The bill facilitates an exchange of land between Walnut Grove Church in Jessieville and the U.S. Forest Service. The church and an adjacent cemetery currently sit on 4 acres of Forest Service land. This bill transfers the ownership of that land to the church, and in return, gives the Forest Service 6.3 acres of land adjacent to the Ouachita National Forest owned by the congregation. "This is a good day for the people of Walnut Grove Church and the community of Jessieville," Westerman said. "The church has been a longtime tenant of the Forest Service and has sought a resolution to this issue for more than 20 years. The fact that it takes an act of Congress to exchange such small parcels of land simply illustrates how broken the federal government is. I thank Senator Cotton for his co-sponsorship and I thank Senator Boozman for his tireless efforts to see this passed in the Senate before the end of 2018." "This is a great day for the Walnut Grove Church," Sen. John Boozman (R-Arkansas) said. "The church has vigorously pursued an equitable land exchange between itself and the U.S. Forest Service that makes perfect sense given the location of the facility it worships in. With the passage of this bill, the president's signature is all that is left to achieve this fair, reasonable outcome. I'm pleased to have led the effort in the Senate in support of Jessieville and this congregation." "Walnut Grove Church's congregation shouldn't have to deal with the federal government in order to simply worship and bury their loved ones," Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) said. "I'm pleased that the Senate has approved this land exchange, ending a decades-old problem for the church and Jessieville community." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-on-hand-as-farm-bill-signed-into-law-applauds-president-s-support-of-agriculture-industry Boozman On Hand as Farm Bill Signed into Law, Applauds Presidents Support of Agriculture Industry 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy (Senator Boozman, along with Arkansas Farm Bureau representatives President Randy Veach, Board Member Terry Dabbs and Director of Government Affairs Matt King, attended the 2018 Farm Bill signing ceremony at the White House) WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR),a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and a member of the conference committee that authored the final 2018 Farm Bill, applauded President Donald Trump for supporting farmers and ranchers by signing the bill into law. Boozman was at the White House as the president signed theAgriculture Improvement Act of 2018into law, the culmination of efforts to reauthorize farm policies that are critical for the agriculture industry and rural communities in Arkansas and across the country. The Arkansas Farm Bureau was also represented at the signing ceremony by President Randy Veach,Board Member Terry Dabbs and Director of Government Affairs Matt King. Signing this bill into law provides five years of certainty and predictability for America's agriculture producers, everyday consumers and rural communities. Throughout this Congress, my priority has been to strengthen the ability of Arkansas farmers and ranchers to continue to be leaders in feeding and clothing the world. This farm bill improves essential programs for Arkansans, and I was proud to play a role in writing this law. I appreciate President Trump's support of the bipartisan effort and hard work that went into getting this across the finish line, Boozman said. Highlights ofBoozman prioritiesin the 2018 Farm Bill include: Providing a workable safety net for farmers and ranchers Eliminating waste and abuse within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Trade promotion funding for agriculture products in Cuba Promoting jobs for veterans in agriculture Regulatory reform Research and development in crop insurance Honoring multi-generational family farms 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/congress-sends-boozman-bill-ensuring-veterans-receive-full-housing-benefits-to-president Congress Sends Boozman Bill Ensuring Veterans Receive Full Housing Benefits to President 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONCongress is sending President Donald Trump legislation to sign into law that would to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses veterans for missed or underpaid Forever GI Bill housing benefits. The Senate and House passed theForever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act,legislation introduced byU.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, to hold VA accountable for itsfailure to fully comply with reimbursement rates set by the Forever GI Bill. This legislative step is important to fulfilling the commitment we made to veterans. There's simply no excuse for failing to fully deliver the housing benefits that student veterans are owed, which is why it was necessary to directly confront the VA's errors and use our oversight to make certain they do not go uncorrected. I'm pleased this bill moved through Congress swiftly and look forward to the president signing it into law, Boozman said. I encourage any Arkansan who has been affected by this problem to reach out to my office so that we can ensure they get this fixed. For many student veterans, every dime counts. That's why the VA needs to get this right and pay student veterans the full amount of money they were promised, said Schatz. I'm glad this bill will soon become law, so we can make this right for our veterans. The VA should have used the Department of Defense's 2018 Basic Allowance for Housing rates which should have been calculated based on the zip code where the student takes the majority of classes, rather than on the zip code in which the school's main campus is located. Instead, some GI Bill recipients have been receiving housing stipends at the 2017 rate and based on the school's zip code. In all cases, the 2018 rate is higher than the 2017 rate. The legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jo… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/farm-bill-s-expansion-of-trade-opportunities-between-the-us-and-cuba-historic-and-mutually-beneficial Farm bill's expansion of trade opportunities between the US and Cuba historic and mutually beneficial 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy The 2018 farm bill is a huge victory for U.S. farmers. The bipartisan legislation improves food security, strengthens crop insurance and reinvests in America's rural economy. It is especially critical for Arkansas, where agriculture accounts for about one in every six jobs and adds nearly $16 billion to the state's economy. Expanding markets has long been a priority for our agricultural producers. A historic provision in this legislation gives them a much-needed win in their desire to trade with Cuba. With strong bipartisan support, this year's farm bill takes an important step in providing our farmers with more opportunities for trade and helping to alleviate food shortages for everyday Cubans. The farm bill's Cuba trade provision allows U.S. commodity exporters to use Department of Agriculture market promotion funding in Cuba, meaning our farmers will now be able to advertise their products on the ground where we know there is demand for American goods. These federal programs, which offset the high cost of market promotion, will no longer treat Cuba differently from other foreign markets. Despite an otherwise healthy economy, America's agriculture industry is suffering. Commodity prices have fallen consistently and there is little relief in sight. Given this troubling forecast, the importance of opening new international markets cannot be overstated. Cuba, a country of 11 million people and nearly 5 million annual tourists, imports almost $2 billion in agricultural products from around the world up to 80 percent of its entire food supply. Counted among Cuba's leading imports are some of Arkansas's top crops: soybeans, poultry and rice. But under the decades-long U.S. embargo our producers have faced a tough hurdle. Though agricultural exports to Cuba are legal, U.S. law requires Cuba to pay up front in cash. This effectively prevents our farmers from competing in a nearby, ripe foreign market while competitors in Europe and South America offer Cuba financing terms for their exports. A natural next step fo… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/nbc-news-congress-passes-bills-to-help-address-veterans-gi-bill-benefit-woes NBC NEWS: Congress passes bills to help address veterans' GI Bill benefit woes 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Congress passed two bills in the final days of the 2018 legislative session that help address the ongoing issues faced by student veterans after the Department of Veterans Affairs struggled to pay GI Bill benefits. Full story:https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/congress-passes-bills-help-address-veterans-gi-bill-benefit-woes-n950596 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/stars-stripes-senate-passes-measure-to-extend-commissary-exchange-privileges-to-more-veterans STARS & STRIPES: Congress approves measure to hold VA accountable for GI Bill payments 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy In the News WASHINGTON Congress approved legislation Thursday to ensure student veterans who didn't receive monthly housing payments during the fall semester or received the wrong amounts get the money they're due. Full story:https://www.stripes.com/news/congress-approves-measure-to-hold-va-accountable-for-gi-bill-payments-1.561506 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/tb-p-provision-in-new-farm-bill-could-help-arkansas-farmers-sell-crops-in-cuba TB&P: President Trump signs Farm Bill into law 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy An $867 billion federal Farm Bill was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Thursday (Dec. 20) as several Arkansas agricultural supporters were on-hand for the bill signing, including U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark. Full story:https://talkbusiness.net/2018/12/president-trump-signs-farm-bill-into-law/ 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1040 Senate Passes Cotton's Full Military Honors Act 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 20, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:Caroline TablerorJames Arnold(202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C.Last night, the Senate passed the Full Military Honors Act of 2018, a bill introduced by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) that would allow all Medal of Honor recipients and former prisoners of war to receive a full military honors burial ceremony with an escort, regardless of rank. Currently, full military honors with an escort are reserved for senior officers, non-commissioned officers, and servicemembers killed in combat. Rank is not the sole or final measure of service to this country,Senator Cottonsaid. The dignity of a fallen servicemember's internment should be measured by their courage, not simply the insignia on their sleeves or shoulders. Now that the Senate has approved the bill, the next Congress should move quickly to show the families of the deceased and members of our military that the United States will always honor its veterans appropriately for their service. Background: Most veterans who are eligible for burial in Arlington are entitled to a bugler, a firing party, and a casket team (all part of the full military honors ceremony). However, the additional funeral escort honors are currently reserved for certain retired officers and those who were killed in action. Escort honors include a caisson and a marching element made up of a band and a color guard. TheFull Military Honors Act of 2018would provide full military honors with an escort to both Medal of Honor recipients and POWs, regardless of their rank. Representative Mike Bishop (MI-08) has introduced companion legislation, H.R. 6734, in the U.S. House of Representatives. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1041 Cotton Statement on Asylum Agreement with Mexico 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 20, 2018 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today released the following statement after the Trump administration announced that asylum seekers at the Southern border will return to Mexico while their cases are decided: "Today's agreement is a positive step towards fixing our nation's broken asylum system. I applaud the Mexican government for their cooperation in addressing issues posed by mass Central American migration. Now it's imperative that Congress pass legislation to close asylum loopholes, secure our borders, and restore integrity to our immigration laws." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-asylum-agreement-with-mexico Cotton Statement on Asylum Agreement with Mexico 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today released the following statement after the Trump administration announced that asylum seekers at the Southern border will return to Mexico while their cases are decided: "Today's agreement is a positive step towards fixing our nation's broken asylum system. I applaud the Mexican government for their cooperation in addressing issues posed by mass Central American migration. Now it's imperative that Congress pass legislation to close asylum loopholes, secure our borders, and restore integrity to our immigration laws." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-cotton-and-039s-full-military-honors-act Senate Passes Cotton's Full Military Honors Act 2018-12-20 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or James Arnold (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. — Last night, the Senate passed the Full Military Honors Act of 2018, a bill introduced by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) that would allow all Medal of Honor recipients and former prisoners of war to receive a full military honors burial ceremony with an escort, regardless of rank. Currently, full military honors with an escort are reserved for senior officers, non-commissioned officers, and servicemembers killed in combat. “Rank is not the sole or final measure of service to this country,” Senator Cotton said. “The dignity of a fallen servicemember’s interment should be measured by their courage, not simply the insignia on their sleeves or shoulders. Now that the Senate has approved the bill, the next Congress should move quickly to show the families of the deceased and members of our military that the United States will always honor its veterans appropriately for their service.” Background: Most veterans who are eligible for burial in Arlington are entitled to a bugler, a firing party, and a casket team (all part of the full military honors ceremony). However, the additional funeral escort honors are currently reserved for certain retired officers and those who were killed in action. Escort honors include a caisson and a marching element made up of a band and a color guard. The Full Military Honors Act of 2018 would provide full military honors with an escort to both Medal of Honor recipients and POWs, regardless of their rank. Representative Mike Bishop (MI-08) has introduced companion legislation, H.R. 6734, in the U.S. House of Representatives. 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-presses-va-secretary-for-cooperation-as-major-reforms-are-implemented Boozman Presses VA Secretary for Cooperation as Major Reforms are Implemented 2018-12-19 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs (VA) Committee, is calling on Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to alleviate potential problems with implementation of the VA MISSION Act by cooperating with Congress. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/senate-approves-boozman-bill-to-ensure-veterans-receive-full-housing-benefits Senate Approves Boozman Bill to Ensure Veterans Receive Full Housing Benefits 2018-12-19 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONThe U.S. Senate unanimously approved theForever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act, legislation introduced byU.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses veterans for missed or underpaid Forever GI Bill housing benefits. The swift passage of this legislation shows the Senate's commitment to ensuring our veterans receive the full benefits they earned. We must hold VA accountable for addressing its failure to properly implement housing benefits of the Forever GI Bill,Boozman said.I encourage speedy approval of this bill by the House of Representatives to help assure veterans that this error will be completely corrected. For many student veterans, every dime counts. That's why the VA needs to get this right and pay student veterans the full amount of money they were promised,said Schatz. I'm glad that my colleagues in the Senate saw how important this issue is, and I hope this bill stays on the fast track to becoming law, so we can make this right for our veterans. Senators introduced the legislation to address the VA's failure to fully comply with reimbursement rates set by the Forever GI Bill. The improper payments resulted from IT systems that had not been properly updated and lack of internal processes to get the VA the necessary information about payment rates. The VA should have used the Department of Defense's 2018 Basic Allowance for Housing rates which should have been calculated based on the zip code where the student takes the majority of classes, rather than on the zip code in which the school's main campus is located. Instead, some GI Bill recipients have been receiving housing stipends at the 2017 rate and based on the school's zip code. In all cases, the 2018 rate is higher than the 2017 rate. The legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Richard Blumenthal (D… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-responds-to-implementation-of-2nd-round-of-market-facilitation-payments Rep. Crawford Responds to Implementation of 2nd Round of Market Facilitation Payments 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Eric A. "Rick" Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov crawford https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases scraper Washington, DC – Late last night President Trump announced that he would keep his promise to our nation's farmers and ranchers by authorizing the implementation of the 2ndround of Market Facilitation Payments. Last Friday, Rep. Crawford lead his colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to deliver these payments before the year's end. "I am pleased to see the President not only deliver such a quick response to the concerns I voiced last week, but to see him continue to stand with rural America. Like any other industry, farmers are harmed by unfair foreign trade practices, but are also challenged by risks inherent to agriculture and a struggling farm economy."said Crawford 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398808 Rep. Crawford Responds to Implementation of 2nd Round of Market Facilitation Payments 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Rick Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov     legacy Rep. Crawford Responds to Implementation of 2nd Round of Market Facilitation Payments f t # e Washington, December 18, 2018 Washington, DC Late last nightPresident Trump announcedthat he would keep his promise to our nation's farmers and ranchers by authorizing the implementation of the 2ndround of Market Facilitation Payments. Last Friday, Rep. Crawford lead his colleagues in sending aletter to President Trumpurging him to deliver these payments before the year's end. I am pleased to see the President not only deliver such a quick response to the concerns I voiced last week,but to see him continue to stand with rural America. Like any other industry, farmers are harmed by unfair foreign trade practices, but are also challenged by risks inherent to agriculture and a struggling farm economy.said Crawford 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-recognizes-hot-springs-retired-army-journalist Boozman Recognizes Hot Springs Retired Army Journalist 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON-U.S.Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized Lt. Col. (retired) Karen King-Johnson, a Vietnam War-era Army journalist, in Salute to Veterans,' a series commemorating the military service of Arkansans. Karen King-Johnson calls Hot Springs home today. She grew up in a patriotic family. Her father bravely served during WWII and was killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge when she was just one-year-old. Her mother and stepfather worked at Tinker Air Force Base. After graduating from Oklahoma State University and a brief stint as a reporter for a local paper, King-Johnson joined the Army. It just seemed like it was something I should always do, she said. One of her first assignments was in Germany where she served as commander of the Women's Army Corp (WAC) detachment and fulfilled many responsibilities. We were short-handed in 1966. We had taken all the veteran troops out of Germany and rushed them to Vietnam to try to fill in over there. The German command was just decimated. Everybody who was over there had at least a whole year's worth of experience and numerous job titles, King-Johnson said. Following her service in Germany, King-Johnson was assigned to the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin Harrison. I had been begging to be assigned to a journalist-type role, she said. Her assignments included covering celebrities in basic training at Fort Dix, including football star Joe Namath. She eventually received orders for Vietnam and underwent intense survival training in advance of her tour. She left from Travis Air Force Base bound for Vietnam as the sole female aboard a plane of 225 soldiers. As a captain, King-Johnson was also the ranking officer on the flight. In Vietnam, she served as Command Information Officer and her duties included leading a team of reporters, writing stories, photographing troops, printing internal publications to keep the troops informed, overseeing distribution ofStars and Stripesand publishing twice-daily news bulletins and writing weekly periodicals. She was al… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/senate-passes-boozman-supported-resolution-calling-for-diplomatic-solution-in-yemen-condemning-murder-of-jamal-khashoggi Senate Passes Boozman-Supported Resolution Calling for Diplomatic Solution in Yemen, Condemning Murder of Jamal Khashoggi 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution that calls for a diplomatic solution to the civil war in Yemen, declares there is no statutory authority for U.S. involvement in the conflict and explicitly holds Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a former Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, authored the resolution and introduced it with the help of U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and eight other original cosponsors. The text of the resolution can be found here. Boozman made the following statement after Senate-passage of the resolution: Americans are understandably concerned that the ongoing civil war in Yemen is having a tragic, devastating impact on innocent civilians. They recognize the extent that Saudi involvement has exasperated the conflict and are rightfully upset over the Saudi government's role in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. I share each of these concerns and believe there is a need to responsibly express them to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. My colleagues and I understand that the U.S. needs to use our longstanding relationship with the Kingdom to call on the Saudis to de-escalate the conflict in Yemen and to hold those responsible for the gruesome murder of Jamal Khashoggi accountable. That is why unanimous passage of this resolution is important. It condemns the horrific murder of Jamal Khashoggi and demands accountability for those involved in his death. It declares there is no statutory authorization for U.S. involvement in the conflict in Yemen, reaffirms our support for the peace negotiations currently underway and supports the decision to cease air-to-air refueling of the Saudi-led coalition aircraft operating in Yemen. This resolution delivers a strong message to the administration that the Senate is clearly unified in these demands. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1037 Senators Cotton, Cruz Introduce Resolution Encouraging the United States to Recognize Israel's Sovereignty Over Golan Heights 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 18, 2018 Washington, D.C. -Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and introduced a Senate resolution encouraging the United States to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The full text of the resolution may be read here. "Israel's northern border is threatened by Iranian forces and their proxies in Lebanon and Syria, including Hezbollah's 150,000 rockets, armed drones, newly discovered terror tunnels, and more. Meanwhile, with the Ayatollahs' help, Bashar al Assad's regime is on the verge of securing victory in Syria's civil war. He may soon turn his attention back to threatening the Jewish state." Cotton and Cruz said. "Israel gained possession over the Golan Heights in a defensive war over 50 years ago, and has responsibly controlled the area ever since. It's past time for the United States to recognize reality by affirming Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights." The following is the full text of the resolution: Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Whereas, until 1967, Syria controlled the Golan Heights and used the topographical advantage it provided to attack Israeli troops and civilians; Whereas, in June 1967, Syria intensified its attacks against Israel from the Golan Heights, and Israel captured the Golan Heights in a defensive war; Whereas, in October 1973, the Golan Heights provided Israel with critical strategic depth to repel a surprise attack by Syrian forces; Whereas, on September 1, 1975, President Gerald Ford provided a diplomatic assurance to Israel that "the U.S. will support the position that an overall settlement with Syria in the framework of a peace agreement must assure Israel's security from attack from the Golan Heights" and that "the U.S. has not developed a final position on the borders. Should it do so it will give great weight to Israel's position that any p… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1038 Cotton, Kennedy Announce Support for Cruz and Lankford Amendments 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 18, 2018 Washington, D.C. - Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) today announced that they will support and sponsor Senator Ted Cruz's amendment to the First Step Act to exclude additional violent felons from early release and Senator James Lankford's amendment to remove the discriminatory language in the bill that prohibits faith-based groups from receiving funding: "We believe these are commonsense improvements to a bad bill and urge all of our colleagues to allow these amendments to come to the floor for a vote." Background: The First Step Act states that "A group, company, charity, person, or entity may not engage in faith-based activities using direct financial assistance...", Senator Lankford's amendment fixes this discriminatory language. Senator Cruz's amendment excludes additional categories of violent felons including carjackers who intend to cause serious bodily injury. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1039 Cotton Statement on the First Step Act 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 18, 2018 Washington, D.C. - Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the First Step Act: "While the bill has marginally improved from earlier versions, I'm disappointed my amendments to exclude child molesters from early release and to protect victims' rights were not adopted. I also remain concerned that reducing sentences for drug traffickers and violent felons is a threat to public safety." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-kennedy-announce-support-for-cruz-and-lankford-amendments Cotton, Kennedy Announce Support for Cruz and Lankford Amendments 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) today announced that they will support and sponsor Senator Ted Cruz's amendment to the First Step Act to exclude additional violent felons from early release and Senator James Lankford's amendment to remove the discriminatory language in the bill that prohibits faith-based groups from receiving funding: "We believe these are commonsense improvements to a bad bill and urge all of our colleagues to allow these amendments to come to the floor for a vote." Background: The First Step Act states that "A group, company, charity, person, or entity may not engage in faith-based activities using direct financial assistance...", Senator Lankford's amendment fixes this discriminatory language. Senator Cruz's amendment excludes additional categories of violent felons including carjackers who intend to cause serious bodily injury. 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-the-first-step-act Cotton Statement on the First Step Act 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the First Step Act: "While the bill has marginally improved from earlier versions, I'm disappointed my amendments to exclude child molesters from early release and to protect victims' rights were not adopted. I also remain concerned that reducing sentences for drug traffickers and violent felons is a threat to public safety." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-cotton-cruz-introduce-resolution-encouraging-the-united-states-to-recognize-israel-and-146s-sovereignty-over-golan-heights Senators Cotton, Cruz Introduce Resolution Encouraging the United States to Recognize Israel’s Sovereignty Over Golan Heights 2018-12-18 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. -Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and introduced a Senate resolution encouraging the United States to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The full text of the resolution may be read here. "Israel's northern border is threatened by Iranian forces and their proxies in Lebanon and Syria, including Hezbollah's 150,000 rockets, armed drones, newly discovered terror tunnels, and more. Meanwhile, with the Ayatollahs' help, Bashar al Assad's regime is on the verge of securing victory in Syria's civil war. He may soon turn his attention back to threatening the Jewish state." Cotton and Cruz said. "Israel gained possession over the Golan Heights in a defensive war over 50 years ago, and has responsibly controlled the area ever since. It's past time for the United States to recognize reality by affirming Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights." The following is the full text of the resolution: Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Whereas, until 1967, Syria controlled the Golan Heights and used the topographical advantage it provided to attack Israeli troops and civilians; Whereas, in June 1967, Syria intensified its attacks against Israel from the Golan Heights, and Israel captured the Golan Heights in a defensive war; Whereas, in October 1973, the Golan Heights provided Israel with critical strategic depth to repel a surprise attack by Syrian forces; Whereas, on September 1, 1975, President Gerald Ford provided a diplomatic assurance to Israel that "the U.S. will support the position that an overall settlement with Syria in the framework of a peace agreement must assure Israel's security from attack from the Golan Heights" and that "the U.S. has not developed a final position on the borders. Should it do so it will give great weight to Israel's position that any peace agreement with Syria must be predicated on Israel remaining on the Golan Heights"; Whereas, in October 1… 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-applauds-passage-of-farm-bill Boozman Applauds Passage of Farm Bill 2018-12-17 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a farm bill conferee applauded passage of the bill that will provide famers and ranchers with certainty and predictability. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-praises-ag-committee-leadership-highlights-priorities-in-farm-bill-as-legislation-set-to-become-law Boozman Praises Ag Committee Leadership, Highlights Priorities in Farm Bill as Legislation Set to Become Law 2018-12-17 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONWith the 2018 Farm Bill set to become law, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR)a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and a member of the conference committee that authored the final billdelivered remarks on the Senate floor applauding passage of the legislation and thanking the conference committee leadership for including important provisions he authored. While highlighting how important the farm bill is to Arkansas, Boozman praised the bipartisan leadership of the conference committee for its efforts to finalize a bill that will bring certainty and predictability for farmers, ranchers and all rural Americans. Boozman also thanked his colleagues for including provisions he authored, addressing a number of his priorities, in the final text. Sending this bill to the President is about as important as it gets for my state, Boozman said. I commend Chairmen Roberts and Conaway, as well as Ranking Members Stabenow and Peterson, for their commitment to making this bill fair and equitable to the diverse needs of producers across all regions of the country. It was a heavy lift. They worked hard to ensure we would get this done before adjourning this Congress. I would also like to thank them for their willingness to include provisions that I advocated for in the conference report. Boozman priorities included in final version of 2018 Farm Bill Providing a workable safety net for farmers and ranchers:The farm bill strengthens and reauthorizes many programs important for producers, including Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and crop insurance. The improvements made to these programs ensure that producers across the country have a meaningful safety net with reduced regulatory and paperwork burdens. Eliminating waste and abuse within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):The federal government partners with states to administer SNAP and currently pays bonuses to states that administer the program satisfactorily. Unfortunately, states have exagg… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-tester-intensify-call-for-better-va-care-for-women-veterans Boozman, Tester Intensify Call for Better VA Care for Women Veterans 2018-12-17 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONU.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Jon Tester (D-MT) are pushing the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to immediately take steps to improve the quality of VA care for women veterans. Following VA Secretary Robert Wilkie's September presentation of the State of the VA to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee that showed that strides must still be made to improve services for women veterans, Tester and Boozman are urging Wilkie to implement low-cost and common sense reforms from their bipartisanDeborah Sampson Act. As you note, the number of women veterans using VA health care services has tripled since 2000, yet 52 percent of women veterans surveyed believe they are not entitled to, or eligible for, VA care,the Senators wrote to Wilkie.This disconnect clearly necessitates a more aggressive outreach campaign, targeted at women veterans, with the goal of better connecting them with access to what can often be life-saving services. Tester and Boozman are urging Wilkie to implement reforms from theirDeborah Sampson Actsuch as expanding the Women Veterans Call Center to include text message access to counselors and VA staff, partnering with community organizations on a pro-bono basis to help women veterans with legal issues that are contributing to their homelessness, and expanding women veteran mini-residency programs while the VA works to hire more dedicated women veteran clinical providers. They are also urging the department to begin to track women veterans' utilization of VA services and experiences at VA facilities to learn from current shortcomings and to fully staff and put in place strong leadership at the Center for Women Veterans. Boozman and Tester's letter to Wilkie can be read onlinehere. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/new-farm-bill-will-bring-certainty-and-predictability New Farm Bill Will Bring Certainty and Predictability 2018-12-17 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy This summer, I embarked on the #ARisAG tour, traveling the Natural State to highlight the importance of agriculture to Arkansas and to hear firsthand the concerns and ideas of our farmers and ranchers. During that tour, I heard one message over and over againpass a meaningful farm bill. It took some heavy lifting, but we have delivered for our farmers and ranchers. Congress has approved a final five-year reauthorization of the farm bill law. This is very good news for production agriculture and rural communities across our nation. First and foremost, the farm bill will bring much-needed certainty and predictability to farmers and ranchers over the next five years. This is especially important given the intense pressure our agriculture producers are under. If you look at the numbers across the nation, net farm income is approximately half of what it was when we passed the last farm bill. Farm bankruptcies are up by 39 percent since 2014, financing has become more expensive, commodity prices have plummeted, input costs are rising and the trade outlook is volatile and uncertain. Farmers across the countryregardless of where they call home or which crops they groware hurting. The farm bill that Congress approved delivers meaningful and real relief for our farmers and ranchers in these difficult times. Along with strengthening key risk management tools for our farmers, this legislation also helps our rural communities by authorizing crucial economic development and job creation programs along with provisions that range from combating the opioid crisis to home financing to high-speed internet access. The farm bill is vital to our continued economic growth in Arkansas. Agriculture is a driving force of the Natural State's economy, adding around $16 billion to our economy every year and accounting for approximately one in every six jobs. That's why agriculture advocacy groups in Arkansas were very excited when we passed the final version. The Arkansas Farm Bureau said it was pleased that Congress has recognized ho… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=1036 Cotton Op-Ed in National Review 'Fix the First Step Act and Keep Violent Criminals behind Bars' 2018-12-17 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 17, 2018 Fix the First Step Act and Keep Violent Criminals behind Bars National Review By: Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) Republicans can and should pass some common-sense amendments. This week, the Senate will vote on the latest version of the First Step Act, a criminal-justice bill that would release thousands of dangerous criminals from federal prison earlier than under current law. This effort is misguided and dangerous, as I havewrittenbefore. Thankfully, there is still time to limit the damage. Along with Senator John Kennedy, I have introduced an amendment to categorically exclude violent felons and sex offenders from the bill's time-credit program, which can be used for early release. We also have amendments to notify victims before a prisoner is released early, and to monitor whether prisoners who are released early commit more crimes. If advocates of First Step want to protect public safety, they will support all three amendments. Advocates of this bill already have taken a first step to improve the bill, thanks to criticism frommajor law-enforcement groups, victims of crime, and conservatives such as myself. After calling my concerns "100 percent fake news" and trying to force their bill through the lame-duck Congress without vetting, these advocates have finally acknowledged some of the problems I have identified and taken steps to fix them. For example, the "warden loophole" has been tightened (though not entirely closed), several crimes have been added to the ineligible-prisoners list, and fentanyl traffickers are no longer eligible to earn time credits (though unfortunately, these traffickers would still benefit from reduced sentences on the front end). The bill's "safety valve" provision was curtailed, so that judges will have less discretion to allow traffickers with serious criminal records to avoid mandatory minimum sentences required by law. These modest changes have satisfied some of my c… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bill-introduced-protect-communities-catastrophic-wildfires Bill Introduced to Protect Communities from Catastrophic Wildfires 2018-12-14 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Bruce Westerman W000821 westerman.house.gov westerman https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases scraper WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Westerman introduced H.R. 7315, the Protecting American Communities from Wildfire Act, on Thursday (December 13). "As more and more Americans move closer to our nation's forests, it is imperative that Congress protect our communities from the devastation of wildfire," Westerman said. "The lack of large-scale forest management -- combined with a patchwork of State, local, Tribal, and Federal landowners -- has resulted in dangerous, unhealthy forests, which in turn has led to the catastrophic, deadly fires we see today. "Congress must act to protect American lives, property, and watersheds. The Forest Service must be provided the management tools to quickly shield these at-risk communities, and further, Congress must provide landowners the incentives and the resources to implement sound management." H.R. 7315 accomplishes both goals. This act provides the Forest Service with the management tools they need to rapidly treat the Federal Forests in the Wildland-Urban Interface and simultaneously provides additional grant funding to at-risk communities, supporting programs ranging from the purchase of new firefighting equipment, to the FIREWISE Program. Expedited Forest Management in The Wildland- Urban Interface Provides USFS the authority to prescribe forest treatment plans within the Wildland-Urban interface, creating a halo of managed timber around an at-risk community. The Wildland-Urban Interface is a term defined on the local level: at-risk communities can tailor the amount of protective treatment needed for their town. Provides USFS the authority to prescribe forest treatment plans around the watersheds which supply at-risk communities, ensuring the steady supply of clean drinking water Categorically excludes the prescribed action from lengthy NEPA review, ensuring that this critical protection is rapidly implemented. Additional State Fire Assistance Funding 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-congratulates-tim-griffin-on-promotion-to-colonel Boozman Congratulates Tim Griffin on Promotion to Colonel 2018-12-14 2018 2018-12 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 Senate confirmed Lt. Governor Tim Griffin's promotion to Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves: Tim has always been motivated by a sense of duty which has led him to a life of service both in elected office and in the Army Reserves. His exceptional performance and strong leadership have earned him a promotion to the rank of Colonel and I am confident he will continue to excel in that role. I congratulate him and appreciate his continued service to our nation. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1035 Law Enforcement and Victims' Rights Group Support Cotton-Kennedy Amendments 2018-12-14 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 14, 2018 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) today announced support from law enforcement and victims' rights groups for the Cotton-Kennedy amendments to the First Step Act. Click here to read a letter from the National Association of Police Organizations. "I'm pleased that major law enforcement groups support our amendments to exclude violent felons and sex offenders from early release, notify victims before criminals are released, and to measure whether the First Step Act works. Next week, the Senate will vote on these amendments. I urge my colleagues to support these changes to ensure that no violent sex offenders can be eligible for any type of early release," said Senator Cotton. "The early release of criminals is not an issue that should be fast-tracked through Congress," said Senator Kennedy. "As written, the First Step Act could release many violent criminals and sex offenders. Our amendment addresses these threats to public safety, and it has been endorsed by law enforcement officers and victims' rights groups. I hope that the rest of our Senate colleagues realize the shortfalls of the First Step Act and vote to support this amendment." The Cotton-Kennedy amendments will: Exclude nine more classes of criminals from using time credits to transfer out of prison early, including sex offenders who attempt to coerce minors under 18 U.S.C. 2422(b) Require the Bureau of Prisons to attempt to notify victims before criminals are transferred out of prison Track the rearrests of criminals in prerelease custody or supervised release to ensure the program is working Senator Cotton and Senator Kennedy's amendments are supported by organizations representing hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers, including the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Associati… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/law-enforcement-and-victims-and-146-rights-group-support-cotton-kennedy-amendments Law Enforcement and Victims’ Rights Group Support Cotton-Kennedy Amendments 2018-12-14 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) today announced support from law enforcement and victims' rights groups for the Cotton-Kennedy amendments to the First Step Act. Click here to read a letter from the National Association of Police Organizations. "I'm pleased that major law enforcement groups support our amendments to exclude violent felons and sex offenders from early release, notify victims before criminals are released, and to measure whether the First Step Act works. Next week, the Senate will vote on these amendments. I urge my colleagues to support these changes to ensure that no violent sex offenders can be eligible for any type of early release," said Senator Cotton. "The early release of criminals is not an issue that should be fast-tracked through Congress," said Senator Kennedy. "As written, the First Step Act could release many violent criminals and sex offenders. Our amendment addresses these threats to public safety, and it has been endorsed by law enforcement officers and victims' rights groups. I hope that the rest of our Senate colleagues realize the shortfalls of the First Step Act and vote to support this amendment." The Cotton-Kennedy amendments will: Exclude nine more classes of criminals from using time credits to transfer out of prison early, including sex offenders who attempt to coerce minors under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) Require the Bureau of Prisons to attempt to notify victims before criminals are transferred out of prison Track the rearrests of criminals in prerelease custody or supervised release to ensure the program is working 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398805 Rep. Crawford Reacts to Passage of the Farm Bill Conference Report 2018-12-12 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Rick Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC- Today, the House of Representatives passed the Conference report to H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 by a record high vote of 369-47. Following passage of the legislation Crawford released the following statement: Given the importance of agriculture to Arkansas' economy, I'm pleased to see the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. This farm bill provides important updates to our food security system, delivers a robust crop insurance system, removes burdensome SAM/DUNs requirements for farm programs, invests in the vitality of our rural communities, and makes progress in our efforts to allow agriculture commodities to be exported to Cuba. Food security is a matter of national security, and a nation that cannot feed itself is a nation in trouble. This Farm bill ensures American farmers and ranchers will continue to produce a safe, affordable food and fiber supply for all Americans. Rep. Rick Crawford is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture as well as the Chairman of Subcommittee General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. He also served as a Conferee for the 2018 Farm Bill. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2413 Hill Stands with Arkansass Farm Families 2018-12-12 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill Stands with Arkansas's Farm Families f t # e Washington, December 12, 2018 WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) made the following statement regarding the comprehensive farm bill agreed to by the House and Senate: Agriculture is Arkansas's number one economic industry, and I am proud to support the passage of this year's comprehensive farm bill that brings much needed security and support to hardworking Arkansas farm families. Farmers benefit from programs funded through this bill including commodity, conservation, and research programs. We take pride in what we produce in our state, and I will continue supporting our farmers and ranchers who produce agricultural products that are second to none. With that said, while the bill makes significant improvements to the nutrition title and the SNAP program, I was disappointed that a statutory framework for enhancing opportunities for work was not included. I look forward to the United States Department of Agriculture's approach to help able-bodied recipients find work, get the education they need, or volunteer. Background This farm bill does the following: Reauthorizes and strengthens the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC), and Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) options for the next five years. Provides a strengthened safety net for farmers and ranchers, authorizing and restoring funding for vital tools for trade promotion and market development, and maintains long-standing legal authority for the secretary to aid farmers and ranchers affected by unfair foreign trading practices. Prioritizes working-land conservation by retaining and folding the best features of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) into the nation's flagship incentive-based program for voluntary conservation -- th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/farm-bill-passes-its-way-potus Farm Bill Passes; On Its Way to POTUS 2018-12-12 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Bruce Westerman W000821 westerman.house.gov westerman https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases scraper WASHINGTON – On Tuesday afternoon (December 12), the House of Representatives passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act. The legislation, better known as the Farm Bill, will now go to President Donald J. Trump for his signature after passing in the Senate earlier this week. Prior to final passage, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) spoke in favor of the legislation. His remarks, as delivered: "I thank the gentleman for yielding. "Mr. Speaker, I was blessed to be a walk-on football player for the University of Arkansas and participate on two 10-win conference championship teams. Coach Ken Hatfield's triple option offense averaged over 300 yards per game but it came in small chunks that resulted in first downs, that resulted in touchdowns, and eventually led to victories. "Mr. Speaker, farm incomes are down across the board, the West is consumed by wildfires, China and other nations are taking advantage of unfair trade laws. What rural America needs is a first down. Our farmers and ranchers need to see Congress move the ball forward and provide their families the protection and relief they need during these hard times. This Conference Report is not a hail Mary. It does not contain everything I would like to see in a Farm Bill but it does move the ball forward. It is progress that our farmers need right now. "I'm disappointed that Senate Democrats blocked many needed forest management provisions as we continue to sift through the ashes of catastrophic wildfires. However, this Conference Report strengthens the farm safety net and provides certainty to our farmers. It does address some forest management issues. It provides millions of dollars in new funding to combat a range of issues facing rural America – from funding to eradicate feral hogs to (funds to) address the opioid crisis and to expand rural broadband. This conference report moves farm policy in the right direction. I urge the adoption of the rule for this Farm Bill and I yield back." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399878 Womack, House Pass Farm Bill to Support Arkansas Agriculture 2018-12-12 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC December 12, 2018.Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) and the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the 2018 Farm Bill. The final version authorizes and reforms essential food and farm programs, including initiatives related to commodity and crop assistance, agricultural trade, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and rural development, for five years. The legislation, which passed by a margin of 369-47, makes critical investments to support Arkansas farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities. Congressman Womack said, Farmers and ranchers from Arkansas's Third Congressional District feed and fuel our economy and families across the globe. Our agriculture policies must create certainty for hardworking producers and advance a vibrant farm economy this Farm Bill delivers on those priorities. From enhancing insurance and risk management programs for dairy and livestock farmers, to investing in rural development and preventing SNAP fraud, this legislation makes sound reforms that support the strength of our food supply, producers, and American families. Amongst other provisions, the bill supports Arkansas's Third Congressional District by: Bolstering dairy and livestock protection, disaster, risk management, and safety net initiatives. Enhancing farm ownership and operating loan programs to better enable producers to maintain, buy, and expand investment into new or existing farms or ranches. Increasing funding for rural health and opioid addiction services. Investing in rural broadband access to support underserved areas. Establishing a National Animal Health Vaccine Bank to better protect livestock and prevent animal disease. Strengthening locally-led conservation programs that empower livestock producers, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Implementing reforms to prevent fraud under federal nutrition benefit programs. Womack has been an advoc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2410 Hill Supports Care for Americas Sickest Children 2018-12-11 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy Hill Supports Care for America's Sickest Children f t # e Washington, December 11, 2018 WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after supporting a bill, the IMPROVE Act, which helps children with complex medical conditions receive better access to the health care they need: Our nation's sickest children deserve a fighting chance to live, and this bill helps America's children with complex medical conditions receive the care they need. It cuts through red tape by allowing families and children to cross state lines and receive medical attention and access to medical professionals for specialized care. As a father and former board member of Arkansas Children's Hospital, I'm pleased to support this piece of legislation that gives our most vulnerable children the attention and care they deserve. Background The IMPROVE Act, H.R. 7217, does the following: Provides additional Medicaid expansion for coordinated care for certain groups of children with complex medical conditions. Provides for an extension of the Money Follows the Person program. Delays the application of competitive bid pricing with Complex Rehab Technology accessories and includes provisions to offset spending increases. f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-arkansas-ag-groups-applaud-senate-passage-of-final-farm-bill Boozman, Arkansas Ag Groups Applaud Senate Passage of Final Farm Bill 2018-12-11 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined with leading agriculture associations in Arkansas to applaud Senate passage of the final version of the 2018 Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorizes nearly every program housed under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including commodity programs; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); rural development loans and grants, including rural broadband; forestry; trade promotion; international food aid; research; livestock; and horticulture, among others. Agriculture is Arkansas's largest industry, adding around $16 billion to the state's economy every year and accounting for approximately one in every six jobs. Rice, soybeans, cotton, poultry and beef cattle are particular staples of Arkansas's agriculture economy. U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a farm bill conferee: Considering how vital agriculture is to Arkansas's economy, ensuring that we pass a final reauthorization of the farm bill before adjournment has been a top priority of mine. Our farmers and ranchers have been dealing with low commodity prices, high input costs, volatile weather events and an uncertain trade environment. The last thing they need is continued uncertainty that would only intensify if we failed to see this through the finish line. That is why we worked hard, in a bipartisan manner, to reach consensus on a final version that will deliver for Arkansans and all those who earn their livelihood in the agricultural economy, protect key risk management tools and maintain strong farm policy for producers of all stripes. Andrew Grobmyer, Executive Vice President of the Agricultural Council of Arkansas: We thank Senator Boozman and Congressmen Rick Crawford and Bruce Westerman for their efforts as farm bill conferees, and we are very pleased to see this measure nearing completion. We cannot stress enough the importance of the farm bill and the need for it among Arkansas farmers. Right now, there is nothing in place as the pre… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-statement-on-farm-bill-conference-report Boozman Statement on Farm Bill Conference Report 2018-12-11 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a farm bill conferee, released the following statement on the final version of the 2018 Farm Bill: This is welcome news for farmers, ranchers, rural Americans and consumers. Farmers and ranchers across the country have been dealing with low commodity prices, high input costs, volatile weather events and an uncertain trade environment. This farm bill will bring much-needed certainty and predictability to farm policy for the next five years. We worked hard, in a bipartisan manner, to reach consensus on a final version that will deliver for those who earn their livelihood in the agricultural economy, protect key risk management tools and maintain strong farm policy for producers of all stripes. I commend Chairmen Roberts and Conaway, as well as Ranking Members Stabenow and Peterson, for their commitment to finishing this bill, and their diligence to ensure that harmful policy changes were excluded from the final conference report. As a result of their leadership, we are well on our way to sending a farm bill to the president's desk that meets the diverse needs of producers across all regions of the country. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/forever-gi-bill-housing-payment-fulfillment-act-introduced-in-the-senate Forever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act Introduced in the Senate 2018-12-11 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONU.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses veterans for missed or underpaid Forever GI Bill housing benefits. The legislation was introduced to address the VA's failure to fully comply with reimbursement rates set by the Forever GI Bill. The improper payments resulted from IT systems that had not been properly updated and lack of internal processes to get the VA the necessary information about payment rates. The VA should have used the Department of Defense's 2018 Basic Allowance for Housing rates which should have been calculated based on the zip code where the student takes the majority of classes, rather than on the zip code in which the school's main campus is located. Instead, some GI Bill recipients have been receiving housing stipends at the 2017 rate and based on the school's zip code. In all cases, the 2018 rate is higher than the 2017 rate. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) joined Boozman and Schatz to introduce theForever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act, which would require the VA to: End improper payments as soon as possible; Establish a team of specialists who will be responsible to report to Congress a detailed plan to correct this egregious error; Provide a report to Congress by July 2020 that identifies how many beneficiaries were impacted and to what extent, aggregated by state; and Certify the department is fully compliant with the law. Secretary Wilkie has acknowledged the VA's error and promised that all affected recipients would be compensated, but the department's plans to remedy the situation fall short. This bill aims to hold the department accountable to its promise and ensure that veterans are fully repaid for errors they did not cause,Boozman said. Secreta… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1033 Cotton Statement on Criminal Justice Reform Floor Debate 2018-12-11 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 11, 2018 Washington, D.C. -Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the plan to bring the First Step Act to the Senate floor: "For months I've said the First Step Act allows violent felons and sex offenders to be released early. I'm pleased the drafters have finally acknowledged that reality and made changes to address some of the specific issues I pointed out. Unfortunately, the bill still has major problems and allows early release for many categories of serious, violent criminals. This includes felons who commit violent bank robberies with dangerous weapons, who assault children, and who commit carjacking with the intent to cause death. I look forward to debating this bill on the Senate floor and introducing amendments to address its many remaining threats to public safety." Crimes still eligible for early release in the latest version of the bill: 1. Bank robbery with a dangerous weapon (18 U.S.C. 2113(d)) 2. Assault against a child (18 U.S.C. 113(a)(5)) 3. Carjacking with intent to cause death (18 U.S.C. 2119(1)) 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1034 Cotton Supports New WOTUS Rule 2018-12-11 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 11, 2018 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement today after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army proposed a new definition of the waters of the U.S. rule that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. "Everyone wants clean water, but the 2015 waters of the U.S.' rule was a vast and vague expansion of federal regulation, especially in Arkansas. The new definition announced today still protects our waterways while giving producers and landowners the clarity they need to farm and build. Many of the proposed changes closely mirror my own legislative solution to this regulatory problem, and I'm pleased that the Trump administration has followed through on its promise to rural America." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/2018/12/11/cotton-statement-on-criminal-justice-reform-floor-debate Cotton Statement on Criminal Justice Reform Floor Debate 2018-12-11 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. -Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the plan to bring the First Step Act to the Senate floor: "For months I've said the First Step Act allows violent felons and sex offenders to be released early. I'm pleased the drafters have finally acknowledged that reality and made changes to address some of the specific issues I pointed out. Unfortunately, the bill still has major problems and allows early release for many categories of serious, violent criminals. This includes felons who commit violent bank robberies with dangerous weapons, who assault children, and who commit carjacking with the intent to cause death. I look forward to debating this bill on the Senate floor and introducing amendments to address its many remaining threats to public safety." Crimes still eligible for early release in the latest version of the bill: 1. Bank robbery with a dangerous weapon (18 U.S.C. § 2113(d)) 2. Assault against a child (18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(5)) 3. Carjacking with intent to cause death (18 U.S.C. 2119(1)) 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-supports-new-wotus-rule Cotton Supports New WOTUS Rule 2018-12-11 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement today after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army proposed a new definition of the waters of the U.S. rule that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. "Everyone wants clean water, but the 2015 ‘waters of the U.S.' rule was a vast and vague expansion of federal regulation, especially in Arkansas. The new definition announced today still protects our waterways while giving producers and landowners the clarity they need to farm and build. Many of the proposed changes closely mirror my own legislative solution to this regulatory problem, and I'm pleased that the Trump administration has followed through on its promise to rural America." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/serving-others-is-a-noble-calling Serving Others is a Noble Calling 2018-12-10 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Former President George H.W. Bush lived a life dedicated to faith, family and his country. As we mourn his passing and share memories of his life and his remarkable leadership, we are reminded of his example of service and encouraged to open our hearts and give back to our own communities. The 41stPresident, fond of writing letters, once wroteI believe I was right when I said, as president, there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others. He found fulfillment and gratification in service and knew that, with a little concerted effort, his fellow Americans could experience that same joy. This doesn't mean that we must accept the same roles and responsibilities of the former president, but rather that we all have a part to play in making our neighborhood, community, state, country and world a better place. America is shaped by individuals who take initiative to serve others.Average citizens of all ages and backgrounds recognizing a need in their communities and contributing their talents and skills to make a difference happens every day in various capacities across our country. We don't have to look far to find examples of Arkansans who are serving causes greater than themselves. As a seventh grader, Alexis Roberson of Caraway was honored for her volunteerism. She experienced hardships growing up which fueled her passion to help others in difficult circumstances. This included launchingBooks for Bailey,' in memory of her friend who dreamed of collecting coloring books and crayons for sick children. Those called to serve also wear our nation's uniform and selflessly bear the burden of defending our interests, no matter the cost. Army Sergeant First Class Eric Emond, amember of 1stBattalion, 3rdSpecial Forces Group, called Springdale, Arkansas home when he enlisted in the Marine Corps 21 years ago. He dedicated his career to the military, serving in the Marines and later joining the Army. In 2009, he was severely wounded while serving in Afghanistan. Even during his recover… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1031 Senators Support Arkansas Marshallese Community 2018-12-10 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 10, 2018 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) supported Senate passage of H.R. 3398, the REAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act. The legislation amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to allow citizens of the Marshall Islands and other Pacific Freely Associated States who legally live in the U.S. to obtain a driver's license or personal identification card. Due to the omission of the Freely Associated States in the 2005 REAL ID Act, Marshallese living in the U.S. have been denied anything more than a temporary ID or driver's license valid only for one year, complicating their ability to maintain employment and open bank accounts. The Senate passed the bill yesterday by unanimous consent. "Arkansas is home to thousands of Marshallese. Removing the unintended barrier to obtaining a driver's license or personal ID card will help residents become even more productive members of the community. This legislation addresses this hurdle for the Marshallese community and other citizens of Freely Associated States living in the U.S. We strongly urge the president to sign this bill quickly into law," the senators said. "I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Senators Cotton and Boozman for their effectiveness in shepherding the REAL ID Modification for Freely Associated States Act (H.R.3398) through the United States Senate. Their strong leadership will enable our Marshallese citizens living in Arkansas and throughout the country to contribute fully to the communities that have embraced them. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is proud of our extraordinarily close relationship with the United States of America, and those of us who call Arkansas our second home deeply appreciate the opportunities made possible today by Senators Cotton and Boozman," said Marshall Islands Ambassador Gerald Zackios. In 1986, the U.S. and Marshall Islands entered into the Compact of Free A… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1032 Senators Cotton, Jones, Merkley Lead Bipartisan Effort to Stop Predatory Unsolicited Loans 2018-12-10 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 10, 2018 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced legislation that would halt the predatory practice of mailing high-interest loans to consumers in the form of "live" checks. When consumers receive these loan checks, many unknowingly believe they have received money from their bank or financial institution, not realizing that the check is often a high-interest loan. The Unsolicited Loan Act of 2018 would prohibit this practice and ensure that consumers access loans only when they proactively apply for them. This legislation mirrors the decades old prohibition on the mailing of live credit cards. "People should understand clearly when they are taking on debt. But because live' checks mailed directly to consumers don't require an application or any previous relationship with the consumer, many individuals don't realize that these checks are actually high-interest loans until it's too late. Just like Congress ended the practice of mailing live' credit cards nearly 50 years ago, Congress should pass our bill now to stop this underhanded practice," said Senator Cotton. "As working Americans look to make ends meet, lenders will often target cash-strapped families with these mailings. It is unconscionable that someone would take advantage of another person's dire financial situation to make a quick buck for themselves. We need to end this predatory lending tactic and pass this legislation to protect consumers and their pocketbooks," said Senator Jones. "When you receive a check in the mail, it's natural to assume that depositing it will help-not hurt-your bottom line. But these checks don't pad consumers' pocketbooks; instead, they send them into a vortex of debt. The practice of mailing high-interest loans disguised as checks is unconscionable and clearly predatory. Today, we're sending a bipartisan message that this unacceptable practice mu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-cotton-jones-merkley-lead-bipartisan-effort-to-stop-predatory-unsolicited-loans Senators Cotton, Jones, Merkley Lead Bipartisan Effort to Stop Predatory Unsolicited Loans 2018-12-10 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced legislation that would halt the predatory practice of mailing high-interest loans to consumers in the form of "live" checks. When consumers receive these loan checks, many unknowingly believe they have received money from their bank or financial institution, not realizing that the check is often a high-interest loan. The Unsolicited Loan Act of 2018 would prohibit this practice and ensure that consumers access loans only when they proactively apply for them. This legislation mirrors the decades old prohibition on the mailing of live credit cards. "People should understand clearly when they are taking on debt. But because ‘live' checks mailed directly to consumers don't require an application or any previous relationship with the consumer, many individuals don't realize that these checks are actually high-interest loans until it's too late. Just like Congress ended the practice of mailing ‘live' credit cards nearly 50 years ago, Congress should pass our bill now to stop this underhanded practice," said Senator Cotton. "As working Americans look to make ends meet, lenders will often target cash-strapped families with these mailings. It is unconscionable that someone would take advantage of another person's dire financial situation to make a quick buck for themselves. We need to end this predatory lending tactic and pass this legislation to protect consumers and their pocketbooks," said Senator Jones. "When you receive a check in the mail, it's natural to assume that depositing it will help-not hurt-your bottom line. But these checks don't pad consumers' pocketbooks; instead, they send them into a vortex of debt. The practice of mailing high-interest loans disguised as checks is unconscionable and clearly predatory. Today, we're sending a bipartisan message that this unacceptable practice must end," said Senator Merkley. Background on the Unsolicited Loan Act of 2018 It has been long recognized… 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-support-arkansas-marshallese-community Senators Support Arkansas Marshallese Community 2018-12-10 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) supported Senate passage of H.R. 3398, the REAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act. The legislation amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to allow citizens of the Marshall Islands and other Pacific Freely Associated States who legally live in the U.S. to obtain a driver's license or personal identification card. Due to the omission of the Freely Associated States in the 2005 REAL ID Act, Marshallese living in the U.S. have been denied anything more than a temporary ID or driver's license valid only for one year, complicating their ability to maintain employment and open bank accounts. The Senate passed the bill yesterday by unanimous consent. "Arkansas is home to thousands of Marshallese. Removing the unintended barrier to obtaining a driver's license or personal ID card will help residents become even more productive members of the community. This legislation addresses this hurdle for the Marshallese community and other citizens of Freely Associated States living in the U.S. We strongly urge the president to sign this bill quickly into law," the senators said. "I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Senators Cotton and Boozman for their effectiveness in shepherding the REAL ID Modification for Freely Associated States Act (H.R.3398) through the United States Senate. Their strong leadership will enable our Marshallese citizens living in Arkansas and throughout the country to contribute fully to the communities that have embraced them. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is proud of our extraordinarily close relationship with the United States of America, and those of us who call Arkansas our second home deeply appreciate the opportunities made possible today by Senators Cotton and Boozman," said Marshall Islands Ambassador Gerald Zackios. In 1986, the U.S. and Marshall Islands entered into the Compact of Free Association, which allows Marshallese to live and work in the U.S. as non-immigrants. Northwest Arkansas has … 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2409 Press Release: Hills Bill Directs Creation of New Rules that Allow Main Street Investors to Grow Businesses 2018-12-07 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON The Securities and Exchange Commission recently released regulatory rules as mandated by Congressman French Hill's (AR-02) Fair Access to Investment Research Act, which was signed into law on October 6, 2017. Congressman Hill made the following statement regarding the final rule: I'm pleased that my legislation opened up research of the rapidly growing exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to be publicly available, which allows Main Street investors to enhance their knowledge about investment options. The FAIR Act Rules provide a common-sense fix to current law barriers by removing unnecessary burdens that have prevented investors from accessing helpful market information. I've personally seen the research produced by financial services firms, and am pleased that retail investors both in Arkansas and across the country now have access to it. Background: The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules and amendments designed to promote researchon mutual funds, exchangetraded funds, registered closed-end funds, business development companies, and similar covered investment funds. These changes reduce obstacles to providing research on investment funds by harmonizing the treatment of such research with research on other public companies. The Commission took this action in furtherance of the mandate in theFair Access to Investment Research Act of 2017 (FAIR Act). 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/senators-support-arkansas-marshallese-community Senators Support Arkansas Marshallese Community 2018-12-07 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C.U.S. SenatorsJohn Boozman (R-AR) andTom Cotton (R-AR) supported Senatepassage of H.R. 3398, the REAL ID ActModificationfor Freely Associated States Act. The legislation amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to allow citizens of the Marshall Islands and other Pacific Freely Associated States who legally live in the U.S. to obtain a driver's license or personal identification card. Due totheomissionof the Freely Associated Statesin the 2005 REAL ID Act,Marshalleseliving in the U.S. have been denied anything more than a temporary ID or driver's license valid only for one year, complicating their ability tomaintain employment and open bank accounts. The Senate passed the bill yesterday by unanimous consent. Arkansas is home to thousands ofMarshallese. Removing theunintendedbarrier to obtaining a driver's license or personal ID card willhelp residents become evenmoreproductive members of the community. This legislation addresses this hurdle for theMarshallesecommunity and other citizens of Freely Associated States living in the U.S. We strongly urge the president to sign this bill quicklyinto law, thesenatorssaid. I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Senators Cotton and Boozman for their effectiveness in shepherding the REAL ID Modification for Freely Associated States Act (H.R.3398) through the United States Senate. Their strong leadership will enable our Marshallese citizens living in Arkansas and throughout the country to contribute fully to the communities that have embraced them. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is proud of our extraordinarily close relationship with the United States of America, and those of us who call Arkansas our second home deeply appreciate the opportunities made possible today by Senators Cotton and Boozman, saidMarshall Islands Ambassador Gerald Zackios. In 1986, the U.S. andMarshall Islandsentered into the Compact of Free Association, which allowsMarshalleseto live and work in the U.S. as non-immigrants. Northwest Arkansas has the largestMarshallesepopulation in the contine… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399876 Members of Arkansas and Missouri Congressional Delegations Announce $25 Million Grant for Critical Segment of I-49 2018-12-06 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC December 6, 2018. U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), along with U.S. Representatives Billy Long (MO-07) and Steve Womack (AR-03), announced that $25 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has been awarded to complete work on a critical segment of Interstate 49 that will connect Arkansas and Missouri. The Arkansas/Missouri connector, often referred to as the Bella Vista Bypass, is the only portion of the more than 290-mile route between Kansas City, Missouri and Fort Smith, Arkansas that is not interstate quality. Traffic signals in Bella Vista and just across the state line in Missouri cause major traffic congestion and dramatically slow travel time. The states have worked to complete this 18.9-mile section of I-49 at the Missouri-Arkansas line for more than 25 years. Funding for the project is being awarded from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program which is allocated for nationally and regionally significant projects. Completion of the critical stretch of the I-49 Arkansas-Missouri Connector is 25 years in the making and I'm thrilled we're one step closer to getting it done, said Blunt. Completing this project will increase safety, improve the quality of life, and strengthen local economies in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. Missouri's transportation networks are our greatest competitive advantage, and I appreciate the partnership of our Arkansas colleagues in moving this project forward. This is exciting news for Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. Securing these funds for this shovel-ready project has taken years of vigorous and persistent advocating from my team. Our hard work has finally resulted in funding for a project that will yield dividends when it comes to economic growth and quality of life in the region, Boozman said. I appreciate Secretary Chao's leadership in recognizing the importance of a project that I have championed throughout my time in Congress. Inter… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399877 Senate Passes Womack Cosponsored Bill to Support Marshallese in Arkansas 2018-12-06 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Senate Passes Womack Cosponsored Bill to Support Marshallese in Arkansas f t # e Washington, December 6, 2018 Washington, DC December 6, 2018.Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after the Senate passed theREAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States, legislation he cosponsored and helped pass in the House. The legislation reforms current law to allow the Marshallese and other citizens of Freely Associated States to obtain a permanent driver's license or personal identification card. The bill will now head to President's desk for final signature. More information about the bill can be found here. I am thrilled to see the Senate take action to support the Marshallese community in Springdale and across the U.S. Today's passage means that Marshallese residents of Arkansas's Third Congressional District are one step closer to having the tools needed to further empower themselves and pursue opportunity in our region. The Marshallese people are part of the fabric of our state, and this common sense solution will support the great relationship we have built as a community. I look forward to seeing it swiftly signed into law by President Trump. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense, military construction-veterans affairs, and labor-health and human services subcommittees. Additionally, he co-chairs the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. 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/2018/12/hot-springs-to-receive-20-million-for-bypass-extension Hot Springs to Receive $20 Million for Bypass Extension 2018-12-06 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C.Senators John Boozman(R-AR) and Tom Cotton(R-AR), along with Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award the Arkansas Department of Transportation a $20 million BUILD grant to construct the Hot Springsbypassextension. The extension would run from the interchange withHighway 70 east of thecity of Hot Springs and extend north to the intersection of Highways5 and 7. This project is vital to improving regional connectivity and economic viability in the greater Hot Springs area and these funds will help make it a reality. The bypass extension will provide an alternative route to access Hot Springs which should reduce traffic and enhance the historic, revitalized downtown in addition to the jobs and economic activity it will create during and after construction. I appreciate Secretary Chao and the Department of Transportation's recognition of how worthwhile and significant this project will be for Garland County,Senator Boozmansaid. This announcement is great news for the greater Hot Springs community and Arkansas as a whole. This extension will help Hot Springs continue to grow, and I'm grateful to Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for their dedication to improving Arkansas infrastructure,Senator Cottonsaid. The bypass in Hot Springs plays an outsized role in our region's economy and movement of goods. This grant will further support and expand the bypass, creating opportunity for additional economic development in the Ouachitas. It will also improve response time for emergency services, which will save lives. I thank Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for awarding this grant important to our region's expanding infrastructure,Congressman Westermansaid. The Administration's continued investment in infrastructure promises to stimulate economic investment, improve quality of life, and create safe, reliable transportation in our communities,saidU.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/members-of-arkansas-missouri-congressional-delegations-announce-25-million-grant-for-critical-segment-of-i-49 Members of Arkansas & Missouri Congressional Delegations Announce $25 Million Grant for Critical Segment of I-49 2018-12-06 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), along with U.S. Representatives Billy Long (MO-07) and Steve Womack (AR-03), announced that $25 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has been awarded to complete work on a critical segment of Interstate 49 that will connect Arkansas and Missouri. The Arkansas/Missouri connector, often referred to as the Bella Vista Bypass, is the only portion of the more than 290-mile route between Kansas City, Missouri and Fort Smith, Arkansas that is not interstate quality. Traffic signals in Bella Vista and just across the state line in Missouri cause major traffic congestion and dramatically slow travel time. The states have worked to complete this 18.9-mile section of I-49 at the Missouri-Arkansas line for more than 25 years. Funding for the project is being awarded from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program which is allocated for nationally and regionally significant projects. Completion of the critical stretch of the I-49 Arkansas-Missouri Connector is 25 years in the making and I'm thrilled we're one step closer to getting it done, said Blunt. Completing this project will increase safety, improve the quality of life, and strengthen local economies in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. Missouri's transportation networks are our greatest competitive advantage, and I appreciate the partnership of our Arkansas colleagues in moving this project forward. This is exciting news for Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. Securing these funds for this shovel-ready project has taken years of vigorous and persistent advocating from my team. Our hard work has finally resulted in funding for a project that will yield dividends when it comes to economic growth and quality of life in the region, Boozman said. I appreciate Secretary Chao's leadership in recognizing the importance of a project that I have championed throughout my time in Congress. Interstate access heralds th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1029 Members of Arkansas & Missouri Congressional Delegations Announce $25 Million Grant for Critical Segment of I-49 2018-12-06 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 6, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:Caroline TablerorJames Arnold(202) 224-2353 WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Boozman (R-AR), and Roy Blunt (R-MO), along with U.S. Representatives Billy Long (MO-07) and Steve Womack (AR-03), announced that $25 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has been awarded to complete work on a critical segment of Interstate 49 that will connect Arkansas and Missouri. The Arkansas/Missouri connector, often referred to as the Bella Vista Bypass, is the only portion of the more than 290-mile route between Kansas City, Missouri and Fort Smith, Arkansas that is not interstate quality. Traffic signals in Bella Vista and just across the state line in Missouri cause major traffic congestion and dramatically slow travel time. The states have worked to complete this 18.9-mile section of I-49 at the Missouri-Arkansas line for more than 25 years. Funding for the project is being awarded from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program which is allocated for nationally and regionally significant projects. Interstate access heralds the continued economic growth of any area, which is why completing the Bella Vista bypass is vital for Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. Many businesses and future infrastructure projects depend on its finalization, and this funding will allow that project's construction finally to move forward. I am grateful to Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for their dedication to improving Arkansas infrastructure,said Cotton. This is exciting news for Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. Securing these funds for this shovel-ready project has taken years of vigorous and persistent advocating from my team. Our hard work has finally resulted in funding for a project that will yield dividends when it comes to economic growth and quality of life in the region,Boozman said. I appreci… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1030 Hot Springs to Receive $20 Million for Bypass Extension 2018-12-06 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 6, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:Caroline TablerorJames Arnold(202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C.Senators Tom Cotton(R-AR) and John Boozman(R-AR), along with Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award the Arkansas Department of Transportation a $20 million BUILD grant to construct the Hot Springsbypassextension. The extension would run from the interchange withHighway 70 east of thecity of Hot Springs and extend north to the intersection of Highways5 and 7. This announcement is great news for the greater Hot Springs community and Arkansas as a whole. This extension will help Hot Springs continue to grow, and I'm grateful to Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for their dedication to improving Arkansas infrastructure,Senator Cottonsaid. This project is vital to improving regional connectivity and economic viability in the greater Hot Springs area and these funds will help make it a reality. The bypass extension will provide an alternative route to access Hot Springs which should reduce traffic and enhance the historic, revitalized downtown in addition to the jobs and economic activity it will create during and after construction. I appreciate Secretary Chao and the Department of Transportation's recognition of how worthwhile and significant this project will be for Garland County,Senator Boozmansaid. The bypass in Hot Springs plays an outsized role in our region's economy and movement of goods. This grant will further support and expand the bypass, creating opportunity for additional economic development in the Ouachitas. It will also improve response time for emergency services, which will save lives. I thank Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for awarding this grant important to our region's expanding infrastructure,Congressman Westermansaid. The Administration's continued investment in infrastructure promises to stimulate economi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hot-springs-to-receive-20-million-for-bypass-extension Hot Springs to Receive $20 Million for Bypass Extension 2018-12-06 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or James Arnold (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. — Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and John Boozman (R-AR), along with Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award the Arkansas Department of Transportation a $20 million BUILD grant to construct the Hot Springs bypass extension. The extension would run from the interchange with Highway 70 east of the city of Hot Springs and extend north to the intersection of Highways 5 and 7. “This announcement is great news for the greater Hot Springs community and Arkansas as a whole. This extension will help Hot Springs continue to grow, and I’m grateful to Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for their dedication to improving Arkansas infrastructure,” Senator Cotton said. “This project is vital to improving regional connectivity and economic viability in the greater Hot Springs area and these funds will help make it a reality. The bypass extension will provide an alternative route to access Hot Springs which should reduce traffic and enhance the historic, revitalized downtown in addition to the jobs and economic activity it will create during and after construction. I appreciate Secretary Chao and the Department of Transportation’s recognition of how worthwhile and significant this project will be for Garland County,” Senator Boozman said. “The bypass in Hot Springs plays an outsized role in our region’s economy and movement of goods. This grant will further support and expand the bypass, creating opportunity for additional economic development in the Ouachitas. It will also improve response time for emergency services, which will save lives. I thank Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for awarding this grant important to our region’s expanding infrastructure,” Congressman Westerman said. “The Administration’s continued investment in infrastructure promises to stimulate economic investment, improve quality of life, and create safe, reliable transportation in o… 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/members-of-arkansas-and-missouri-congressional-delegations-announce-25-million-grant-for-critical-segment-of-i-49 Members of Arkansas & Missouri Congressional Delegations Announce $25 Million Grant for Critical Segment of I-49 2018-12-06 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or James Arnold (202) 224-2353 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Boozman (R-AR), and Roy Blunt (R-MO), along with U.S. Representatives Billy Long (MO-07) and Steve Womack (AR-03), announced that $25 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has been awarded to complete work on a critical segment of Interstate 49 that will connect Arkansas and Missouri. The Arkansas/Missouri connector, often referred to as the Bella Vista Bypass, is the only portion of the more than 290-mile route between Kansas City, Missouri and Fort Smith, Arkansas that is not interstate quality. Traffic signals in Bella Vista and just across the state line in Missouri cause major traffic congestion and dramatically slow travel time. The states have worked to complete this 18.9-mile section of I-49 at the Missouri-Arkansas line for more than 25 years. Funding for the project is being awarded from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program which is allocated for nationally and regionally significant projects. “Interstate access heralds the continued economic growth of any area, which is why completing the Bella Vista bypass is vital for Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. Many businesses and future infrastructure projects depend on its finalization, and this funding will allow that project’s construction finally to move forward. I am grateful to Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration for their dedication to improving Arkansas infrastructure,” said Cotton. “This is exciting news for Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. Securing these funds for this shovel-ready project has taken years of vigorous and persistent advocating from my team. Our hard work has finally resulted in funding for a project that will yield dividends when it comes to economic growth and quality of life in the region,” Boozman said. “I appreciate Secretary Chao’s leadership in recognizing the importance of a project that I have championed… 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/why-nato-is-as-important-as-ever Why NATO is as Important as Ever 2018-12-05 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy When the Second World War came to an end, the uneasy alliance between Western powers and the Soviet Union quickly dissolved into acrimony and tension. While European nations struggled to rebuild from the devastation, they were forced to grapple with an increasingly hostile and aggressive Soviet Union. It was amid this backdrop that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was born. The Soviet Union no longer exists, but the threat of a hostile and aggressive superpower in eastern Europe remains. Russia's seizure of Ukrainian Navy vessels is the latest in a long line of aggressive actions undertaken by Vladimir Putin's regime. Putin has overseen the hostile annexation of Crimea, destabilization in Syria, election meddling in Western democracies and a litany of additional aggressions. The need for a strong NATO is as important as ever. As a former member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), I firmly believe that strong relationships with our NATO allies are vital to confronting the security and economic challenges of the 21st century. The assembly, while institutionally separate from NATO, provides a critical forum for international parliamentary dialogue on an array of security, political and economic matters. Members of parliament from NATO countries are key to ensuring that the alliance's funding obligations are met and the case for NATO actions is conveyed to the public. I recently joined my NATO PA counterparts from other nations in Nova Scotia, Canada to discuss critical issues facing our alliance. Discussions like these, where members of parliament from member countries participate, are vital to influencing NATO decisions. The American delegation demonstrated and reaffirmed the strong Congressional support of NATO. While leaders from the allied nations won't always be on the same the page on every issue, including the amount of defense spending each nation commits, that does not diminish the U.S. commitment to the alliance. We will continue to encourage other m… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1028 Cotton Statement on NATO Confirmation that Russia is in Breach of INF Treaty 2018-12-04 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 4, 2018 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement after NATO declared Russia in material breach of the INF Treaty: "President Reagan deserves high praise for negotiating the INF Treaty more than 30 years ago, but the world is a different place today. Moscow has deployed intermediate-range weapons that can strike at the heart of Europe-in violation of their treaty commitments-while Beijing stockpiles missiles in an attempt to limit American action in the Pacific. We need to change old policies to ward off new threats. America must not allow our authoritarian rivals to build and deploy dangerous, destabilizing weapons while we keep one hand tied behind our back." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-nato-confirmation-that-russia-is-in-breach-of-inf-treaty Cotton Statement on NATO Confirmation that Russia is in Breach of INF Treaty 2018-12-04 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement after NATO declared Russia in material breach of the INF Treaty: "President Reagan deserves high praise for negotiating the INF Treaty more than 30 years ago, but the world is a different place today. Moscow has deployed intermediate-range weapons that can strike at the heart of Europe-in violation of their treaty commitments-while Beijing stockpiles missiles in an attempt to limit American action in the Pacific. We need to change old policies to ward off new threats. America must not allow our authoritarian rivals to build and deploy dangerous, destabilizing weapons while we keep one hand tied behind our back." 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/brinkley-mobile-office Brinkley Mobile Office 2018-12-03 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Members of my staff host Mobile Office events across the state year-around. These events allow my staff to be available at the walk-in events to help Arkansans who are having problems involving the federal government or who want to share their thoughts about legislative issues. Below is a complete listing of upcoming (denoted by red push pin) and past (denoted by blue push pin) mobile offices: 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1027 Cotton, Warren Introduce National POW/MIA Flag Act 2018-12-03 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy December 3, 2018 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) today introduced The National POW/MIA Flag Act, which would require the POW/MIA Flag to be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties, including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the office of the Director of the Selective Service System, each major military installation (as designated by the Secretary of Defense), each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, and each United States Postal Service post office. The senators introduced this bill to honor the more than 82,000 Americans who are listed as Prisoners of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), or otherwise unaccounted for from our nation's past wars and conflicts. Under current law, the POW/MIA Flag is required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days per year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day. The National POW/MIA Flag Act will ensure that the POW/MIA Flag is displayed whenever the U.S. flag is displayed, effectively ensuring that both flags are displayed concurrently and every day at federal locations already designated under existing law. "Over 82,000 Americans, including hundreds of Arkansans, remain missing from past wars," Senator Cotton said. "They are not forgotten. It is my hope that this small gesture reminds Americans to honor those who left our shores and never returned." "All three of my brothers served in the military, and I understand the sacrifices our servicemembers and their families make to keep our country safe every single day," Senator … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-warren-introduce-national-pow/mia-flag-act Cotton, Warren Introduce National POW/MIA Flag Act 2018-12-03 2018 2018-12 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) today introduced The National POW/MIA Flag Act, which would require the POW/MIA Flag to be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties, including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the office of the Director of the Selective Service System, each major military installation (as designated by the Secretary of Defense), each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, and each United States Postal Service post office. The senators introduced this bill to honor the more than 82,000 Americans who are listed as Prisoners of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), or otherwise unaccounted for from our nation's past wars and conflicts. Under current law, the POW/MIA Flag is required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days per year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day. The National POW/MIA Flag Act will ensure that the POW/MIA Flag is displayed whenever the U.S. flag is displayed, effectively ensuring that both flags are displayed concurrently and every day at federal locations already designated under existing law. "Over 82,000 Americans, including hundreds of Arkansans, remain missing from past wars," Senator Cotton said. "They are not forgotten. It is my hope that this small gesture reminds Americans to honor those who left our shores and never returned." "All three of my brothers served in the military, and I understand the sacrifices our servicemembers and their families make to keep our country safe every single day," Senator Warren said. "We must honor those who have served our nation courageously, including those who have not made … 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2397 Hills Statement on the Passing of President George H.W. Bush 2018-12-01 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after the passing of President George H.W. Bush: It's with heavy hearts that Martha and I mourn the passing of a loyal friend, mentor, and faithful servant, President George H.W. Bush. We lift up the Bush family during this time of grieving and honor the remarkable life and legacy of a strong leader and diplomat, a great father, and an American patriot. In our early careers, we treasured working for him on his campaigns and the humbling responsibility of serving on his White House staff. We were grateful for his daily example of goofy humor, courtesy, friendship, and passion for writing handwritten thank-you notes. Truly, President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush were the ideal neighbors, members of the PTA, and the answer to the question on that common form at school or work, in case of emergency, please call...' We loved him very much. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/12/boozman-statement-on-passing-of-george-h-w-bush Boozman Statement on Passing of George H.W. Bush 2018-12-01 2018 2018-12 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement on the passing of former President George H.W. Bush: George H.W. Bush was adevoted husband, father, grandfather andpublic servant who spenta lifetime answering his nation's call to service.Hislove of countryandexample offaithfulcivicdutyare standardswe should all strive to meet.His legacy will continue toinspire future generations to servethe samegreat cause. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bush family, friends and our country as we remember this great American leader. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/11/boozman-schatz-call-for-inspector-general-investigation-into-va-s-failure-to-pay-veterans-full-benefits Boozman, Schatz Call for Inspector General Investigation into VA's Failure to Pay Veterans Full Benefits 2018-11-30 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONU.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman and Ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, led a group of lawmakers in calling for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General investigation into allegations that the VA would not reimburse veterans for missed or underpaid benefits. When I brought the issue of GI Bill underpayments up to Secretary Wilkie during a hearing in September, he acknowledged the VA's error and promised that all affected recipients would be compensated. When recent news reports suggested the VA was not acting to help veterans who have been shortchanged, the department outlined its plans to remedy the situation. Those plans fall short. These veterans must be fully repaid for errors they did not cause and that is what I expect the VA to do,Boozman said. Secretary Wilkie may be saying the right things, but until the VA invests money to address the ongoing staffing and IT challenges facing the claims backlog, our veterans will remain robbed of the benefits they were promised,said Schatz.I expect the Secretary to come up with a plan so that the VA can audit and process retroactive payments for underpaid or missed claims. And I look forward to the Inspector General helping us hold him accountable to that plan. In their bipartisan letter to the VA's Inspector General, the lawmakers ask about how the technical errors occurred, how quickly any reimbursements will be made, and how the VA plans to make sure all benefits will continue to be paid out without interruption. The VA's continued ambiguity about whether it will fulfill this legal requirement threatens to erode our veterans' confidence in the VA's ability to deliver promised care and benefits and demands close oversight and accountability,the lawmakers wrote.It is important that VA fix the technical and staffing shortages that contributed to its inability to implement the Forever GI bill so that it can continue to provide housing stipends to… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=1026 Cotton in Washington Times 'How the Senate First Step Act is flawed' 2018-11-30 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy November 30, 2018 How the Senate First Step Act is flawed The Senate First Step Act would make sweeping changes to our federal criminal justice system. While the bill's supporters have started this reform process with good intentions, the latest version of the bill would result in the early release of thousands of violent felons. My Senate colleagues should take the time to fix the flaws in this legislation instead of rushing a bill through in the lame-duck session. Proponents of the bill claim that "nothing in the First Step Act gives inmates early release." Instead, they say that federal prisoners can earn time credits for participation in recidivism reduction programming and other productive activities. But these new time credits do allow for early release - up to one-third of the offender's sentence - and are in addition to existing "good time" credits. One of the major problems with the bill is that thousands of offenders will be released almost immediately because two sections apply retroactively. That means they will not participate in any additional rehabilitation programs. The release of such a large number of prisoners at once will surely endanger public safety and will strain law enforcement's ability to protect their communities. Even for the sections that only apply prospectively, inmates only have to participate in "productive activities" to get credits for early release. That includes playing softball, watching movies or doing activities that the prisoners are already doing. Defenders of the bill will say these risks to the public aren't realistic because serious and violent criminals are ineligible for earning new credits. While some inmates are excluded from earning new credits, many perpetrators of violent crimes would be allowed to earn these new credits - crimes including, but not limited to, drug-related robberies, involving assault with a dangerous weapon, using a deadly weapon to assault a law enfo… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/11/boozman-statement-on-va-s-plan-to-repay-gi-bill-beneficiaries-for-housing-allowance-errors Boozman Statement on VA's Plan to Repay GI Bill Beneficiaries for Housing Allowance Errors 2018-11-29 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR)Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agenciesreleased the following statement regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) plans to compensate Forever GI Bill beneficiaries who were underpaid: When I brought the issue of GI Bill underpayments up to Secretary Wilkie during a hearing in September, he acknowledged the VA's error and promised that all affected recipients would be compensated. When recent news reports suggested the VA was not acting to help veterans who have been shortchanged, the department outlined its plans to remedy the situation. Those plans fall short. These veterans must be fully repaid for errors they did not cause and that is what I expect the VA to do. Background In August, when new housing rates took effect, the VA's IT system had not been updated causing it to underpay some beneficiaries for their housing and placing unnecessary burdens on students. GI Bill recipients should have received housing stipends based on Department of Defense's 2018 Basic Allowance for Housing rates which should have been calculated based on the zip code where the student takes the majority of classes, rather than on the zip code in which the school's main campus is located. Instead, GI Bill recipients have been receiving housing stipends at the 2017 rate and based on the school's zip code. In all cases, the 2018 rate is higher than the 2017 rate. Boozmanwho, along with serving as chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the VA is also a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committeepressed VA Secretary Robert Wilkie on this issue during a September hearing where he secured a promise that all eligible recipients who were underpaid will be paid in full. Today, the VA released a statement attempting to clarify its intent to fully reimburse GI Bill recipients who have been underpaid since August. However, the plan outlined in the VA statement is insufficient. Th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399873 Womack Re-Elected to Influential House Steering Committee 2018-11-28 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC November 28, 2018.Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after being re-elected to serve on the House Republican Steering Committee. The Steering Committee recommends members of the U.S. House of Representatives for committee assignments and chairmanships after analyzing a range of factors, including member background, expertise on issues, and level of seniority. This is Womack's third term on the Republican Steering Committee, where he represents members from Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico. It's an honor to serve on the Steering Committee, and I thank my colleagues for entrusting me to be their voice through this process again. We have a lot of work to do in the years ahead and strong leadership will be critical to turning our priorities into results. I am committed to working on behalf of representatives from Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico to make informed recommendations that advance our conservative, pro-growth agenda. My goal is to always position members for success, and in a way that allows them to serve their constituents and the American people in the strongest way possible. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense, military construction-veterans affairs, and labor-health and human services subcommittees. Additionally, he co-chairs the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. womack.house.gov ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/11/senate-committee-advances-boozman-cardin-bill-to-empower-women-led-enterprises-around-the-world Senate Committee Advances Boozman, Cardin Bill to Empower Women-Led Enterprises Around the World 2018-11-28 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONThe Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced legislation introduced by U.S. SenatorsJohn Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) that aims to eliminate global gender-related barriers and empower female entrepreneurs around the world. TheWomen's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment (WEEE) Actpassed with a committee amendment. This is an important step to reducing financial hurdles that women in developing countries face. Providing access to economic tools will put more women in control of their financial success and facilitate improvements in their homes and communities. I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Corker to advance this legislation and help level the playing field for women around the world,Boozman said. Investing in women creates a positive cycle of change that can lift women, families, communities and entire countries out of poverty,said Cardin, ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. When women are able to be fully engaged in society and hold financial and decision-making power, they are more likely to invest their income in food, clean water, education, and health care for their children. I thank my colleagues for moving this important bipartisan legislation forward. Specifically, theWEEE Actseeks to: Establish a development cooperation policy of the United States to reduce gender disparities related to economic participation and opportunity, strive to eliminate gender-based violence, support women's property rights and increase the capability of women and girls to determine life outcomes. Require the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure that all strategies and projects of the agency are shaped by a gender analysis and that gender equality and female empowerment are integrated throughout USAID's programs; Expand USAID's microenterprise development assistance authority to include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with an emphasis on supp… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1024 Cotton Supports New Zealand's Rejection of Huawei 2018-11-28 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy November 28, 2018 Contact:Caroline TablerorJames Arnold(202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C.U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today released the following statement after news reports that New Zealand rejected a proposal to use Huawei gear in its planned 5G mobile network: I commend New Zealand for joining their Australian neighbors in blocking Huawei from their 5G network. Thanks to U.S. leadership, the world is beginning to understand the risk that Chinese telecommunications companies pose to security and privacy. I urge all our allies to think twice before allowing the Chinese Communist Party to gain a foothold in their critical infrastructure. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1025 Cotton and Cheney Introduce the Stopping Russian Nuclear Aggression Act 2018-11-28 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy November 28, 2018 Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming) today introduced the Stopping Russian Nuclear Aggression Act to limit Russia's nuclear buildup. "Vladimir Putin has spent a decade cheating on existing treaties like the INF, building up his nuclear arsenal, and rewriting the rulebook on the nuclear triad by introducing new ways of launching a nuclear attack. Russia's heavy advantage in tactical nuclear weapons-which are not bound by the existing START agreement-restricts our ability to deter aggression against the U.S. and our allies. It's clear the old START model isn't going to cut it. This bill ensures all, not some, of Russia's nuclear arsenal is on the table in the next round of negotiations," Senator Tom Cotton said. "Under no circumstances should the United States agree to extend the New START Treaty beyond the current expiration in 2021 without drastic improvements to the deeply flawed deal negotiated by the Obama Administration. Over the past few years, we have seen Russia tout several new nuclear weapons delivery systems and it is unclear whether those systems will be bound by the limits of the treaty. Russia's large stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons and belief that these weapons can be used as a part of an "escalate to de-escalate" strategy is also extremely concerning. When these concerns are then viewed through the lens of Russia's long-term violation of the INF Treaty, it is clear that extending the New START Treaty is not currently in the national security interest of the United States. That is why I introduced the Stopping Russian Nuclear Aggression Act. This bill prevents funding to extend the New START Treaty until the President certifies to Congress that Russia has agreed to verifiably reduce its stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons and include its new systems under the limits of the New START Treaty," Congresswoman Liz Cheney said. Back… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-and-cheney-introduce-the-stopping-russian-nuclear-aggression-act Cotton and Cheney Introduce the Stopping Russian Nuclear Aggression Act 2018-11-28 2018 2018-11 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming) today introduced the Stopping Russian Nuclear Aggression Act to limit Russia's nuclear buildup. "Vladimir Putin has spent a decade cheating on existing treaties like the INF, building up his nuclear arsenal, and rewriting the rulebook on the nuclear triad by introducing new ways of launching a nuclear attack. Russia's heavy advantage in tactical nuclear weapons-which are not bound by the existing START agreement-restricts our ability to deter aggression against the U.S. and our allies. It's clear the old START model isn't going to cut it. This bill ensures all, not some, of Russia's nuclear arsenal is on the table in the next round of negotiations," Senator Tom Cotton said. "Under no circumstances should the United States agree to extend the New START Treaty beyond the current expiration in 2021 without drastic improvements to the deeply flawed deal negotiated by the Obama Administration. Over the past few years, we have seen Russia tout several new nuclear weapons delivery systems and it is unclear whether those systems will be bound by the limits of the treaty. Russia's large stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons and belief that these weapons can be used as a part of an "escalate to de-escalate" strategy is also extremely concerning. When these concerns are then viewed through the lens of Russia's long-term violation of the INF Treaty, it is clear that extending the New START Treaty is not currently in the national security interest of the United States. That is why I introduced the Stopping Russian Nuclear Aggression Act. This bill prevents funding to extend the New START Treaty until the President certifies to Congress that Russia has agreed to verifiably reduce its stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons and include its new systems under the limits of the New START Treaty," Congresswoman Liz Cheney said. Background: The New START Treaty is set to expire in 2021 and both countries may agree to extend the treaty for a… 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:10:16Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-supports-new-zealand-and-146s-rejection-of-huawei Cotton Supports New Zealand’s Rejection of Huawei 2018-11-28 2018 2018-11 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Contact: Caroline Tabler or James Arnold (202) 224-2353 Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today released the following statement after news reports that New Zealand rejected a proposal to use Huawei gear in its planned 5G mobile network: “I commend New Zealand for joining their Australian neighbors in blocking Huawei from their 5G network. Thanks to U.S. leadership, the world is beginning to understand the risk that Chinese telecommunications companies pose to security and privacy. I urge all our allies to think twice before allowing the Chinese Communist Party to gain a foothold in their critical infrastructure.” ### 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:10:16Z
https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2381 Hill's Statement on Syria and Iraq Security Bills 2018-11-27 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR French Hill H001072 hill.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after supporting two bipartisan bills that condemn war crimes in Syria and impose additional sanctions on Iranians who threaten peace and stability in Iraq: The Syrian dictator Assad and the Mullahs in Iran must be held accountable for their war crimes, genocide, and other grave injustices against the Syrian and Iraqi people. Their destabilizing activities are a threat to America and our allies, especially Israel. I will continue to support action in Congress to hold these perpetrators accountable and to provide much needed relief to their innocent victims. I continue to call on the Senate to pass the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which the House passed in May of last year, to preserve records for future investigations into war criminals in Syria. Background Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act,H.R. 390, provides for emergency relief to victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Iraq and Syria, and provides accountability against perpetrators of these crimes. The Preventing Destabilization of Iraq Act, H.R. 4591, imposes sanctions with respect to Iranian persons that threaten the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=1023 Cotton in National Review: 'What's Really in Congress's Justice-Reform Bill” 2018-11-26 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy November 26, 2018 What's Really in Congress's Justice-Reform BillNational ReviewBy: Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) The bad outweighs the good. It remains to be seen whether the lame-duck 115th Congress will debate a sweeping overhaul of our federal criminal-justice system before we adjourn for the year. You may have heard about the legislation at hand, the FIRST STEP Act. I oppose it. I urge my fellow conservatives to take the time to read and understand the bill before signing on in support of this flawed legislation. The 103-page bill that was released the Friday before Thanksgiving has some good parts, and I don't question the intentions of the bill's proponents. But you may have noticed that they talk more about their intentions than about the consequences of the bill. As conservatives, we know that good intentions say little about actual consequences. And to paraphrase Thomas Sowell, intellectuals who generate ideas with good intentions rarely have to face the consequences of those ideas personally. When proponents of the bill discuss the substance, they claim that "nothing in the FIRST STEP Act gives inmates early release." Instead of early release, proponents say, it merely provides incentives for inmates to participate in programs. This is nothing but a euphemism. Let there be no doubt: If the bill is passed, thousands of federal offenders, including violent felons and sex offenders, will be released earlier than they would be under current law. Whatever word games the bill's proponents use will make no difference to the future victims of these felons. Proponents also claim that only "low-level, non-violent" offenders will benefit, and that there are adequate safeguards to protect the public. If I believed these assertions, I would support the FIRST STEP Act. But a careful reading of the bill's text, as opposed to the talking points used to promote it, shows that violent felons are eligible for early release, a… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1022 Cotton Statement on Thanksgiving 2018-11-22 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov     legacy Skip to Content Menu 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/2018/11/22/cotton-statement-on-thanksgiving Cotton Statement on Thanksgiving 2018-11-22 2018 2018-11 Republican Senate AR Tom Cotton C001095 www.cotton.senate.gov cotton https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases scraper Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on Thanksgiving: "Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours. Wherever you are, I hope you're surrounded by family and friends. Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, for our families, for our many blessings as a nation, and for our troops who are far from home this day. We all have much and many to be thankful for. 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:10:16Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/11/boozman-encourages-support-for-local-retailers-highlights-small-business-saturday Boozman Encourages Support for Local Retailers, Highlights Small Business Saturday 2018-11-21 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement encouraging Arkansans to support small businesses in their communities this Saturday, November 24 as part of Small Business Saturday: Small businesses drive our economy in Arkansas and across the country. They employ our family, friends and neighbors and provide in-demand goods and services all while giving back to the communities they operate in. I hope Arkansans will join me in patronizing these economic engines this holiday season, beginning on Small Business Saturday, Boozman said. Boozman is a cosponsor of the Senate-passed resolution that designates Saturday, November 24, 2018 as Small Business Saturday. The measure urges consumers to shop locally and highlights the importance of small businesses to our economy. Last year, 108 million Americans shopped or dined at independently-owned businesses for Small Business Saturday. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/11/recycling-s-benefits-significant-and-widespread Recycling's Benefits Significant and Widespread 2018-11-21 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy Every year in November, our nation renews its commitment to reduce waste and preserve our limited resources on America Recycles Day. The day of recognition serves as a timely reminder as we approach the holiday seasona period when used envelopes, wrapping paper, shipping material and gift boxes quickly pile up that we all have a role to play in reducing our landfill input. Recycling is an easy way to do our part. It is a win-win solution, as it allows us to be responsible stewards of our environment while creating needed resources for U.S. manufacturers, valuable export commodities and jobs for over 500,000 Americans. Recycling truly does help build a stronger America. This is the message Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and I routinely share with our colleagues as the co-chairs of the Senate Recycling Caucus. Through the caucus, we work with our colleagues and stakeholders to raise awareness of recycling's impact on advancing our nation's environmental and economic interests and to support public policies that increase the practice across the country. The caucus, which was formed in 2006, is committed to educating our colleagues on new and innovative ideas to make recycling practical for all stakeholders. With that in mind, we held a briefing on the eve of America Recycles Day to promote the benefits of recycling and help find ways we can work together to turn challenges into opportunities. Zach Freeze, Senior Director for Sustainability at Walmart Stores Inc, was one of the expert panelists at this briefing. Given that the large majority of recycled material is generated outside of the household, it is vital that we encourage businesses, large and small, take a proactive, conscientious approach to sustainability. Walmart's innovative efforts to reduce waste in its operations and increase sustainability are ideas that can translate into bigger benefits for the industry. I appreciate that Zach made the time to share how Walmart is carrying out its vision by increasing focus on product sustainability efforts, more s… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/arkansas-lawmakers-ask-small-business-administration-to-maintain-vital-program-for-family-poultry-farms Arkansas Lawmakers Ask Small Business Administration to Maintain Vital Program for Family Poultry Farms 2018-11-20 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Eric A. "Rick" Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov crawford https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases scraper WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton along with U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman pressed the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to reverse a proposed rule that would harm Arkansas poultry farmers' ability to access vital funding for their operations. The delegation sent a letter to SBA Administrator Linda McMahon urging the agency to revise the proposed rule, which if implemented would impose unworkable eligibility requirements on poultry farmers who rely on SBA's 7(a) loan program. The 7(a) program provides loan guarantees to assist small businesses in obtaining credit. "Poultry is the largest segment of Arkansas's agricultural industry, creating and supporting over 150,000 jobs including thousands of family farms. Access to capital is one of the most significant barriers to entry for farming, which is why Congress specifically included agriculture in the SBA's mandate. This proposed rule would jeopardize the livelihood of thousands of small family farms and small businesses across Arkansas," the lawmakers wrote. To view the full text of the letter sent to the Small Business Administrator, click here. 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-27T23:10:16Z
https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398803 Arkansas Lawmakers Ask Small Business Administration to Maintain Vital Program for Family Poultry Farms 2018-11-20 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Rick Crawford C001087 crawford.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton along with U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman pressed the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to reverse a proposed rule that would harm Arkansas poultry farmers' ability to access vital funding for their operations. The delegation sent a letter to SBA Administrator Linda McMahon urging the agency to revise the proposed rule, which if implemented would impose unworkable eligibility requirements on poultry farmers who rely on SBA's 7(a) loan program. The 7(a) program provides loan guarantees to assist small businesses in obtaining credit. Poultry is the largest segment of Arkansas's agricultural industry, creating and supporting over 150,000 jobs including thousands of family farms. Access to capital is one of the most significant barriers to entry for farming, which is why Congress specifically included agriculture in the SBA's mandate. This proposed rule would jeopardize the livelihood of thousands of small family farms and small businesses across Arkansas, the lawmakers wrote. To view the full text of the letter sent to the Small Business Administrator, click here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399811 Arkansas Lawmakers Ask Small Business Administration to Maintain Vital Program for Family Poultry Farms 2018-11-20 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR Steve Womack W000809 womack.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC November 20, 2018.U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman, pressed the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to reverse a proposed rule that would harm Arkansas poultry farmers' ability to access vital funding for their operations. The delegation sent a letter to SBA Administrator Linda McMahon urging the agency to revise the proposed rule,which if implemented would impose unworkable eligibility requirements on poultry farmers who rely on SBA's 7(a) loan program. The 7(a) program provides loan guarantees to assist small businesses in obtaining credit. Poultry is the largest segment of Arkansas's agricultural industry, creating and supporting over 150,000 jobs including thousands of family farms. Access to capital is one of the most significant barriers to entry for farming, which is why Congress specifically included agriculture in the SBA's mandate. This proposed rule would jeopardize the livelihood of thousands of small family farms and small businesses across Arkansas, the lawmakers wrote. To view the full text of the letter sent to the Small Business Administrator, click here. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense, military construction-veterans affairs, and labor-health and human services subcommittees. Additionally, he co-chairs the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. womack.house.gov ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/11/arkansas-lawmakers-ask-small-business-administration-to-maintain-vital-program-for-family-poultry-farms Arkansas Lawmakers Ask Small Business Administration to Maintain Vital Program for Family Poultry Farms 2018-11-20 2018 2018-11 Republican House AR John Boozman B001236 www.boozman.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton along with U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman pressed the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to reverse a proposed rule that would harm Arkansas poultry farmers' ability to access vital funding for their operations. The delegation sent a letter to SBA Administrator Linda McMahon urging the agency to revise the proposed rule,which if implemented would impose unworkable eligibility requirements on poultry farmers who rely on SBA's 7(a) loan program. The 7(a) program provides loan guarantees to assist small businesses in obtaining credit. Poultry is the largest segment of Arkansas's agricultural industry, creating and supporting over 150,000 jobs including thousands of family farms. Access to capital is one of the most significant barriers to entry for farming, which is why Congress specifically included agriculture in the SBA's mandate. This proposed rule would jeopardize the livelihood of thousands of small family farms and small businesses across Arkansas, the lawmakers wrote. To view the full text of the letter sent to the Small Business Administrator, click here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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