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://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-statement-on-acquisition-of-us-steel-by-nippon-steel-corporation,Crawford Statement on Acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel Corporation,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Crawford Statement on Acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel Corporation 12/18/2023 Washington — Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01), Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, released the following statement in response to the acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel Corporation. ""Today's announcement regarding the acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel Corporation is another chapter in the growth and maturity of the steel industry within the First District of Arkansas. This pending transaction shows how attractive our region is for companies who want to invest in a robust workforce and utilize our regional, multi-modal transportation network. Like other acquisitions of this scale, vigorous and thorough processes should be followed to ensure America's steel industry remains a leader on the global manufacturing stage.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-passage-of-fy24-ndaa,Rep. Crawford Statement on Passage of FY24 NDAA,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on Passage of FY 24 NDAA 12/14/2023 Washington — Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) voted to support H.R. 2670, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-bolster-national-defense,WESTERMAN VOTES TO BOLSTER NATIONAL DEFENSE,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement: “This year under Republican House leadership, Congress followed regular order on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ensure all members, in both chambers, had the opportunity to participate in the crafting of the legislation and ensure the priorities of their districts and states were met. The NDAA exemplifies bicameral, bipartisan work and will bolster our national defense capabilities, increase our military readiness, and support our servicemen and women, all while remaining within the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s FY 24 defense discretionary spending level. Moreover, the legislation funnels key investments through defense programs in Southwest Arkansas, which is critical to ensure we remain a global defense leader and support Arkansans who work in the national defense industry. “I advocated for, and am proud to see, provisions included in the NDAA that would give the Department of Defense (DoD) authority to grant funding to the Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs for on-site security and fire prevention services. This is the next step in a whole-of-government approach to properly secure the site and put it on a better path forward to a more beneficial use in the future. ""Through this process, House Republicans successfully fought to push back against the radical woke ideology in our military, which the Senate tried so hard to include. This NDAA bans the teaching, training, and promotion of critical race theory in the military, guts the pay of DEI bureaucrats at the Pentagon, and prohibits the display of any unapproved flags at military institutions - meaning the VA can no longer display pride flags at their facilities. While we fought hard to push back on the woke agenda and this NDAA came out with significant conservative priorities included, our country needs a Republican-controlled House, Senate, and White House to get our military back to where it needs to be to be a true global leader in defense and to fully rid the DoD from these woke ideologies.” BACKGROUND: The FY24 National Defense Authorization Act: Authorizes the DoD to provide grant funding to the state of Arkansas for increased on-site security and fire prevention services at the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Authorizes the procurement for CH-53 and CH-47 helicopters whose parts are manufactured in Magnolia and Hot Springs, AR, bolsters the modernization of our Nuclear Triad, adds additional F-35s, and facilitates manufacturing of guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS), which all have a production footprint in Camden, AR. Funnels critical investments to the Fourth District and supports hundreds of jobs through investments in missile systems, aircraft, and explosive ordinances that proudly have manufacturing or assembly done in Arkansas’ Fourth District. Enhances U.S. military readiness and builds and maintains the overmatch needed to counter the aggression of foreign adversaries. Boosts servicemember pay and benefits and improves the quality of life for military families by supporting the largest pay raise in over 20 years. Prohibits the display of any unapproved flags, including the LGBTQ pride flag, at military institutions. Authorizes DoD to reduce out-of-pocket childcare expenses for military families. Improves military recruitment by increasing the number of JROTC programs, requires schools to allow military recruiters to participate in career fairs, and extends military recruitment bonuses. The Former Army-Navy Hospital: The site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which sits atop the city’s downtown on National Park Service land, is rapidly falling into disrepair. The current major buildings, built by the U.S. Government in the early 1930s, once served as the first general hospital in the country to serve Army and Navy patients. The site was deeded by the Army to the State of Arkansas and became a state-run rehabilitation center in 1960; later being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute. In 2019, the State ceased all operations at the site, and since then, the site has been vacant. As many Hot Springs residents know, the buildings and surrounding grounds have been targets of vandalism and unauthorized access in recent years, leading to serious safety and fire concerns. Congressman Bruce Westerman worked closely with Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03) to ensure language (Section 2852) was included in the FY24 NDAA to give the DoD authority to provide grant funding to the state of Arkansas for increased security and fire prevention services at the site of the former Army-Navy Hospital. Click here for a summary of the FY24 NDAA.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-response-to-house-passage-of-continuing-resolution,Rep. Crawford Response to House Passage of Continuing Resolution,2023-11-15,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Response to House Passage of Continuing Resolution 11/15/2023 Washington — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement upon House passage of HR 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westeman-announces-mobile-office-hours,WESTEMAN ANNOUNCES MOBILE OFFICE HOURS,2023-11-07,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"HOT SPRINGS - Today, the office of Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) announced mobile office hours for November 13-16. Staff will be available to assist constituents with casework matters related to passports, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Internal Revenue Service, and other federal agency related issues. More mobile office hours for 2024 will be announced at a later date. For questions, please call 501-609-9796 or visit Westerman.house.gov/contact. More details below: DALLAS COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Dallas County Courthouse, November 13th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 206 W 3rd St. Fordyce, AR CLEVELAND COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Cleveland County Courthouse, November 13th 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 20 Magnolia St. Rison, AR JEFFERSON COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Jefferson County Courthouse, November 14th 10:00 pm – 12:00 pm 101 E Barraque St. Pine Bluff, AR White Hall City Hall, November 14th 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 101 Parkway Dr. White Hall, AR BRADLEY COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Bradley County Courthouse, November 15th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 101 E Cedar St. Warren, AR Hermitage City Hall, November 15th 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm 186 US 63 Hermitage, AR JOHNSON COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Johnson County Court House, November 15th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 215 W. Main St. Clarksville, AR Lamar City Hall, November 15th 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm 437 W. Main St. Lamar, AR",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-opposes-use-us-airports-house-illegal-migrants,WESTERMAN OPPOSES THE USE OF U.S. AIRPORTS TO HOUSE ILLEGAL MIGRANTS,2023-11-07,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) joined House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves and 68 House Republicans in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg demanding answers for the Biden Administration’s encouragement of the use of U.S. airports as shelters for illegal migrants. In part, the members wrote: “As you are aware, our Nation’s southern border is an uncontrolled and unmitigated disaster. Untold numbers of illegal immigrants have entered the United States and been apprehended under President Biden’s failed leadership.Many are then released into the United States, some of whom will presumably never be seen again.The Biden-Harris Administration’s abject failure to protect our border or support policies that will keep America secure is an unconscionable dereliction of the most fundamental duty the Federal Government has to the citizens of this country.” Congressman Bruce Westerman released the following statement: “The historic crisis at the southern border isn’t just at the border anymore. It’s in our own backyards. Rather than implementing policies to stop the flow of illegal immigration and drug trafficking at the border, the Biden Administration shortcut NEPA to build housing for illegal migrants on National Park Service Land, and now reports are showing they are encouraging U.S. airports to house them too. The Biden Administration’s failure to work with House Republicans and secure the southern border is compromising the integrity of our National Parks and airports, and the safety of our communities. I will continue working with my colleagues to hold the Biden Administration accountable for their broken border policies.” BACKGROUND: On September 27, Congressman Bruce Westerman chaired a House Natural Resources Committee hearing to condemn the Biden Administration’s use of National Park Service (NPS) lands for illegal migrant housing. The Biden Administration failed to send any witnesses to testify and defend their decision to turn units of NPS into migrant camps. Westerman visited the NPS Gateway National Recreation Area in September, specifically Floyd Bennett Field, a site where New York City signed a lease agreement to permit the construction of a migrant encampment. In the November 7 letter to Secretary Buttigieg, the Members cited reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed housing for 60,000 migrants at four public airports and other facilities in New York and New Jersey, as has been done at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Since President Biden took office, there have been over 6.2 million illegal crossings at our southern border alone. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, border patrol seized over 27,000 pounds of fentanyl, and more than 169 people whose names appeared on the terror watchlist were stopped trying to cross the border – an all time record.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-stands-israel,WESTERMAN STANDS WITH ISRAEL,2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, cosponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), to provide fully offset emergency supplemental appropriations for military assistance to Israel and ensure the safe return of American citizens impacted by the attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists. Westerman released the following statement: ""The brutal attacks by the Hamas terrorists on innocent Israelis can only be described as cruel, fueled by hatred, and purely evil. The barbaric Hamas terrorists have stolen too many innocent Israeli and American lives. Israel is one of our strongest allies in the Middle East, and they need our support now more than ever. Today, House Republicans reaffirmed Congress' unwavering support for our ally by passing fully offset legislation (paid for by funds rescinded from Biden's IRA, commonly referred to as the Green New Deal) to bolster Israel's defense capabilities, protect U.S. personnel at the Embassy, and evacuate U.S. citizens caught in the line of fire. I was proud to cosponsor and support this bill, and I am proud to stand with Israel."" BACKGROUND: On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists carried out an unprovoked attack on innocent Israelis. Families were shot and killed at their dinner tables, women and girls were raped in the streets, and civilians were beheaded and slaughtered in broad daylight. Additional funding is necessary to support Israel's right to defend its freedom. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to: Bolster Israel's defense capabilities and stockpiles of munitions critical to continued defense efforts, many of which will be produced in Camden, Arkansas. Ensure American military readiness by providing $4.4 billion to replenish domestic defense stockpiles. Support U.S. personnel and citizens by providing $150 million for enhanced security at the U.S. Embassy and $50 million for evacuating U.S. citizens. Ensure accountability by requiring the U.S. Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State to provide written reports to Congress detailing U.S. security assistance to Israel. The funding in the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act is fully offset (paid for) by recessions from President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), specifically Section 10301, which appropriated enhanced funding for the bloated Internal Revenue Service (IRS).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-announces-mobile-office-hours-0,WESTERMAN ANNOUNCES MOBILE OFFICE HOURS,2023-11-01,2023,2023-11,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"HOT SPRINGS - Today, the office of Congressman Bruce Westerman announced mobile office hours for November 1-9. Staff will be available to assist constituents with casework matters related to passports, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Internal Revenue Service, and other federal agency issues. More dates and locations will be announced soon. For questions, please call 501-609-9796 or visit Westerman.House.Gov/Contact More details below: GRANT COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Prattsville City Hall, November 1st 9:30 am – 11:30 am 9251 US-270 Prattsville, AR Sheridan County Courthouse, November 1st 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 101 W. Center St. Sheridan, AR POLK COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Polk County Courthouse, November 1st 10:30 am – 12:00 pm 507 Church Ave. Mena, AR Cove City Hall, November 1st 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm 5568 US HWY 71 Cove, AR MILLER COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Miller County Courthouse, November 2nd 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 400 Laurel St. Texarkana, AR MONTGOMERY COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Montgomery County Courthouse, November 2nd 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 105 US-260 Mt. Ida, AR YELL COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Yell County Courthouse, November 3rd 9:30 am – 11:00 am 106 Union St. Dardanelle, AR Danville Courthouse, November 3rd 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 101 E. 5th St. Danville, AR SEVIER COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Sevier County Courthouse, November 6th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 115 N. Third St. De Queen, AR Horatio City Hall, November 6th 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 111 W. Main St., Horatio, AR ASHLEY COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Hamburg City Hall, November 6th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 305 E. Adams St. Hamburg, AR Crossett City Hall, November 6th 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 201 Main St. Crossett, AR OUACHITA COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Ouachita County Courthouse, November 7th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 145 Jefferson St. SW Camden, AR East Camden City Hall, November 7th 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 100 N. Womble Ave. East Camden, AR NEVADA COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Prescott City Hall, November 7th 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 421 Main St. Prescott, AR Rosston City Hall, November 7th 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 1045 Nevada 17 Rosston, AR UNION COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Union County Courthouse, November 8th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 101 N. Washington, El Dorado, AR Smackover City Hall, November 8th 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 807 Broadway, Smackover, AR CALHOUN COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Calhoun County Courthouse, November 9th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 309 W. Main, Hampton, AR HOT SPRING COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Malvern City Conference Room, November 9th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 120B W. 3rd St. Malvern, AR",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-house-electing-speaker,Rep. Crawford Statement on House Electing Speaker,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on House Electing Speaker 10/25/2023 Washington — Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement upon Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04) winning the election for House Speaker. ""I was pleased to join my colleagues today in electing Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House of Representatives so that we can resume work on addressing the illegal immigration crisis at our southern border, a looming government shutdown in November, and the troubling destabilization in the Middle East that is unfolding following the brutal terrorist attacks against Israel. Solving these difficult problems will require far greater unity in Congress than we have seen recently. But unity is one of our national founding principles and the strength of our nation, indeed, any nation, rests upon this principle."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-cosponsors-21st-century-dyslexia-act,WESTERMAN COSPONSORS 21st CENTURY DYSLEXIA ACT,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif) and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) introduced the 21st Century Dyslexia Act. This legislation works to incorporate the modern, scientific understanding of dyslexia into federal statute and prevent the harm unidentified dyslexia can inflict on young students. “For far too long, students with dyslexia have faced a mountain of obstacles to learn in a way that’s best suited to them,” Westerman said. “Educators weren’t properly trained and parents often felt powerless to help their children who struggled with dyslexia. I’ve been honored to meet many of these students and parents during my time as the co-chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, and I know that their futures are bright when we equip them with the tools they need for success. I’m proud to once again lead this important legislation alongside Congresswoman Houchin and Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Brownley, and I hope it serves as a roadmap for raising dyslexia awareness and giving schools across the country the right resources to educate the next generation.” “I’ve been continually disappointed in how students with Dyslexia are left to fend for themselves in our education system,” Houchin said. “I remember the years of sleepless nights and wrong information that delayed my own son’s diagnosis, and ultimately delayed his ability to receive appropriate accommodations. Our family’s story isn’t unique, which is why the 21st Century Dyslexia Act is necessary.” “Students with dyslexia face unique challenges and should have access to the resources and supportive learning environments they need to live up to their fullest potential,” said Brownley. “By reclassifying dyslexia as its own category within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, this legislation raises the much-needed awareness of the most common learning disability among American students and provides the proper accommodations and services for these students. As the mother of a child who struggled with dyslexia when she was in school, I know the importance of this issue all too well. That is why I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus to ensure that all individuals living with dyslexia can thrive and succeed.” U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. “We know how to teach a student with dyslexia and help them reach their full potential,” Cassidy said. “Unfortunately, a student is often not screened for dyslexia until after they have already fallen behind, if at all. This legislation brings a 21st century approach to dyslexia based on science that allows children with dyslexia to achieve their God given potential.” Background Currently, dyslexia is included as one of many neurocognitive differences under “Specific Learning Disabilities” (SLD) in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Despite dyslexia being the most prevalent neurocognitive difference within SLD, students are rarely tested. This prevents them from getting the services and accommodations necessary to assist dyslexic students learning to read. When children are not identified with dyslexia, evidence shows lifelong harm can occur, including lower career wages, reduced graduation rates, and increased rates of incarceration. This legislation helps students by pulling dyslexia out of the overly broad definition of SLD and including it in the list of disabilities that define a “child with a disability,” thus classifying dyslexia as its own category within IDEA.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-introduces-bipartisan-resolution-recognize-october-national,WESTERMAN INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE OCTOBER AS NATIONAL DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2023 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. Alongside this resolution, Westerman also joined Reps. Houchin and Brownley to introduce the 21st Century Dyslexia Act, legislation that works to incorporate the modern, scientific understanding of dyslexia into federal statute and prevent the harm unidentified dyslexia can inflict on young students. “Millions of students have faced social stigmas and learning challenges due to dyslexia for far too long,” Westerman said. “This important resolution brings congressional awareness to a critical issue and urges support for proper resources so that students impacted by dyslexia can learn and succeed. No student should be held back from success simply because they learn differently. I am honored to support this resolution, and I want to thank Senator Cassidy and my fellow Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Brownley, for making it a bicameral and bipartisan issue.” “I began my career in public service to ensure that individuals with dyslexia, like my daughter, would have the resources and learning environments to live up to their fullest potential,” Brownley said. “In recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, we are bringing much needed attention to the challenges people with dyslexia face and, more importantly, reaffirming the support they need to thrive. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to raise awareness and help all those with dyslexia to succeed.” “Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, but it often goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed for years,” Houchin said. “I know this firsthand as my own son struggled in school without answers. It’s our job to provide tools to help identify dyslexia and to show students that their dyslexia diagnosis is impacted by their accommodations, not their intelligence. As I work to address dyslexia and other literacy related issues on the Education and Workforce Committee, I’m proud to introduce a resolution to mark October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month and continue working towards legislative solutions.” U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Angus King (I-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced the companion resolution in the U.S. Senate. “Dyslexia doesn’t affect intelligence, but impacts an individual’s ability to read,” Cassidy said. “Research shows it impacts 1 in 5 Americans. This National Dyslexia Awareness Month, we work to educate the nation on dyslexia, and ensure these bright children have the resources to achieve their dreams just like any other student.” Background: Despite the prevalence of dyslexia, students are rarely tested. This prevents them from getting the services and accommodations necessary to assist dyslexic students learning to read. When children are not identified with dyslexia, evidence shows lifelong harm can occur, including lower career wages, reduced graduation rates, and even increased rates of incarceration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-we-need-plan-more-person,WESTERMAN: WE NEED A PLAN MORE THAN A PERSON,2023-10-11,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement: ""Without a strategic plan to govern moving forward to get our country back on track, it won't matter who the Speaker is. The U.S. House is at a serious inflection point, and our actions this week will have massive implications forthe future of our nation. Inflation is crippling hardworking Americans, thousands of pounds of fentanyl and millions of illegal immigrants are flowing over our southern border, and one of our closest allies needs our support as they face a historically gruesome war. The reality is that regardless of who the Speaker is, without 218 Republican votes, there's very little that we can do. ""For the sake of our country, no matter how challenging, we must stay unified. If we don't, the situation we are in could result in a shift of power to the Democrats in the form of a coalition government, debilitating Republicans’ modest ability to direct our nation toward fiscal sanity. ""My message is simple: we need a plan more than a person. I'm committed to working with my colleagues to realistically assess where we are, and developing a strategic plan to get our country back on the right track. I've had conversations with many other members about a plan that would set forth an agreed upon approach to the major decisions facing us, one that would give the Speaker a roadmap to follow and provide a basis for accountability moving forward. Once we unify behind a plan, we can unify behind the best person to execute it.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-announces-mobile-office-hours,WESTERMAN ANNOUNCES MOBILE OFFICE HOURS,2023-10-05,2023,2023-10,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"HOT SPRINGS - Today, the office of Congressman Bruce Westerman announced mobile office hours for the month of October. Staff will be available to assist constituents with casework matters related to passports, Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Internal Revenue Service, and other federal agency issues. More details below: LOGAN COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: North Logan County Courthouse, October 12th State Representative Jon Eubanks Attending 9:00 am – 11:00 am 25 W. Walnut St. Paris, AR South Logan County Courthouse, October 12th State Representative Jon Eubanks Attending 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 366 N. Broadway Ave. Booneville, AR LITTLE RIVER COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Little River County Courthouse, October 19th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 351 N 2nd St. Ashdown, AR Foreman Public Library, October 19th 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm 216 Schuman St. Foreman, AR LAFAYETTE COUNTY MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Lafayette County Courthouse, October 25th 9:30 am – 11:00 am 1 Courthouse Square Lewisville, AR Bradley City Hall, October 25th 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 410 Pullman St. Bradley, AR",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-house-passage-of-continuing-resolution,Rep. Crawford Statement on House Passage of Continuing Resolution,2023-09-30,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on House Passage of Continuing Resolution 9/30/2023 Washington — Today, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement upon House passage of H.R. 5860, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. ""I voted to keep the government open today because shutting down cost more in the long run and shifts the focus away from Bidenflation and the president's disastrous open border policy, which is growing unpopular even in urban areas where wild-haired liberal ideas normally thrive. This temporary funding bill maintains spending at current levels, allowing us to complete work on full-year appropriation bills to lower spending while also keeping the focus on President Biden's decision to dramatically increase illegal immigration.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-continuing-appropriations-act-2024-and-other,"WESTERMAN STATEMENT ON THE CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024 AND OTHER APPROPRIATIONS ACT",2023-09-30,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 5860, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Appropriations Act: ""With just hours before a lapse in appropriations and a government shutdown, the House voted on a temporary spending bill to allow Congress 45 days to pass the remaining appropriations bills to fund our government through Fiscal Year 24. ""However, we had an opportunity on Friday to do the same thing, while also securing the border, cutting reckless government spending, and establishing a bicameral Fiscal Commission. Every single Democrat, and unfortunately, 21 Republicans voted against it. My priorities are very clear: I would rather secure the border than shut down the government. ""With the rejection of the conservative temporary spending and border security bill, Chuck Schumer began pushing a continuing resolution through the Senate that would not only have kept the government open, but would have given Biden $6 billion more Ukraine funding with no additional oversight. ""We have canceled our October district work period to remain in DC to debate and pass the appropriations bills in regular order. This will give us an opportunity to put conservative spending bills on the floor for a vote."" H.R. 5860 extends government funding for 45 days and: Provides $16 billion in supplemental funding for disaster relief. Does not include $6 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine. Extends key authorities and operations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through December 31, 2023. Extends the authorization and borrowing authority of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through November 17, 2023.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-and-higgins-introduce-the-prioritizing-offensive-agriculture-disputes-and-enforcement-act,Rep. Crawford and Higgins Introduce the Prioritizing Offensive Agriculture Disputes and Enforcement Act,2023-09-29,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford and Higgins Introduce the Prioritizing Offensive Agriculture Disputes and Enforcement Act 9/28/2023 Washington — Today, Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Clay Higgins (LA-03) introduced the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act. The bill establishes a joint task force on agricultural trade enforcement between the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, signaling more engagement with Congress and the private sector on the development of agricultural dispute priorities. The bill also emphasizes the need for an agricultural dispute settlement case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against India's trade distorting farm subsidies, which could include rice, wheat, pulses, peanuts, cotton, and other commodities. ""This bill helps get us to a point where our government is going to coordinate and strategize to get more wins for agriculture on the board, and there's no better place to start than with India. This bill is a win for all of U.S. agriculture because what our trading partners and our export competition are doing has an effect on us, so we need to use all of our tools available to resolve the tipping of the scales we're seeing,"" said Rep. Crawford. ""American farmers are the most competitive in the world and when they're put on a level playing field they will consistently succeed, however, we have not been in a position in recent years where we play offense and proactively get wins for agriculture at the WTO. This task force would also be responsible for identifying wins against other bad actors out there, including China, where we consistently see a lack of compliance with WTO commitments,"" said Rep. Higgins. ""It is a relief to see Congressman Crawford, Senator Boozman, and others introduce this bill. As a farmer I spend a lot of time frustrated with the lack of enforcement in these markets that are clearly violating the rules,"" said Dow Brantley, who farms rice, soybean, corn, and cotton near England, Arkansas, and is vice chair of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee. ""We work hard to keep our cost of production as low as possible yet get beat out in the marketplace by commodities that are produced inefficiently because of the staggering levels of subsidies provided by their governments."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/arkansas-california-lawmakers-lead-efforts-recognizing-rice-stewardship-partnership-milestone,"Arkansas, California Lawmakers Lead Efforts Recognizing Rice Stewardship Partnership Milestone",2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Arkansas, California Lawmakers Lead Efforts Recognizing Rice Stewardship Partnership Milestone 9/27/2023 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Representatives Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Rice Stewardship Partnership with the introduction of resolutions in their respective chambers. ""The Rice Stewardship Partnership supports critical research and development of innovative techniques and practices to improve production, conservation and sustainability measures. This collaboration between USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited will help Arkansas rice producers continue to provide a safe, reliable food source to help feed they world and support practices to shape waterfowl habitat so our state continues to be a destination for duck hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts,"" Boozman said. ""As the second-largest rice producing state, California relies on strong conservation partnerships like the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership to address water quality and wildlife habitat on working ricelands,"" said Padilla. ""I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution with Senator Boozman and Representatives Thompson and Crawford to celebrate 10 years of conservation planning and collaboration between rice producers, wildlife conservation organizations, and the USDA."" ""During the winter, harvested rice fields are flooded to prevent soil erosion – creating the perfect habitat for migrating ducks who enjoy any leftover grain,"" said Crawford. ""The Rice Stewardship Partnership demonstrates this strong connection between agriculture and conservation. The work of Ducks Unlimited and USA Rice has helped our rice farmers carry out responsible land management and protect these important ecosystems."" ""10 years ago, our country formed a partnership with Ducks Unlimited to serve as stewards and conservationists of rice lands across our nation,"" said Thompson. ""Proud to introduce a resolution commemorating this anniversary with Rep. Crawford and Senators Padilla and Boozman. I am focused on ensuring that the over 800,000 acres of rice and rice rotation lands are conserved for future generations of American rice farmers."" Arkansas and California are two of the country's leading rice-producing states. Since 2013, the Rice Stewardship Partnership has beneficially impacted more than 800,000 acres of rice and rice rotation lands on more than 1,000 farms which has led to positive conservation outcomes for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. ""U.S. rice farms are located primarily throughout the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Texas' and Louisiana's Gulf Coast, and California's Central Valley, which are critical landscapes and habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds,"" said Betsy Ward, USA Rice President & CEO. ""The work of the Rice Stewardship Partnership is essential, and USA Rice is extremely proud of our partnership with Ducks Unlimited, because as in all things, we're more effective working together. We look forward to continuing to build on our great conservation and sustainability accomplishments and thank Senators John Boozman and Alex Padilla and Reps. Rick Crawford and Mike Thompson for this recognition.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-westerman-cosponsored-bill-protect-outdoor-education,HOUSE PASSES WESTERMAN COSPONSORED BILL TO PROTECT OUTDOOR EDUCATION,2023-09-26,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement: “As an avid outdoorsman, I was outraged to hear of the Biden Administration’s misinterpretation of the BSCA to stop funding for archery, hunting, target shooting, and other outdoor recreation classes and programs in schools. These classes and programs not only teach safe and legal handling of shooting sports equipment, but they provide unique experiences for students to learn responsibility, improve mental health, be a part of a team, and develop a passion for a sport,"" said Congressman Bruce Westerman. ""I was proud to cosponsor this bill to ensure that the Biden Administration cannot misinterpret the BSCA to block funding for these time-honored programs. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me in protecting these enriching programs for students to enjoy and learn from for years to come.” Background: On July 31st, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed that through misinterpretation of language in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), schools with hunting and archery programs will not receive funding previously earmarked under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The misinterpretation of the legislative intent of the BSCA would negatively impact millions of students across the country who participate in archery programs, hunter education classes, wilderness and outdoor classes, and school-sponsored target shooting teams. The misinterpretation would also undermine opportunities for hunter education courses that have been accredited with reducing fatalities related to hunting by over 80% since 1959. On August 4th, Congressman Westerman sent a letter, led by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) and other House Republicans condemning U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Miguel Cardona and requesting a reversal of the action to withhold funds from hunting and archery education programs nationwide. On August 22nd, Congressman Westerman led a follow up letter with leaders of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus to ED Secretary Miguel Cardona requesting that the Department revisit the legislative intent of the BSCA and reissue guidance before millions of students would be negatively impacted. H.R. 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, blocks the Biden Administration from misinterpreting the BSCA to stop funding for hunting, archery, and other outdoor recreation courses in schools. H.R. 5110 also amends the ESEA to clarify school's programs educating students in archery, hunting, and related courses are eligible for funding.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-and-higgins-introduce-legislation-protect-american-tire,Westerman and Higgins Introduce Legislation to Protect American Tire Manufacturers,2023-09-22,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced the introduction of the Protect American Tire Workers Act (H.R. 5593). The bipartisan bill makes critical updates to the Generalized System Preference (GSP) trade program to protect American tire producers like Sumitomo, Goodyear, Yokohama, Bridgestone, Titan Tire, and Kumho by excluding certain tire products from the program, to prevent imports from flooding the domestic market. “The GSP is the largest and oldest U.S. trade preference program. Unfortunately, some countries have chosen to abuse the program to illegally dump their tire products on the market. I’m proud to introduce this common-sense legislation alongside Congressman Brian Higgins to correct this disparity and exempt certain tire products from the GSP, ensuring a more level playing field in the domestic market for our local manufacturers, like the Texarkana Goodyear facility in the 4th District,” said Congressman Westerman. “GSP was put in place to promote economic growth in developing countries, while supporting trade priorities that benefit our own economy, but outdated rules are putting American tire manufacturers at risk,” said Congressman Higgins. “However, it is in desperate need of an update, as some countries in this long-standing trade preference program are saturating the market with tire products, which hurts local manufacturers like Sumitomo in Western New York. I am proud to join Congressman Westerman in introducing this bipartisan bill. It is an important step in protecting union workers and strengthening our trade programs in a way that helps our economy continue to grow.” Background:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-leads-ti-colleagues-in-highlighting-concerns-over-dot-s-lack-of-cybersecurity-requirements-for-ev-network,Crawford Leads T&I Colleagues in Highlighting Concerns Over DOT’s Lack of Cybersecurity Requirements for EV Network,2023-09-13,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Crawford Leads T&I Colleagues in Highlighting Concerns Over DOT's Lack of Cybersecurity Requirements for EV Network 9/13/2023 Washington, D.C. – Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) and 13 Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressing concerns over the lack of effective cybersecurity requirements in the Biden Administration's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). ""By connecting our electric and transportation infrastructure, which includes the electric grid, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, EVs, and personal mobile phones, the program will significantly increase the Nation's cybersecurity attack surface. Cyberattacks on EV charging stations could harm electric grid safety and performance, disable chargers, and potentially strand motorists, as well as expose personal identifiable information to cyber exploits,"" Crawford and other Members wrote. ""Without adequate cybersecurity requirements and safeguards, communities across the country will be vulnerable to the real-world consequences of malicious cyber acts that harm the electric grid, transportation, public safety, and privacy."" One of their specific concerns is the Administration's willingness to leave the development of NEVI cybersecurity protections up to the states without any substantial or uniform guidance, potentially leading to a patchwork system of up to 50 different approaches, in addition to security gaps. The Members' letter added, ""This effort should leverage existing cybersecurity best practices and commercially available cybersecurity solutions. Ensuring the electric grid's cybersecurity is just one of the many challenges stemming from the Biden Administration's push for the widespread deployment of EVs and their requisite charging infrastructure. As the Department continues its deployment of the NEVI program, we strongly urge you to provide guidance and move quickly to address these potential vulnerabilities to protect the security of Americans and our Nation's grid.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-letter-biden-administration-criticizing-listing-rio-grande,WESTERMAN LETTER TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CRITICIZING THE LISTING OF RIO GRANDE MUSSELS AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES,2023-09-12,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19), House Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, M.D. (TN-07), and Border Security Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36) and Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05) led a letter to President Biden and Secretary of the Department of the Interior Haaland inquiring about the July 25, 2023 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed rule to list the Salina mucket and the Mexican fawnsfoot mussels as endangered and designate a critical habitat for the species. The Service has proposed nearly 300 river miles of critical habitat for the mussels along the border, an action which would impede Texas’ ability to protect the border and its citizens and prevent U.S. Border Patrol from accomplishing its mission of protecting the American people and safeguarding our borders. “If the Biden Administration is so concerned with the well-being of these mussel species, they should use their authority to combat the illegal crossings impacting the habitats of the species, rather than blocking the Governor of Texas’ efforts. I’m proud to lead this effort with Chairman Arrington to seek answers about the Administration’s latest politically motivated rule that only fuels the ongoing ecological, humanitarian, and national security crisis at the border,” said Chairman Westerman. “While Biden has failed to use federal powers to secure the border, he has no problem weaponizing the government to prevent states from doing so in his absence. Where was Biden's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s concerns when millions of migrants trampled the mussel’s “critical habitat” while illegally crossing the Rio Grande? Clearly, Biden is more concerned about disrupting the habitat of the Mexican mussels than disrupting the operations of Mexican cartels who are destroying the lives of Americans and migrants alike. Governor Abbott has the constitutional authority to secure the border and protect his citizens. He should pay no attention to Biden’s shell game,” said Chairman Arrington. “Texas has been forced to protect and defend itself because President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas won’t secure the border. The Biden administration is spending more time and effort trying to keep Texas from defending its ranchers, farmers, and others living in border communities than it is trying to fix the problem. The fact that Biden is now using the existence of mussels in the Rio Grande as a reason to block Texas from keeping its river barrier system in place is utter horse hockey. What’s next, moss? The situation at the border has reached critical levels—these political games impede the ability to carry out vital border security. I’m proud to join Chairman Arrington in shedding light on this ridiculous action by the Biden administration,” said Chairman Green. “The Biden administration’s convenient declaration of an environmental hazard in response to Governor Abbott’s floating barrier is undoubtedly political,” said Rep. Babin. “If the White House genuinely cared about the mussels growing in the Rio Grande, it would secure the border and stop the hundreds of thousands of illegals from trampling across the river – or maybe clean up the tons of trash illegal immigrants and smugglers leave behind each year. Instead of prioritizing our national security, the president has once again acted to further open our southern border and erode our sovereignty.” “The Biden Administration’s proposed rule to designate new critical habitat and endangered species in the Rio Grande Sector to halt border barrier construction is a brazen attempt to further unsecure our nation’s southern border. The timing of this rule amid the creation of a new floating border barrier in Texas confirms the rule is politically motivated and likely legally dubious,” said Rep. Biggs. “I applaud Congressman Arrington’s latest efforts to help better secure our southern border and require the Biden Administration to answer Congress.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-announces-new-senior-staff-transitions,WESTERMAN ANNOUNCES NEW SENIOR STAFF TRANSITIONS,2023-09-01,2023,2023-09,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement, announcing a new District Director, Cody Burkham, and a new Legislative Director, Murray Miller. “Since 2021, Murray Miller has been a valuable member of our team. Murray served as Senior Legislative Assistant with integrity and ambition, and I’m excited to announce that she will be stepping into the role of Legislative Director. Under her leadership, our legislative team will continue their work to advance forward-thinking solutions for the 4th District. “I’m thrilled to welcome Cody Burkham back to Team Westerman to assume the role of District Director. A native Arkansan, Cody brings a wealth of knowledge to the position, and I look forward to working with him in this capacity. One of my top priorities as Congressman for the 4th District is constituent services, and Cody will be a great fit in leading our District staff in this effort. “Murray and Cody are proven leaders. I look forward to seeing how they will lead Team Westerman alongside my Chief of Staff, Nancy Peele, and the rest of our communications, operations, legislative, and district staff.” Background: Murray Miller is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to joining Congressman Westerman’s office in 2021, she served on the legislative staff in the office of Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) and for the International Fresh Produce Association on the Government Relations team. Before moving to DC, Murray taught at the American School of Madrid in Madrid, Spain. Murray holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Spanish from the University of Mississippi. Cody Burkham is from Hope, Arkansas. From 2015-2017, Cody worked in Washington, DC, where he served as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Westerman before returning to Arkansas to serve as the Executive Vice President of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. Cody holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from Southern Arkansas University. Nancy Peele started as Chief of Staff for Congressman Westerman on January 1st, 2023. Originally from Baton Rouge, Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Louisiana State University. She started her career in Washington, DC in the office of Jones Walker, a New Orleans-based law firm. She served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Financial Director for Congressman Garret Graves (LA-06) from 2015-2019 and as Chief of Staff for Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) from 2019-2022. In her free time, Nancy serves on the bipartisan House Chief of Staff Association and is an avid LSU sports fan.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/arkansas-delegation-supports-governors-request-major-disaster-0,Arkansas Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration,2023-08-25,2023,2023-08,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— Congressman Bruce Westerman, along with U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, and Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, and Steve Womack—wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a major disaster declaration for Arkansas, Faulkner, Lonoke, Mississippi, Poinsett, Pope and Pulaski Counties due to severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds on June 25, 2023. “The resourcefulness and resilience of Arkansans in recent months have been impressive; however, as losses mount, the people of our great state hope the federal government will join in these restoration efforts,” members wrote in the letter. The letter can be found here and below: Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to declare a major disaster, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds that occurred on June 25, 2023. As Governor Sanders noted in her request, these storms created enormous amounts of debris, extensive power outages and resulted in the tragic death of two citizens. Thunderstorm activity produced up to grapefruit-sized hail; 60-100 mile per hour wind gusts across Arkansas, Faulkner, Lonoke, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Pulaski Counties; and tornados in Pope and Pulaski Counties. Multiple counties reported widespread power outages, downed trees, and damage to homes. In the aftermath of the storms, many counties were left without power for days, with the heat index in the state reaching up to 115°F in some areas affected. Based on preliminary damage assessments conducted by FEMA, an estimated $3,736,719 is needed to cover the cost of temporary housing, repairs, and replacement housing, as well as provide for other needs required by citizens of the seven counties mentioned above. The impact on local jurisdictions is staggering and cannot be overlooked. Due to this, we believe the severe magnitude of these weather events warrants supplemental federal assistance. The resourcefulness and resilience of Arkansans in recent months have been impressive; however, as losses mount, the people of our great state hope the federal government will join in these restoration efforts. As you know, this has been a tumultuous year for extreme weather events in Arkansas, with two Presidential Major Disaster and Emergency Declarations already declared.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/csc-leaders-express-concern-department-education-withholding-funds,CSC Leaders Express Concern for the Department of Education Withholding Funds for Schools With Shooting Sports Activities,2023-08-22,2023,2023-08,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) leaders Reps. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Garret Graves (LA-06), and Jared Golden (ME-02) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressing concern with how the Department of Education is implementing language within the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) to withhold funds from schools with shooting sports activities in their curriculum. Together, the members requested that the Department revisit the legislative intent of the BSCA and reissue guidance before millions of students are unintentionally impacted and before these important programs are delayed or canceled for the school year. In part, the members wrote: ""Unfortunately, by misinterpreting the legislative intent of the BSCA, the Department will soon negatively impact millions of students across the country. These programs are popular among teachers and school personnel because success in archery, hunting, target shooting, and outdoor classes can be achieved by students of all genders, abilities, and backgrounds. Further, according to teachers engaged with these programs, student participation has been correlated with improvements in academic performance, behavior, and school attendance. In the case of school-sponsored archery programs, such as the National Archery in the Schools Programs, there are more than 1.3 million students in nearly 9,000 schools across 49 states that participate each academic year. ""We also point out that this misinterpretation will undermine opportunities to teach hunter education courses that have been credited with reducing fatalities and injuries in hunting by more than 80 percent since 1959. These programs provide unique opportunities for students to build camaraderie, learn responsibility, improve mental health, and develop important life skills, all while being introduced with the safe, responsible, and legal handling of a firearm or archery equipment."" Background: On July 31st, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed to Fox News that through misinterpretation of language in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, schools with hunting and archery programs will not receive funding previously earmarked under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The misinterpretation of the legislative intent of the BSCA will negatively impact millions of students across the country who participate in archery programs, hunter education classes, wilderness and outdoor classes, and school-sponsored target shooting teams. The misinterpretation will also undermine opportunities for hunter education courses that have been accredited with reducing fatalities and injuries related to hunting by over 80% since 1959. Click here to read the full letter. Click here to view the full bill text of H.R. 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-expresses-concern-usfws-rule-ban-cost-effective-ammunition,WESTERMAN EXPRESSES CONCERN FOR USFWS RULE TO BAN COST-EFFECTIVE AMMUNITION AND FISHING TACKLE,2023-07-20,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) led 50 House Republicans in sending a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams expressing concern over a proposed rule that would ban cost-effective lead ammunition and fishing tackle across eight national wildlife refuges. In part, the members wrote: “While we appreciate the effort to promote public access for hunting and fishing on select national wildlife refuges (NWR), we are disappointed that these expansions provide for the use of non-lead hunting equipment only. ""In addition, we are further disappointed by the effort to phase out lead ammunition and tackle at eight other NWRs. Furthermore, we are concerned that USFWS has not provided any substantiated scientific evidence that clearly demonstrates lead ammunition and tackle has caused environmental harm within the identified refuges. “We believe strongly that banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle would result in a decrease in participation in hunting and angling due to increased costs on sportsmen and women.” The letter is cosigned by the following members: Reps. Matt Rosendale (MT-02), Mike Bost (IL-12), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), John Curtis (UT-03), Randy Weber (TX-14), August Pfluger (TX-11), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Tom McClintock (CA-05), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Mike Collins (GA-10), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), John Carter (TX-31), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Austin Scott (GA-08), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Bob Latta (OH-05), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Andy Harris (MD-01), Greg Steube (FL-17), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), John Rutherford (FL-05), John Duarte (CA-13), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Larry Buchson (IN-08), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Ryan Zinke (MT-01), Roger Williams (TX-25), Robert Aderholt (AL-01), Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Michael Guest (MS-03), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Wesley Hunt (TX-38) and Del. James Moylan (GU-AL). Background: On June 22nd, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a new rule to ban the use of lead ammunition and tackle by 2026 in eight national wildlife refuge areas. Hunters and fishermen are stewards of the environment, and this rule could result in a substantial decrease in hunting and fishing participation and conservation funding. Click here to read Congressman Bruce Westerman’s statement following the announcement of the rule on June 22nd.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-introduces-juvenile-justice-reform-legislation-victims-sex,WESTERMAN INTRODUCES JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM LEGISLATION FOR VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE,2023-07-20,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29), David Trone (D-MD-06), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) introduced the Child Sex Crimes Victims Protection Act, legislation to reform the way juvenile victims of sex trafficking and abuse are sentenced if they retaliate against their abusers. “The United States is one of the only nations in the world that allows for sexually abused children who retaliate against their abusers to grow up in prison with no hope for parole or rehabilitation,” said Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), member of the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force. “That’s why I’m introducing the Child Sex Crimes Victims Protection Act to ensure that juvenile victims of abuse and trafficking have a second chance at life. We cannot turn our backs on the children of our country, and we cannot allow those who have experienced unimaginable circumstances to be left behind because they chose to fight back.” ""Judges should consider a child's experience and history when sentencing a juvenile,"" said Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29). ""Children must be treated with care, compassion, and understanding. The Child Sex Crimes Victims Protection Act is a step towards a more balanced, trauma-informed system that centers on healing and rehabilitation, rather than throwing a child’s life away and leaving them stuck in a cycle of incarceration."" “Our children must be given a second chance. We cannot allow their futures to be thrown away due to punitive and often discriminatory sentencing practices. The Child Sex Crimes Victims Protections Act, formerly known as Sara’s Law, provides our juveniles with the protections they deserve,” said Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) “I am glad to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Westerman to eliminate the requirement to serve a mandatory minimum for those found guilty of crimes against persons who sexually trafficked or abused them, allow for the consideration of the culpability of juveniles compared to adults, and prohibits life in prison without parole sentencing practices. We must reform our system to rehabilitate individuals – not further traumatize them with these arcane practices.” ""We are one of few countries around the world that sentences children to die in prison. We ought to be ashamed of that,"" said Congressman David Trone (D-MD-06), co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force. ""A sentence of life in prison without out any possibility of release is excessively harsh for children, who do not have the same capacity as adults. In many cases, these children are themselves victims of abuse or neglect. We need a justice system centered around rehabilitation, and banning this sentence for young people will provide them with a chance to grow, learn from their mistakes, and lead productive lives once they've served their time."" Background: The Child Sex Crimes Victims Protection Act provides that juveniles found guilty of crimes against persons who sexually trafficked, abused, or assaulted them shall not be required to serve the mandatory minimum sentence otherwise associated with the crime The bill also gives the court the ability to suspend any portion of a sentence imposed on a child who committed crimes against their abuser.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-securing-growth-robust-leadership-american-aviation,WESTERMAN STATEMENT ON THE SECURING GROWTH & ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT,2023-07-20,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth & Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, legislation that will reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years and improve American aviation safety and infrastructure. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement on its passage: “As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Aviation Subcommittee, I was proud to play a role in passing this historic, bipartisan bill to reauthorize the FAA. This legislation affects more than just pilots and passengers. It benefits farmers, business owners, healthcare providers, and everyday folks. The passage of this bill is critical to American aviation safety and infrastructure and will ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in aviation.” Background: H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act will benefit the El Dorado/Camden, Hot Springs, Texarkana, and Mena airports and will make significant advancements to support the agricultural aviation industry in the 4th District. In part, the bill: Improves efficiency at the FAA. Supports the general aviation community. Encourages aviation innovation. Invests in U.S. airport infrastructure. Enhances the passenger experience. Upholds America’s gold standard in safety. Strengthens the aviation workforce. Authorizes the National Transportation Safety Board. Congressman Bruce Westerman introduced two amendments that were included in H.R. 3935.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-and-womack-amendment-included-national-defense-authorization,WESTERMAN AND WOMACK AMENDMENT INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT,2023-07-14,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - WASHINGTON – Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Rep. Steve Womack (AR-03) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that will give the Department of Defense authority to provide grant funding to the Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas for on-site security and other site-planning activities. “The Army Navy Hospital is rich with history, and it’s a shame that it’s become a victim to time, unauthorized access, and vandalism. For too long, there hasn’t been a clear-cut path for the future of this site that holds so much value for not just Hot Springs, but the entire state of Arkansas,” Rep. Westerman said. “I was grateful for the opportunity to work with my friend and colleague, Congressman Womack, to have this amendment included in the NDAA. This is the next step in a whole of government approach to properly secure the site and put it on a clear path to more beneficial use in the future.” “The abandoned Army-Navy hospital is a liability in the Hot Springs area that must be addressed quickly and effectively. The passage of the amendment today is a step toward this goal,” Rep. Womack said. “I’m proud to join my friend Mr. Westerman in his efforts to keep Arkansans safe.” Background: The site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which sits atop the city’s downtown on National Park Service land, is rapidly falling into disrepair. The current major buildings, built by the U.S. Government in the early 1930s, once served as the first general hospital in the country to serve Army and Navy patients. The site was deeded by the Army to the State of Arkansas and became a state-run rehabilitation center in 1960; later being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute. In 2019, the State ceased all operations at the site, and since then, the site has been vacant. As many Hot Springs residents know, the buildings and surrounding grounds have been targets of vandalism and unauthorized access in recent years, leading to serious safety and fire concerns. Click here to view the amendment.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-applauds-passage-fy24-ndaa,WESTERMAN APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF FY24 NDAA,2023-07-14,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2024. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement: “This year’s NDAA delivered on many Republican priorities, bolsters our national defense programs, and saves taxpayer dollars – all while remaining within the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s FY 24 defense discretionary spending level. While it took a lot of late nights and conversations across the aisle to get to this point, it’s a win for democracy. This NDAA includes key provisions that focus on capitalizing on innovation to increase lethality of the Joint Force, strengthening capabilities to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s increased military aggression, adequately equipping our warfighters to complete their missions, and ensuring vigorous oversight of taxpayer dollars at the Pentagon. This NDAA will ensure the U.S. remains a global defense leader and supports those in the Natural State who work in national defense industries. For that, I was proud to vote in favor.” Background: The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes the procurement for CH-53 and CH-47 helicopters whose parts are manufactured in Magnolia and Hot Springs, bolsters the modernization of our Nuclear Triad, adds additional F-35s, and facilitates manufacturing of guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS), which all have a production footprint in Camden, AR. This year’s NDAA funnels key investments to the Fourth District and supports hundreds of jobs through investment in missile systems, aircraft, and explosive ordinances that all proudly have manufacturing or assembly done in Arkansas' Fourth District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-denounces-department-veterans-affairs-secretarys-poorly,WESTERMAN DENOUNCES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY'S POORLY WRITTEN LETTER,2023-07-13,2023,2023-07,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) denounced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough's poorly written interim response to a previous inquiry. In a letter, Westerman wrote: “Thank you for your poorly written, meaningless interim response to my inquiry. It’s obvious from your lack of sentence structure, punctuation, and overall lack of attention to detail that this issue is a very low priority to you and the VA. “Please be assured that my communications to the Appropriations Committee and my colleagues in the House will be much more organized and better articulated when I lobby them to cut funding to your political staff and others who are advocating and implementing these political issues in what should be an apolitical agency.” Background: On June 6th, Congressman Westerman cosigned a letter to VA Secretary McDonough expressing concern for the display of Pride flags at VA facilities. On July 3rd, the VA sent this interim response, containing a clear lack of proof-reading.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-applauds-supreme-court-s-ruling-on-biden-s-student-loan-debt-transfer,Rep. Crawford Applauds Supreme Court’s Ruling on Biden’s Student Loan Debt Transfer,2023-06-30,2023,2023-06,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Applauds Supreme Court's Ruling on Biden's Student Loan Debt Transfer 6/30/2023 WASHINGTON—Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's rebuke of President Biden's executive order to transfer student debt from those who took out loans to all taxpayers, including those who never attended college or already paid off their loans: ""Today's decision affirms the obvious – that the president is not a monarch, but rather an executive with powers limited by our Constitution. Even Nancy Pelosi agreed in 2021 when she said, ""People think that the President of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness. He does not…That has to be an act of Congress.'"" Whether it be mandatory COVID vaccinations or canceling loans, presidential powers are limited by the Constitution because our Founders had foresight to protect our nation from the inevitable oppression that comes when power is consolidated in a single ruler."" ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-supreme-court-ruling-reject-bidens-student-loan,WESTERMAN STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT RULING TO REJECT BIDEN'S STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM,2023-06-30,2023,2023-06,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to reject President Biden's student loan forgiveness program: ""The Biden student loan forgiveness program was clearly unconstitutional, as ruled by the Supreme Court. However, the damage to the American taxpayer has already been done with this unconstitutional action costing the public $482 billion (35% of the deficit) in 2022 alone, according to the CBO. This administration must be held accountable for their unconstitutional actions and should develop a plan to reimburse America.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-reintroduces-promising-pathways-act,WESTERMAN REINTRODUCES PROMISING PATHWAYS ACT,2023-06-29,2023,2023-06,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), alongside Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) today announced they will reintroduce the Promising Pathway Act. ""For far too long, red tape has prevented patients with terminal conditions from finding necessary therapies,"" said Rep. Westerman. ""The Promising Pathway Act will allow innovative therapies with positive clinical trial data to treat patients outside the FDA's rigid trial requirements and spark competition between smaller and larger pharmaceutical companies. I am grateful for the opportunity to work in a bipartisan fashion to help patients across the country get the help they desperately need."" ""Giving patients access to potentially life-saving drugs is a common-sense way to help individuals receive the care they need,"" said Rep. Gallagher. ""This bill prioritizes patient's lives, promotes innovation, and cuts through the bureaucratic red tape that can slow down the approval process. I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation in the House."" “Americans diagnosed with neurogenerative diseases like ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s deserve hope, not a death sentence. As someone who has worked with champions in the ALS community to push for new treatments and a cure for the disease, I believe there is more we can do for Americans as they confront life threatening conditions,” said Rep. Quigley. “This legislation will cut unnecessary red tape and help patients receive access to revolutionary new drugs that could drastically change their lives for the better.” Background: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) refers to the clinical trial process for prescription drugs in phases, i.e. Phase I, II and III. Early clinical trials (Phases I and II) establish and confirm safety while providing a considerable amount of data, often enough to statistically predict successful confirmatory trials. Confirmatory trials (Phase III) further test effectiveness and are the last step to a drug entering the market for patients' use under a New Drug Application or Biologics License Application approval. However, Phase III trials are extremely time-consuming and expensive, in some cases costing billions of dollars. Small pharmaceuticals attempting to bring innovative drugs to market and compete with large drug companies can go bankrupt during Phase III trials. The Promising Pathway Act would allow pharmaceutical companies to petition the FDA for provisional approval if the drug has cleared early-stage clinical trials, already having proven safety and showing significant evidence of effectiveness. The company could then sell their drug at a market acceptable rate, give patients access to innovative treatments and compete with large, monopolistic pharmaceuticals to lower consumer cost.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-anniversary-of-dobbs-decision,Rep. Crawford Statement on Anniversary of Dobbs Decision,2023-06-24,2023,2023-06,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on Anniversary of Dobbs Decision 6/24/2023 WASHINGTON – One year ago today, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the Supreme Court ruled that there is no constitutional right to abortion, and returned to the people and their elected representatives the authority to regulate the protection of unborn children. Roe v. Wade was overturned. ""I am very glad that today I get to stand with my constituents in the First District of Arkansas and celebrate one year since the overturning of Roe v. Wade,"" said Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01). ""I am an ardent believer in the sanctity of innocent human life, and in my time in Congress, I have consistently supported pro-life legislation to protect the lives of those who cannot protect themselves."" He added: ""The Dobbs decision is already saving lives in Arkansas, and many other states. But the battle for life continues, and that means winning hearts and minds, and providing support to mothers and their babies."" This year, Rep. Crawford has cosponsored several pro-life bills, including the Life at Conception Act, the Heartbeat Protection Act, and the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-crawford-mann-garamendi-panetta-prioritize-american-grown-commodities-for-international-food-aid,"Reps. Crawford, Mann, Garamendi, Panetta Prioritize American-Grown Commodities for International Food Aid",2023-06-22,2023,2023-06,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Reps. Crawford, Mann, Garamendi, Panetta Prioritize American-Grown Commodities for International Food Aid 6/22/2023 sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/06/1X0A3586-1024x683.jpg"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2368""/> WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford (AR-01), Tracey Mann (KS-01), John Garamendi (CA-08), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) introduced legislation that would ensure that U.S.-grown commodities remain the cornerstone of international food aid. ""American food aid should be produced in America,"" said Rep. Crawford. ""It is disingenuous to continue to use funds to purchase foreign commodities and call it ""American aid"". No one knows the business of feeding the world better than American farmers. I am pleased to join my colleagues, Reps. Mann, Garamendi, and Panetta, in prioritizing American farmers by sharing their abundant production to fight global hunger, and making needed, efficient changes to our international food aid programs."" ""America's international food aid programs have enjoyed bipartisan support for more than 65 years because they are simple, effective, and they feed millions of vulnerable people around the world each year,"" said Rep. Mann. ""Through these programs, America fortifies our allies, counters the influence of foreign adversaries, creates new markets and trading partners, and stops wars before they start. For decades, America has purchased and donated American-grown commodities to execute our foreign assistance programs. Over time, however, transferring cash and purchasing commodities from foreign competitors with Food for Peace dollars has become the norm. This shift has diminished transparency and accountability, reduced the procurement and shipment of American-grown food for hungry people, and jeopardized more than six decades of bipartisan support for our international food aid programs. This bill puts a stake in the ground: it's a noble thing to feed hungry people, and we should use American commodities as we do it."" ""As a fourth-generation rancher and now representing the birthplace of northern California's maritime industry in Congress, I can tell you that American agriculture feeds the world, and United States-flag vessels are ready to deliver critical food aid to those countries most in need,"" said Rep. John Garamendi. ""Congress always intended for these foreign relief programs to be a triple bottom line: A win for America's farmers in years when they grow more than they can sell. A win for our nation's shipbuilding and maritime industries, guaranteeing cargo during peacetime so we have the US-flag vessels needed during wartime. And a win for projecting the generous spirit of Americans to help those starving around the world. Our bipartisan bill restores this careful balance to ensure that taxpayer dollars for foreign relief are spent on American-grown foods transported on US-flag vessels, not foreign alternatives. I look forward to working with Congressman Mann and my other colleagues to make this bill a top priority in the coming Farm Bill."" ""Our nation's international food aid programs tap into the immense bounty of American producers to feed the world. But over time, a shift from American commodities to cash assistance has undermined this mission,"" said Rep. Panetta. ""I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to restore the original intent of these international food aid programs and ensure they are prioritizing American-grown commodities. Doing so will improve transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness of international food assistance."" The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 would: Restore the emphasis on American food by reinstating the Food for Peace program's original intent to use U.S.-grown commodities to fight global hunger, rather than using American taxpayers' dollars to purchase food from America's competitors. Restore transparency by reducing overhead costs, preserving resources to purchase life-saving food, and protecting at least 50% of the budget for purchasing U.S.-grown commodities and delivering them to the destination country. Restore accountability by requiring U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to report to Congress on all program implementation and budget details and requiring U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval. Restore efficiency by creating a more effective release mechanism for the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust in favor of a streamlined USDA release protocol to feed people more quickly. ""America's farmers are proud that their efforts can help feed hungry families at home and abroad,"" said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. ""It's crucial that food grown in the United States is prioritized in international food assistance programs."" ""The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 supports more Kansas wheat going to more people around the world who are in need,"" said Brian Linin, U.S. Wheat Associates Board of Directors member, Food Aid Working Group member, and farmer in Goodland, KS. ""This legislation is an opportunity to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent in a manner that truly makes an impact on global hunger. Commodities produced by U.S. farmers should always be the first choice when it comes to international food aid programs."" ""U.S. millers are proud of the role they play in alleviating world hunger through food aid,"" said Kim Cooper, Senior Director of Government Affairs for North American Millers' Association. ""We applaud Representatives Mann, Garamendi, Crawford, and Panetta for championing this effort to bolster U.S. international food assistance at zero cost to the American taxpayer. These reforms are long overdue and will ensure the longevity of these critical, life-saving programs by restoring them to their roots of being purely in-kind donation programs."" ""The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 delivers mutually beneficial results here at home and abroad by restoring accountability, transparency, and a Made-in-America focus to our international food security programs,"" said AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan. ""We must seize this opportunity to strengthen the state of our maritime and agricultural industries while maintaining our commitment to fighting global hunger."" ""The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots strongly supports the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023,"" said Captain Don Marcus, President of International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots. ""This legislation will increase the amount of life-saving agricultural commodities provided by America's farmers to help feed the world's hungriest people through much-needed reforms to the international food aid programs. At the same time, this legislation will strengthen America's national security and commercial sealift readiness capability by increasing the amount of cargo available to U.S.-flag vessels and their American citizen crews. We are proud to join our colleagues in the agricultural community in this extremely important effort."" ""The National Sorghum Producers commend Representatives Mann, Garamendi, Crawford, and Panetta for bipartisan leadership through their American Farmers Feed the World Act as our nation feeds and sustains millions of vulnerable people globally each year, said Craig Meeker, Chair of National Sorghum Producers, and Amy France, Vice Chair of the National Sorghum Producers. ""Our nation's farmers have a long and storied history supporting these vital humanitarian efforts around the world and this legislation helps keep the American farmer at the center of America's international food aid policies.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-to-co-lead-bipartisan-working-group-tackling-agriculture-workforce-challenges,Rep. Crawford To Co-Lead Bipartisan Working Group Tackling Agriculture Workforce Challenges,2023-06-21,2023,2023-06,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford To Co-Lead Bipartisan Working Group Tackling Agriculture Workforce Challenges 6/21/2023 Washington – Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Don Davis (NC-01) were selected to Co-Chair the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group, focusing on the workforce issues faced by the nation's agricultural producers. ""A robust agriculture industry starts with a strong and healthy workforce. However, due to a labor shortage, American farmers are increasingly turning to overseas workers to fill positions on the farm. Unfortunately, this is not an easy process because our visa policies and regulations have become convoluted and burdensome. Reforms are desperately needed to address this pressing issue. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find commonsense solutions that help our farmers and producers better staff the farm to help feed and clothe the world,"" said Rep. Crawford. Members of the working group have been selected from current Committee members and aim to represent every sector and geographical region of American agriculture. The working group will: Seek input from stakeholders, employers, and workers, particularly emphasizing the H-2A visa program for nonimmigrant agricultural workers; Produce an interim report detailing the program's shortcomings and the impacts on food security, and; File a final report with recommendations to address the flaws within the program. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn ""GT"" Thompson (PA-15) and Ranking Member David Scott (GA-13) released the following joint statement after announcing the formation of the group: ""The Committee on Agriculture has heard loud and clear from producers across the nation that one of the biggest challenges confronting the agriculture industry is a lack of reliable labor. Though not directly in our committee's jurisdiction, we have a responsibility to be a voice in Congress on the issues and policies impacting farmers and ranchers. This is a complex problem that deserves the focused attention of the Members who hear from producers every day rather than the partisan grandstanding that has plagued these efforts in the past."" ""I hear from farmers and producers daily about their need for more workers to ensure they can grow the food that feeds all of us. I look forward to working with my fellow Co-Chair, Representative Rick Crawford, and the other Members of the Agriculture Labor Working Group to come together and craft bipartisan solutions to the labor issues that farmers and producers face. I thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Scott for appointing me to serve as one of the Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Agriculture Labor Working Group,"" said Rep. Davis. The final report of the working group will provide a suite of potential solutions that can inform and be utilized in subsequent legislative efforts. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:15:57Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-expresses-concern-pride-flags-displayed-va-facilities,WESTERMAN EXPRESSES CONCERN FOR PRIDE FLAGS DISPLAYED AT VA FACILITIES,2023-06-06,2023,2023-06,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough voicing serious concerns regarding the Secretary’s encouragement of VA facilities to fly and display the Pride flag at taxpayers' expense. The letter is led by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (IL-12), and cosigned by 31 House Republican members. Congressman Bruce Westerman released the following statement: “On Friday, it was brought to my attention that VA Secretary McDonough not only authorized, but encouraged, VA-owned facilities to fly a rainbow flag alongside the American flag for Pride month. I’ve heard from many veterans in Arkansas who are offended by this action. I do not take disrespect to veterans lightly, so I spoke directly to Secretary McDonough on the phone on Friday evening. I shared my disappointment in his decision to encourage the pride flag be flown alongside Old Glory. It is Secretary McDonough and the VA’s job to serve our nation’s veterans, not push any outside political agenda – period. “As far as I’m aware, and as confirmed by Secretary McDonough, we don’t fly special interest flags at the VA during Women’s History Month, Black History Month, or any other designated month. In fact, he told me in our conversation that to his knowledge, the rainbow flag is the only special interest flag that has been flown at VA facilities for any purpose, and he took credit for that decision. I’m incredibly disappointed that the VA, which is supposed to be apolitical, would find it appropriate to fly a special interest and politically perceived flag, not only alongside the American flag, but in place of traditional and military service-related flags. “When veterans who have served our country enter a VA facility to seek the care, benefits, and services they earned, they deserve to do so without facing political ideations before they even walk through the front door. “I will be signing on to legislation to stop this disrespectful action towards veterans. In the meantime, I’m calling on the VA remove any flag other than the American flag, the flag of the Department of Veterans Affairs, state flags, and the POW/MIA recognition flag and explain why the VA allowed a politically-motivated flag to be flown in direct contradiction of VA policy.” Click here to read the full letter. Background: Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough sent a letter to all VA Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and other key officials encouraging that all VA owned facilities display a Pride flag during Pride Month. Congressman Westerman spoke to Secretary McDonough on Friday, June 2nd to express his concerns with the Secretary’s letter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-receives-honorary-master-blaster-award-at-annual-bomb-tech-event,"Crawford Receives Honorary ""Master Blaster” Award at Annual Bomb Tech Event",2023-05-31,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Crawford Receives Honorary ""Master Blaster"" Award at Annual Bomb Tech Event 5/31/2023 sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/05/crawford-issa-mast-1-1024x683.jpeg"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2348"" width=""609"" height=""406""/> Washington — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) hosted his annual Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Day on the Hill on last week. Bomb technicians from all branches of the military as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Bombing Prevention, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were all in attendance at the event. This year, Rep. Crawford along with Representatives Darrell Issa (CA-48) and Brian Mast (FL-21) were awarded the Honorary Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal or ""Master Blaster"" badge for their leadership on the Congressional EOD Caucus. ""Within the EOD community, the Master EOD Badge is a big deal,"" said senior Army leaders in attendance, adding that the badge is a special accomplishment for an Army EOD officer because it takes eight years to earn in different EOD assignments. ""It's a privilege to work beside not one, but two colleagues who have served as bomb techs and have been tireless advocates for our community,"" Rep. Crawford said. ""Each year we hold this event to recognize those within the EOD community. This year it was a huge honor to be recognized by my community as well."" Rep. Crawford is a co-founder of the EOD Caucus and a second-generation bomb tech. In his 12 years in Congress he has raised awareness of the work that bomb squads do to keep our communities safe from explosives. About the badge: sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/05/master-eod-badge.jpeg"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2346"" width=""244"" height=""244""/> The Wreath: Symbolic of the achievements and laurels gained minimizing accident potentials through the ingenuity and devotion to duty of its members. It is in memory of those EOD personnel who gave their lives while performing EOD duties. The Bomb: Copied from the design of the World War II Bomb Disposal Badge, the bomb represents the historic and major objective of the EOD, the unexploded bomb. The three fins represent the major areas of nuclear, conventional and chemical/biological interest. Lightning Bolts: Symbolize the potential destructive power of the bomb and the courage and professionalism of EOD personnel in their endeavors to reduce hazards as well as to render explosive ordnance harmless. The Shield: Represents the EOD mission – to prevent a detonation and protect the surrounding area and property to the utmost. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-votes-to-prevent-default-and-rein-in-reckless-spending-in-dc,Rep. Crawford Votes to Prevent Default and Rein In Reckless Spending in DC,2023-05-31,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Votes to Prevent Default and Rein In Reckless Spending in DC 5/31/2023 Washington – Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-01) voted on Wednesday night in support of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The legislation imposes record spending reductions as it prevents a disastrous default on our nation's debt. ""House Republicans forced President Biden and Senate Democrats to accept multi-trillion dollar restraints on their addiction to deficit spending as we also prevented a catastrophic default,"" said Rep. Crawford. ""There were essentially three choices here. First was to default. Second was to allow a clean debt limit increase with no conditions. Third was a deal that accepts a debt limit increase in exchange for the largest deficit reduction measures in history,"" Crawford added. The legislation Crawford supported, and which passed the House, would, among other things: Reduce the federal debt by $2.1 trillion over 6 years compared to current law. Slash $400 million from the CDC ""Global Health Fund"" that sends taxpayer money to China; and cut billions in other wasteful, redundant, or unnecessary programs for the largest total rescissions package in history. Nix the total FY23 funding request for new IRS agents who were to be unleashed on middle class taxpayers by the Biden Administration. Accelerate pro-growth infrastructure and energy projects and cut costs with the first significant permitting reform to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) since 1982. Ensure full funding for critical veterans' programs and national defense priorities, while protecting Social Security and Medicare. ""I readily acknowledge this bill was far from perfect. But options one and two were wholly unacceptable. I took the least bad option. But the fact is, we should have never been in this position to begin with, and that's the real travesty. Spending in Washington has run amok and tonight's vote begins the long-overdue process to put an end to the spending insanity that endangers our economy and national security,"" Crawford concluded.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-passage-fiscal-responsibility-act,WESTERMAN STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT,2023-05-31,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House voted to pass H.R. 3746, The Fiscal Responsibility Act, which responsibly raises the debt ceiling and cuts federal spending. Congressman Bruce Westerman released the following statement: “It is a win for conservatives, and I was happy to vote in support. I reviewed every section of this bill, and if you do the same, you'll see that conservative ideas came out on top in every section. It cuts federal spending below the current levels for next year and sets us on a better fiscal trajectory. The Fiscal Responsibility Act is our nation's largest deficit reduction bill in history. “Let’s remember what it took to get us to this point. For 100 days, President Biden refused to negotiate, and Senate Democrats were missing in action, but House Republicans didn't sit around. We passed a bold, sensible debt ceiling solution that forced President Biden to come to the table, and then we negotiated a plan that will take a big step in getting our nation back on the right fiscal track. Many Republican priorities were included in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, including permitting provisions to streamline critical energy and infrastructure projects, something I worked closely with my friends Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Garret Graves to ensure made it across the finish line. Permitting reform can save taxpayers trillions of dollars on public infrastructure alone, not to mention the positive impacts it will have on U.S. energy production, mining, American jobs, and national security. “The Fiscal Responsibility Act is not the end of the road, it’s another step forward in reforming Washington's out-of-control spending habits. There's still a lot of work to do. I look forward to working with my colleagues on each of the twelve appropriations bills to continue making fiscally responsible decisions for the American people, and I hope we can work together to tackle the critical issue of uncontrolled mandatory spending increases.” Click here to read Congressman Westerman's full statement on the historic permitting reform provisions included in the bill. Click here for the full bill text. Click here for a section-by-section.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-applauds-supreme-court-s-ruling-on-wotus,Rep. Crawford Applauds Supreme Court’s Ruling on WOTUS,2023-05-25,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Applauds Supreme Court's Ruling on WOTUS 5/25/2023 WASHINGTON—Following the United States Supreme Court's decision in favor of the Sackett's in the Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) case, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement: ""For decades the EPA has expanded its own authority through the Clean Water Act by re-defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) to include ditches and puddles, inching closer and closer to regulating land rather than water. The Supreme Court's 9-0 judgment against the EPA today makes clear that EPA's overreach has been egregious. In fact, the Court notes that the Biden Administration's position both encroached on states' regulatory authority and improperly threatened citizens with steep fines and jail time for unknowingly breaking the EPA's broad and vague standards. It is now time for the Biden Administration to repeal its latest WOTUS rule that is in plain opposition to the Court's decision and continues the EPA's efforts to control the private property rights of rural Americans."" The Supreme Court's unanimous decision may be found here. On page six, the decision notes that Alito delivered the opinion, which was joined by Roberts, Thomas, Gorsuch, and Barrett. There were three concurring opinions filed. 1) Thomas, joined by Gorsuch, 2) Kagan, joined by Sotomayor and Jackson, and 3) Kavanaugh, joined by Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson. This was a landmark 9-0 decision against the EPA.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-s-supply-chain-bills-approved-by-house-transportation-and-infrastructure-committee,Rep. Crawford’s Supply Chain Bills Approved by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,2023-05-25,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford's Supply Chain Bills Approved by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee -Marks Crawford's First Legislative Package as Chairman of House Panel- 5/23/2023 Washington – With consumers and businesses continuing to experience high prices and long waits due to continued supply chain problems, three bills introduced by Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) were approved at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup and are now ready for consideration by the House. The bills, designed to relieve supply chain bottlenecks that continue to plague our economy, mark Crawford's first legislative package as Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee. ""The series of bills I introduced will remove barriers to the movement of goods, increase supply chain efficiency, and target infrastructure investment to fix persistent chokepoints that stifle economic growth,"" said Rep. Crawford. ""I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this package across the finish line and deliver on our promise to the American people to strengthen our supply chain and build a stronger economy."" The Crawford bills approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are: · One Federal Decision for All Act o Streamlines the approval process for infrastructure projects by consolidating duplicative environmental reviews currently undertaken by multiple government agencies. o The One Federal Decision procedure is now used for highway projects, but this bill would expand current law to include port, aviation, and pipeline projects. · 10% Axle Variance for Dry Bulk o Addresses the issue of dry bulk, such as flour, that shifts in route, thereby potentially putting the truck out of compliance with current weight-per-axle regulations. The bill would allow a variance of 10% per axle, enabling more efficient movement of these products.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-westerman-cosponsored-bill-protect-americans-illicit,HOUSE PASSES WESTERMAN COSPONSORED BILL TO PROTECT AMERICANS FROM ILLICIT FENTANYL,2023-05-25,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation cosponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman to protect Americans from deadly fentanyl. H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act will: Make the temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances permanent. Supply law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to keep extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets. Support research on fentanyl-related substances so we can better understand their overall effects on people’s health.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-responds-to-death-of-former-rep-berry,Rep. Crawford Responds to Death of Former Rep. Berry,2023-05-20,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Responds to Death of Former Rep. Berry 5/20/2023 Washington – Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement following reports that Former Representative Berry passed away.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-passing-former-arkansas-congressman-marion-berry,WESTERMAN STATEMENT ON PASSING OF FORMER ARKANSAS CONGRESSMAN MARION BERRY,2023-05-20,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman released the following statement on the passing of former Arkansas 1st District Representative Marion Berry: ""My condolences and prayers go out to the family of former Arkansas 1st District Representative Marion Berry. Although, I never met Rep. Berry until a few years after he left Congress, I always found him to be a genuinely warm and kind individual who always made me feel welcome when I attended the infamous Gillett Coon Supper or other times when our paths would cross. He left an impression in Washington DC as some of his colorful speeches still come up in discussions. His reputation for service and the quality of his staff members that served his constituents are a legacy his family and friends can embrace.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressional-steel-caucus-leaders-send-letter-to-administration-to-address-surge-of-mexican-steel-imports,Congressional Steel Caucus Leaders Send Letter to Administration to Address Surge of Mexican Steel Imports,2023-05-17,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Congressional Steel Caucus Leaders Send Letter to Administration to Address Surge of Mexican Steel Imports 5/17/2023 Washington, DC – Congressional Steel Caucus Chairman Rick Crawford and Vice Chairman Frank J. Mrvan have sent a letter to the Administration in response to the recent surge of Mexican steel imports. Specifically, the letter is addressed to the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and highlights reports that reveal that ""significant volumes of steel which were melted and poured in countries such as Brazil, South Korea, and even Russia have entered through Mexico to the United States duty free."" The letter also notes that this threatens the availability of good-paying job opportunities in our nation as ""this is occurring as the American steel industry is making significant investments in new, state-of-the-art low emission steel facilities."" ""The steel industry has fallen victim to trade partners who fail to follow U.S. trade laws and continue to trade excessive amounts of illegally imported steel. We must defend the American steel industry from these bad actors by working to enforce these laws which ensure a level playing field. I appreciate the partnership of my colleague Rep. Mrvan in working to address these threats to the American steelworker,"" said Rep. Crawford. Rep. Mrvan stated, ""I thank Chairman Crawford for his partnership in this effort to address illegal imports that harm our steelworkers and the domestic steel industry. The livelihoods of steelworkers and their families are dependent upon a thriving industry and the full and fair enforcement of U.S. trade laws. I look forward to working with all of my Steel Caucus colleagues and the Administration to promptly address this matter and defend American workers."" The Congressional Steel Caucus is a bipartisan group of over 100 Members of Congress dedicated to supporting the health and strength of the American steel industry and its workforce. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-bicameral-legislation-introduced-keep-am-radio-new-vehicles,"BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO KEEP AM RADIO IN NEW VEHICLES",2023-05-17,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, new bipartisan legislation is being announced in the House -the AM for Every Vehicle Act - to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in new vehicles at no additional charge. Out of 20 of the world’s leading carmakers, eight have removed AM broadcast radio from their electric vehicles. Congressman Bruce Westerman is co-leading the AM for Every Vehicle Act in the House along with Reps. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Tom Kean (NJ-07), Rob Menendez (NJ-8), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). The AM for Every Vehicle Act is being led in the Senate by Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Ted Cruz (R-TX). The bipartisan, bicameral AM for Every Vehicle Act will: Direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge; Require any automaker that sells vehicles without access to AM broadcast radio before the effective date of the NHTSA rule to clearly disclose to consumers that the vehicle lacks access to AM broadcast radio; and, Direct the Government Accountability Office to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies. The bill text of the AM for Every Vehicle Act can be found here. “Radio plays an essential role in our country. Many Arkansans rely on AM broadcast radio for breaking news and entertainment as they make their daily commutes, especially in rural areas where constituents spend a lot of time in their vehicles. In the case of severe weather, something Arkansas is no stranger to, AM radio is critical in updating the public to assure their safety,"" said Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04). With this bill, we're protecting AM broadcast radio by ensuring that automakers continue providing AM radio in new vehicles, cannot impose unnecessary fees or surcharges that would prevent Americans from accessing these vital services in their vehicles, and clearly indicate if any vehicle lacks AM radio capability.” “I would think that if Elon Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets to space, he can afford to include AM radio in his Teslas. Instead, Elon Musk and Tesla and other car manufacturers are putting public safety and emergency response at risk,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “The importance of AM radio during large-scale emergencies cannot be underestimated, and it has, without a doubt and without interruption, saved lives and kept our communities informed. When the cell phone runs out, the internet gets cut off, or the television doesn’t work because of no electricity or power to your house, you can still turn on your AM radio. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan AM for Every Vehicle Act in the House to ensure that all auto manufacturers include AM radio in their vehicles to protect public safety.” ""As our society navigates the rapidly changing landscape of technology, we must not lose sight of technology’s vital foundations. AM radio remains a lifeline for those who rely on it for news, talk shows, sports, and emergency communications. From severe weather warnings to Amber Alerts, AM radio has been a lifeline for communities in distress. We need to safeguard this essential tool that, for decades, has allowed our citizens to stay informed, connected, and safe when it matters most,” said Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-crawford-and-weber-introduce-legislation-to-recognize-correctional-officers,Reps. Crawford and Weber Introduce Legislation to Recognize Correctional Officers,2023-05-16,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Reps. Crawford and Weber Introduce Legislation to Recognize Correctional Officers 5/16/2023 Washington – This week, Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Randy Weber (TX-14) introduced a House resolution, designating May 7th-13th as National Correctional Officers Week. ""As we celebrate our law enforcement for Police Week, it's important that we remember the role correctional officers also play in our justice system,"" Rep. Crawford said. ""Correctional officers face danger every day to serve and protect their local communities. I am proud to support all of our law enforcement and stand by them at a time when anti-police rhetoric is being embraced by liberal extremists."" ""Our correctional officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe and our prisons secure,"" said Rep. Weber. ""We owe a debt of gratitude to our correctional and law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to maintain law and order. I am proud to designate and recognize National Correctional Officers Week. Thank you to the courageous men and women in my district and nationwide."" Co-sponsors include: Clay Higgins (LA-03), Brian Babin (TX-36), Don Bacon (NE-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Larry Bucshon (IN-08), Daniel Meuser (PA-09), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Mike Bost (IL-12), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), Anthony D'Esposito (NY-04), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Michael Guest (MS-03), and Glenn Thompson (PA-15). ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-carter-smith-call-pharmacies-protect-womens-health-refusing,"WESTERMAN, CARTER, SMITH CALL ON PHARMACIES TO PROTECT WOMEN'S HEALTH BY REFUSING DANGEROUS MAIL-ORDER CHEMICAL ABORTION PRESCRIPTIONS",2023-05-16,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Following Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS Pharmacy announcing that they plan to become certified to dispense the chemical abortion drug mifepristone, Congressman Bruce Westerman joined Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Chris Smith (R-NJ) and 35 House Republicans in a letter calling on the companies to protect the health and safety of women and unborn children. In the letter, the members write: “We are deeply disappointed by your organization’s announcement that it has applied to become certified to dispense the chemical abortion drug mifepristone. There is substantial evidence that mifepristone harms women and girls, and your organization’s choice to dispense it for the sole purpose of killing the unborn child of a woman known to be pregnant violates your organization’s mission of protecting public health by ensuring the safe use of pharmaceuticals.” The members continue: “Federal law…provides criminal penalties prohibiting the sending or receiving of any drug that is ‘designed, adapted, or intended for producing abortion’ using the mail or interstate shipment…We seek acknowledgement from your organization regarding the relevant federal and state laws and specific information about how it intends to comply with them.” Co-signors include: Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Mike Bost (R-IL), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Bob Latta (R-OH), Jim Banks (R-IN), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Cory Mills (R-FL), Jerry Carl (R-AL), Mark Alford (R-MO), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Keith Self (R-TX), David Rouzer (R-NC), James Moylan (R-GU), Bill Posey (R-FL), Greg Steube (R-FL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), August Pfluger (R-TX), Brian Babin (R-TX), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Bob Good (R-VA), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Alex Mooney (R-MD), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) led a companion letter in the Senate. Read the full letter here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-westerman-cosponsored-resolution-memorialize-law,HOUSE PASSES WESTERMAN COSPONSORED RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY,2023-05-15,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman to express support for National Police Week. H.R. 363 expresses unwavering support for law enforcement officers and recognizes the sacrifices of families who have lost loved ones who gave their lives while serving their communities. Specifically, the resolution recognizes: Law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities. The need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while protecting the public. The law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-cosigns-letter-va-false-statements-about-limit-save-grow-act,"WESTERMAN COSIGNS LETTER TO VA ON FALSE STATEMENTS ABOUT LIMIT, SAVE, GROW ACT",2023-05-12,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman joined 65 Republican Colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough regarding their false statements against the Limit, Save, Grow Act. “While House Republicans are working to protect veterans who risked their lives in service to our country, far-left Democrats are using them as political pawns. In a press release on April 21st, the VA purposefully spread partisan, dishonest information about the Limit, Save, Grow Act to mislead veterans to believe their benefits would be cut. House Republicans have always prioritized veterans in our budgets to ensure the men and women who have served our country have the access to the care and benefits they were promised. “I joined Rep. Clyde and more than 60 of my Republican colleagues to respectfully demand the immediate removal of the VA’s April 21st press release that contained misinformation about cuts to veterans’ benefits in the Limit, Save, Grow Act. No where in the legislation does it cut their benefits, and I will not stand idle while the Biden Administration politicizes the VA and spreads false claims. I urge Secretary McDonough to move quickly and retract the dishonest press release and issue an apology to our nation’s veterans for spreading false information about their benefits,” Congressman Westerman said.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-votes-to-defend-our-southern-border-as-title-42-lapse-causes-chaos,Rep. Crawford Votes to Defend our Southern Border as Title 42 Lapse Causes Chaos,2023-05-11,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Votes to Defend our Southern Border as Title 42 Lapse Causes Chaos 5/11/2023 Washington – With Title 42 restrictions on illegal entry into the U.S. from the southern border ending, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) voted on Thursday in support of H.R. 2, The Secure the Border Act of 2023. The bill is designed to limit the chaos that is expected beginning when Title 42 lapses late Thursday night. ""When President Biden took office, he put out a welcome mat for illegal migrants, inviting them into our country as word spread that his Administration would fly them to any destination in the country, at taxpayers' expense,"" Rep. Crawford said. ""Millions responded, flooding our nation with undocumented immigrants, overcrowding our schools and hospitals and allowing drug cartels to traffic fentanyl and other deadly drugs throughout our nation. Now, with Title 42 ending, Biden is replacing his welcome mat with a red carpet, moving this from a crisis to a catastrophe."" The legislation Crawford supported, and which passed the House, would, among other things: Require an immediate restart of border wall construction using previously appropriated and unexpired funds that the Biden administration irresponsibly cancelled on January 20, 2021. Support Border Patrol agents by providing retention bonuses and hiring thousands of additional Border Patrol agents. Return Border Patrol Agents to their law enforcement mission in the field rather than as paper pushers preparing illegal immigrants to be released into our nation's interior. Address the immigration court backlog by strengthening and streamlining the asylum process, ensuring that those with valid claims of asylum are protected and adjudicated in a timely manner. End Biden's ""catch and release"" policies and ensure that detention for the pendency of their immigration court proceedings, removal, or a Remain-in-Mexico type program are the only options for those who illegally cross the border. Create penalties for visa overstays that are equal to the criminal penalties for illegally crossing the border. ""The failure of his Administration to prepare for this catastrophe, despite months of warning, strongly suggests that President Biden is fine with what is coming. We need to invest resources for our borders and allow border patrol agents to carry out their jobs and keep us safe,"" Crawford concluded. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-participates-third-annual-back-blue-bike-tour,Westerman Participates in Third Annual Back the Blue Bike Tour,2023-05-11,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON DC – This morning, Congressman Bruce Westerman participated in the Third Annual Back the Blue bike tour hosted by Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Westerman rode alongside House Republicans and law enforcement officers on the bike ride through Washington, D.C., starting at the U.S. Capitol and finishing at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The bike tour took place ahead of National Police Week to pay tribute to the men and women who protect and serve our communities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-secure-border,Westerman Votes to Secure the Border,2023-05-11,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman voted YES to pass H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023. He released the following statement: “I’ve seen firsthand the unprecedented national security, ecological, and humanitarian crisis at the southern border. Unimaginable things are happening in our country because of the Biden Administration’s failure to put its foot down and enforce our border laws. The increased drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and human trafficking at the border are affecting every community – not just the cities and states along the border – and it’s spreading like a wildfire across our country. “With the expiration of Title 42, the crisis at the border will only go from bad to worse, and the Biden Administration has no plan to control the coming chaos. Fortunately, House Republicans were prepared. We promised the American people we’d secure the southern border and protect our communities. Today, we passed legislation to stand up to the drug cartels and remove the incentives for people to cross our southern border illegally. H.R. 2 will bolster the capabilities of our border patrol agents to combat human and drug trafficking, rein in illegal immigration, and ensure our national security,” Congressman Westerman said. The Secure the Border Act of 2023 would: Resume border wall construction Bolster CBP staffing Modernizes and enhances technology Demands transparency from DHS Addresses CBP retention Supports local law enforcement",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-crawford-and-mann-urge-biden-administration-to-address-india-s-wto-violations,Reps. Crawford and Mann Urge Biden Administration to Address India’s WTO Violations,2023-05-09,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Reps. Crawford and Mann Urge Biden Administration to Address India's WTO Violations 5/4/2023 Washington – Last week, Representatives Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Tracey Mann (KS-01) led a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging them to formally initiate a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement case against India for violating the trade agreement. Current WTO rules allow governments to subsidize up to 10% of the value of commodity production; however, the Indian government continues to subsidize more than half of the value of production for several commodities, including rice and wheat. India's lack of rule-following, and the U.S. government's lack of enforcement, have reshaped global agricultural production and trade channels by flooding the market with India-subsidized rice, unfairly penalizing American rice producers in export markets. ""Due to India's blatant disregard of the trade agreement, American rice farmers are being forced to sell their crops at a lower price. It's clear that our farmers are not being given the level playing field that they were promised by both the US government and the WTO. We must hold those accountable who violate their trade agreements, which is why my colleagues and I are calling on the US to initiate a dispute settlement case,"" said Rep. Crawford. ""Agricultural trade agreements exist to support the tireless efforts of American farmers, ranchers, and producers,"" said Rep. Mann. ""When a country violates a trade agreement or a World Trade Organization (WTO) commitment, they must be held accountable. Otherwise, American producers will bear the cost of their actions. India has abused those WTO commitments by dramatically over-subsidizing their wheat and rice farm sector with trade-distorting forms of support, which is leading to artificially low-priced exports. American producers, who are following the WTO rules, should not have to compete with such blatant disregard for market fairness. We must initiate a WTO dispute settlement case, which is the swift action that American producers deserve."" #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-joins-bipartisan-congressional-delegation-israel-jordan-egypt,"Westerman Joins Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Israel, Jordan, Egypt",2023-05-05,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman joined a bipartisan Congressional delegation, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. More about the trip below: During their time in Israel, the delegation received updates on the security challenges facing Israel, and discussed ways they can continue to work together as Israel celebrates 75 years of independence. Westerman and the delegation met with Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israel President Issac Herzog. In Jordan, Westerman and the Delegation met with His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-cosponsors-bipartisan-legislation-commemorating-50th,WESTERMAN COSPONSORS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION,2023-05-02,2023,2023-05,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman cosponsored bipartisan legislation to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The legislation also recognizes the National Wild Turkey Federation's significant contributions to scientific wildlife management, research, and habitat conservation, as well as promotes and protects the long-honored outdoor traditions of the United States. ""I grew up turkey hunting, and turkey season is one of my favorite times of year in the 4th District. Which is why I am proud to cosponsor bipartisan legislation to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Wild Turkey Federation. I appreciate NWTF's efforts to promote the conservation of wild turkey habitats and hunting,"" Congressman Bruce Westerman said.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-pass-limit-save-grow-act,"WESTERMAN VOTES TO PASS LIMIT, SAVE, GROW, ACT",2023-04-26,2023,2023-04,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, cosponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman - a sensible solution to raise the debt ceiling and avoid defaulting on our debt. The legislation will establish spending levels for FY24 at FY 22 levels and allow for 1% annual growth over the next ten years. The Limit, Save, Grow Act is estimated to save taxpayers nearly $4.5 trillion. Congressman Bruce Westerman released the following statement: “Our nation has a debt problem, and hardworking Americans are paying the price. Since we hit the debt limit in January, I have said time and time again that we cannot simply raise the limit without making sensible, proactive changes to our government’s reckless spending of taxpayer dollars. House Republicans took action with the Limit, Save, Grow Act, which will limit irresponsible government spending, save taxpayer dollars, and ultimately grow the American economy. House Republicans are serious about strengthening our economy so we can end this cycle of out-of-control debt; it’s time President Biden and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle follow suit. It’s long overdue that we get America back on the right fiscal track.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-s-earth-day-statement,Rep. Crawford’s Earth Day Statement,2023-04-21,2023,2023-04,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford's Earth Day Statement 4/21/2023 WASHINGTON—With Saturday being declared ""Earth Day"" by many elected officials and environmental interest groups, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement: ""Earth Day is a nice concept, but in practice it typically turns into an annual bashing of humans as spoiling the planet, with bigger government, higher taxes, and less freedom for Americans being the alleged solutions. But the inconvenient truth ignored by those who clamor loudest on Earth Day is that the Communist Party that rules China is the biggest environmental danger on the planet. So-called ""green"" corporate titans and Wall Street financiers talk about their love of the planet as they have outsourced American manufacturing to China, a low-wage dictatorship with lax environmental standards, fueled by the very coal that the Left vilifies. By all means let's celebrate Earth Day, but let's do it by committing to real change: reducing our reliance on communist China's pollution-rich manufacturing, while rebuilding our domestic manufacturing base."" ######",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-votes-to-protect-women-s-sports,Crawford Votes to Protect Women’s Sports,2023-04-20,2023,2023-04,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Crawford Votes to Protect Women's Sports 4/20/2023 WASHINGTON—Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which passed the House by a vote of 219-203. This bill clarifies that recipients of federal education dollars stand in violation of Title IX's prohibition against sex discrimination if they allow biological males to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls. Recently, there has been an increase of biological men participating in women's sports, which has endangered the safety and stolen the valor of female athletes in sports such as swimming, track, and volleyball. Congressman Crawford is also a cosponsor of this legislation. ""Congress passed Title IX half a century ago to give girls and women an equal opportunity to compete in school sports programs. It has been a big success. But this progress in under assault by extremist Democrats including President Joe Biden, who are demanding biological males be allowed to compete against female athletes on girls' and women's sports teams. This destroys the integrity of women's and girls' sports, as female athletes are being forced to compete against individuals who have biological physical advantages over them. It is heartbreaking to hear the stories of girls and women who trained their entire lives, only to be defeated by male opponents who have demonstrable and irreversible biological advantages. Congress has a duty to fight back against these attacks on Title IX, which has given girls and women opportunities to compete on a level playing field for multiple generations,"" said Rep. Crawford. To further protect women, Congressman Crawford with Senator Tom Cotton introduced the Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act. This bill would require the Bureau of Prisons to house federal inmates according to their biological sex, to protect women inmates from sexual and other violence by male prisoners and would withhold certain federal grants from states that fail to do the same. #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-protect-integrity-and-fairness-womens-sports,WESTERMAN VOTES TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS OF WOMEN'S SPORTS,2023-04-20,2023,2023-04,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman voted in favor of H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023. ""As a former college athlete myself, I can’t imagine how it feels for female athletes to compromise the fairness of the sport they love by being forced to compete against biological men – it’s unfair. Women in sports fought for too long to be respected in athletics – and now the radical left’s agenda is putting Title IX and the integrity of women’s athletics in jeopardy,"" said Congressman Westerman. ""This should not be a partisan issue; it’s why we have women’s sports – basic genetics tells us that some biological males will naturally have a physical advantage over some females. This bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, will ensure a level playing field for female athletes. House Republicans promised to protect the integrity and fairness of women’s sports from the woke left, and that’s exactly what this bill does.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/arkansas-delegation-to-yellen-proposed-treasury-rules-will-hurt-rural-arkansas-banks,Arkansas Delegation to Yellen: Proposed Treasury Rules Will Hurt Rural Arkansas Banks,2023-04-13,2023,2023-04,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (sara.robertson2@mail.house.gov) Arkansas Delegation to Yellen: Proposed Treasury Rules Will Hurt Rural Arkansas Banks April 13, 2023 Washington, DC — Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) along with Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), Congressman French Hill (AR-02), Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03), and Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. The letter warns Secretary Yellen that the proposed changes to the Community Development Financial Institution's (CDFI) Certification Application will hurt Arkansas banks, especially those in rural communities. The lawmakers ask Secretary Yellen to rescind the proposals and give regulatory agencies and affected financial institutions the time to carefully consider any changes to the CDFI application. In part, the lawmakers wrote: ""According to a 2021 report by the National Community Investment Coalition, lending to low-and-moderate-income areas in rural counties is only 10% that of middle and upper-income lending. Many of these rural counties are underserved by traditional financial institutions and this lack of access to credit and financial services makes it difficult for rural residents to start businesses, buy homes, and pursue other economic opportunities. Yet, the Treasury Department is pursuing changes to the CDFI certification application that would result in many rural banks losing their CDFI status through stricter rules on interest rates, underwriting standards, risk management tools, disclosure requirements, and target markets."" Full text of the letter may be found here and below. April 13, 2023 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20220 Dear Secretary Yellen: We write to you regarding proposed changes to the Community Development Financial Institution's (CDFI) Certification Application and related guidance. The aggressive changes the Treasury Department is pursuing will result in the loss of CDFI status for banks across Arkansas. According to a 2021 report by the National Community Investment Coalition, lending to low-and-moderate-income areas in rural counties is only 10% that of middle and upper-income lending. Many of these rural counties are underserved by traditional financial institutions and this lack of access to credit and financial services makes it difficult for rural residents to start businesses, buy homes, and pursue other economic opportunities. Yet, the Treasury Department is pursuing changes to the CDFI certification application that would result in many rural banks losing their CDFI status through stricter rules on interest rates, underwriting standards, risk management tools, disclosure requirements, and target markets. Not only are these new rules harmful for rural communities, but the process for making these changes is inadequate. We ask that the Treasury Department pursue any changes in the CDFI Certification Application through the rulemaking process outlined in the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). These changes deserve to be carefully examined by our regulatory agencies and the affected financial institutions should be given time to consider and weigh in. We ask you to rescind this guidance, which will do real harm to our rural communities, and approach changes to the CDFI fund through the proper rulemaking process. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-slams-biden-s-absurd-electric-vehicle-rule,Crawford Slams Biden's Absurd Electric Vehicle Rule,2023-04-13,2023,2023-04,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Crawford Slams Biden's Absurd Electric Vehicle Rule 4/13/2023 WASHINGTON—The Biden Administration announced on Wednesday a new policy to require two out of every three new cars sold in 2032 to be electric vehicles (EVs). The new mandate, to be imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and take effect spring 2024, comes on the heels of plans by President Joe Biden to limit or ban gas stoves, incandescent light bulbs, most current refrigerators and washing machines, inexpensive coal and clean natural gas, and other necessary items. ""President Biden's war on middle class families continues, and this time, he's coming for your cars,"" said Congressman Rick Crawford, Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. ""Why should Joe Biden or some Washington bureaucrat decide what kind of car you can buy?"" Electric vehicles on average run about $20,000 more than gas powered cars, and were fewer than 6% of new cars purchased by Americans in 2022, even with massive taxpayer-funded EV subsidies. (More than 98% of used car sales are gas-powered.) EVs remain substantially a California phenomenon: with 12% of the US population, California accounted for 39% of all EV registrations in 2021. ""In the midst of persistently high inflation and rising interest rates, the president will put the cost of new cars further out of reach in the name of the climate. But EVs pose major environmental concerns of their own,"" Crawford added. According to the Manhattan Institute: ""A lithium EV battery weighs about 1,000 pounds. [It] typically contains about 25 pounds of lithium, 30 pounds of cobalt, 60 pounds of nickel, 110 pounds of graphite, 90 pounds of copper, about 400 pounds of steel, aluminum, and various plastic components."" And much of this extraction and processing comes from China, which generates more than half of its energy from coal and has notoriously lax environmental standards. Crawford concluded: ""This latest Democrats-know-best mandate is bad news for middle class families. With the average cost of an EV currently more than 40% higher than a gas-powered car, we simply cannot afford more of Joe Biden's disastrous Green New Deal policies,"" Crawford concluded. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/arkansas-delegation-yellen-proposed-treasury-rules-will-hurt-rural,Arkansas Delegation to Yellen: Proposed Treasury Rules Will Hurt Rural Arkansas Banks,2023-04-13,2023,2023-04,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), along with Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01), Congressman French Hill (AR-02), and Congressman Steve Womack (AR-04), today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. The letter warns Secretary Yellen that the proposed changes to the Community Development Financial Institution’s (CDFI) Certification Application will hurt Arkansas banks, especially those in rural communities. The lawmakers ask Secretary Yellen to rescind the proposals and give regulatory agencies and affected financial institutions the time to carefully consider any changes to the CDFI application. In part, the lawmakers wrote: “According to a 2021 report by the National Community Investment Coalition, lending to low-and-moderate-income areas in rural counties is only 10% that of middle and upper-income lending. Many of these rural counties are underserved by traditional financial institutions and this lack of access to credit and financial services makes it difficult for rural residents to start businesses, buy homes, and pursue other economic opportunities. Yet, the Treasury Department is pursuing changes to the CDFI certification application that would result in many rural banks losing their CDFI status through stricter rules on interest rates, underwriting standards, risk management tools, disclosure requirements, and target markets.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. April 13, 2023 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20220 Dear Secretary Yellen: We write to you regarding proposed changes to the Community Development Financial Institution’s (CDFI) Certification Application and related guidance. The aggressive changes the Treasury Department is pursuing will result in the loss of CDFI status for banks across Arkansas. According to a 2021 report by the National Community Investment Coalition, lending to low-and-moderate-income areas in rural counties is only 10% that of middle and upper-income lending. Many of these rural counties are underserved by traditional financial institutions and this lack of access to credit and financial services makes it difficult for rural residents to start businesses, buy homes, and pursue other economic opportunities. Yet, the Treasury Department is pursuing changes to the CDFI certification application that would result in many rural banks losing their CDFI status through stricter rules on interest rates, underwriting standards, risk management tools, disclosure requirements, and target markets. Not only are these new rules harmful for rural communities, but the process for making these changes is inadequate. We ask that the Treasury Department pursue any changes in the CDFI Certification Application through the rulemaking process outlined in the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). These changes deserve to be carefully examined by our regulatory agencies and the affected financial institutions should be given time to consider and weigh in.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-president-trump-indictment,Rep. Crawford Statement on President Trump Indictment,2023-03-30,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on President Trump Indictment 3/30/2023 WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement in response to reports that former President Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury: ""The District Attorney of a city in the midst of a violent crime spree is brazenly pursuing criminal charges against a former President, setting a dangerous precedent that our country has purposefully avoided until now. This indictment fulfills the campaign pledge of Democrat Alvin Bragg, a George Soros backed public official. Far left partisans using cooked up charges to lock up their political opponents is a practice of banana republics, not freedom loving nations. These tactics have no place in America."" #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-speaks-on-importance-of-upgrading-emergency-weather-service-communications,Rep. Crawford Speaks on Importance of Upgrading Emergency Weather Service Communications,2023-03-29,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Speaks on Importance of Upgrading Emergency Weather Service Communications March 29, 2023 Washington – Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) spoke in support of H.R. 1496, the National Weather Service (NWS) Communications Improvement Act. The legislation was marked-up and passed with bipartisan support in the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. NWS Chat is a messaging system used to distribute time-sensitive weather information to broadcasters, emergency managers, and the general public. Unfortunately, the system is outdated and is not able to accommodate the thousands of users who utilize it. H.R. 1496 will upgrade the messaging service used by NWS personnel by directing the NWS Director to select a commercial alternative for the current system. Last week, supercell weather systems led to an EF-4 tornado in rural Mississippi that claimed the lives of at least 26 people while destroying entire communities. To watch Rep. Crawford's full remarks, please click HERE. sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/03/image00299-1024x569.png"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2254""/> Topline Quotes: ""It's an unfortunate reality that extreme weather events can pop up and take the life of a citizen in just minutes. And these events won't stop in the future. But it is our responsibility as legislators in Congress to ensure federal agencies like NOAA and NWS are equipped to save lives and property to the best of their ability when they do happen."" ""Although NOAA and NWS tend to quickly identify issues with the [NWS Chat] platform during failures and get full functionality back in a matter of minutes, it's a fact that every second matters during these deadly storms. Any period of communication outage can equal lives lost."" ""Simply put, [H.R. 1496] authorizes a commonsense upgrade that would allow the federal government to utilize established technology, rather than try to create its own."" #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-stefanik-announce-usda-secretary-expresses-support-for-the-pass-act,"Crawford, Stefanik Announce USDA Secretary Expresses Support for the PASS Act",2023-03-28,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Crawford, Stefanik Announce USDA Secretary Expresses Support for the PASS Act March 28, 2023 Washington – Today, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) announced that United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed support for their Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, which would ensure USDA is fully involved in reviewing our foreign adversaries' acquisition of American agricultural land and companies in response to Communist China's threats to America's food supply. During a House Agriculture Committee hearing today, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack responded to Crawford's question on the role of a USDA Secretary on the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) by saying, ""Being a permanent member would allow us to educate the other members of CFIUS what to look for and what to be sensitive to when it comes to agriculture and agricultural production."" One of the components of this bill would add the Secretary of Agriculture as a standing member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to consider agriculture needs when making determinations affecting our national security. ""American agriculture is a powerhouse. Our adversaries know this and have resorted to tactics like buying up American farmland and stealing agriculture research,"" Crawford said. ""I thank Sec. Vilsack for supporting our efforts to bridge the communications gap between USDA and our intelligence agencies, as well as his willingness to provide USDA expertise and information sharing capabilities to other agencies. It's time to be proactive in addressing these threats to our food supply and to our producers."" ""I am proud to hear USDA Secretary Vilsack's support for our bipartisan bill, the PASS Act,"" Stefanik said. ""As Communist China increases its attempts to threaten our agricultural land and businesses, we must take every precaution to ensure foreign ownership of American farmland does not undermine our national security. My bill with Congressman Crawford, the PASS Act, takes critical steps to ensure we do not concede any ownership of our food supply to those actively working against our security interests."" In February, Stefanik and Crawford, alongside Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), introduced the PASS Act, which will protect our national security by preventing foreign adversaries from taking any ownership or control of the United States' agricultural land and agricultural businesses. Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the Senate companion. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-questions-stakeholders-about-infrastructure-permitting-reform,Rep. Crawford Questions Stakeholders about Infrastructure Permitting Reform,2023-03-28,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Questions Stakeholders about Infrastructure Permitting Reform March 28, 2023 Washington – Today, Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01), questioned infrastructure stakeholders in the first subcommittee hearing of the 118th Congress. The hearing, titled ""Reviewing the Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)"" focused on oversight of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that was signed into law last year. IIJA included permitting reforms known as One Federal Decision, which is intended to streamline the process of receiving permits to begin infrastructure projects. Obtaining a permit has historically been a long process that can delay projects. Due to high inflation, the costs of these projects can increase significantly during these project delays. In response to Rep. Crawford's questions, stakeholders indicated that they have yet to see the Department of Transportation (DOT) changes in action, but emphasized the importance of speeding up the permitting process. To watch Rep. Crawford's full line of questioning, please click HERE. sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/03/image001.png"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2247""/> ""As states and industry continue to face persistently high inflation, it's important we address needless delays in permitting to ensure projects can move forward expeditiously. Congress must continue to do oversight to ensure that these permitting reforms work as intended, so these infrastructure funds don't continue to lose value as project managers battle through red tape,"" said Rep. Crawford. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/arkansas-delegation-supports-governor-s-request-for-major-disaster-declaration,Arkansas Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration,2023-03-21,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Boozman, Sara Lasure or Matthew Wester Cotton, Caroline Tabler or James Arnold Crawford, Sara Robertson Hill, Brooke Nethercott Womack, Olivia Tripodi Westerman, Sarah Henderson Arkansas Delegation Supports Governor's Request for Major Disaster Declaration March 21, 2023 WASHINGTON — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) — along with U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton and Congressmen French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman — wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' request for a major disaster declaration for Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Nevada, Ouachita, Searcy and Stone Counties due to severe winter weather from January 30-February 2, 2023. ""Arkansans have demonstrated resourcefulness and resilience during this challenging time. But as it stands, we believe the magnitude of this weather event warrants supplemental federal assistance. The above-mentioned counties have seen homes, businesses, and important infrastructure severely damaged, and federal government resources will be critical in our restoration efforts,"" members wrote in the letter. The letter can be found here and below: Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' request to declare a major disaster, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, as a result of a winter storm beginning on January 30, 2023, and continued through February 2, 2023. As Governor Sanders noted in her request, the severity of this event created disastrous amounts of debris, caused widespread power outages, and resulted in the death of two citizens. Preliminary damage estimates show a major impact to local jurisdictions in Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Nevada, Ouachita, Searcy, and Stone Counties totaling a staggering $8,946,609.68. Governor Sanders has activated all emergency resources and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management has coordinated all appropriate state agencies. However, Arkansas has been affected by additional severe weather events before and after this winter storm, including a Gubernatorial Declared disaster. Both the state and many of the local jurisdictions in this request are recovering from these other weather events as well. Arkansans have demonstrated resourcefulness and resilience during this challenging time. But as it stands, we believe the magnitude of this weather event warrants supplemental federal assistance. The above-mentioned counties have seen homes, businesses, and important infrastructure severely damaged, and federal government resources will be critical in our restoration efforts. The entire Arkansas delegation is eager to assist in any way possible to ensure expedited evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions. We thank you for your support, and respectfully ask for your attention and assistance in providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety and full recovery of Arkansans. -30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/arkansas-delegation-supports-governors-request-major-disaster,Arkansas Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Major Disaster Declaration,2023-03-21,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman—wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a major disaster declaration for Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Nevada, Ouachita, Searcy and Stone Counties due to severe winter weather from January 30-February 2, 2023. “Arkansans have demonstrated resourcefulness and resilience during this challenging time. But as it stands, we believe the magnitude of this weather event warrants supplemental federal assistance. The above-mentioned counties have seen homes, businesses, and important infrastructure severely damaged, and federal government resources will be critical in our restoration efforts,” members wrote in the letter. The letter can be found here and below: Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to declare a major disaster, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, as a result of a winter storm beginning on January 30, 2023, and continued through February 2, 2023. As Governor Sanders noted in her request, the severity of this event created disastrous amounts of debris, caused widespread power outages, and resulted in the death of two citizens. Preliminary damage estimates show a major impact to local jurisdictions in Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Nevada, Ouachita, Searcy, and Stone Counties totaling a staggering $8,946,609.68. Governor Sanders has activated all emergency resources and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management has coordinated all appropriate state agencies. However, Arkansas has been affected by additional severe weather events before and after this winter storm, including a Gubernatorial Declared disaster. Both the state and many of the local jurisdictions in this request are recovering from these other weather events as well. Arkansans have demonstrated resourcefulness and resilience during this challenging time. But as it stands, we believe the magnitude of this weather event warrants supplemental federal assistance. The above-mentioned counties have seen homes, businesses, and important infrastructure severely damaged, and federal government resources will be critical in our restoration efforts.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-president-bidens-budget-proposal,WESTERMAN STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BUDGET PROPOSAL,2023-03-10,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement on President Biden's FY 2024 budget proposal: ""Rather than proposing changes that would correct our current economic trajectory, President Biden proposed trillions of dollars in new taxes for hard working American families and businesses. His idea is that he is 'taxing the rich' and 'greedy businesses,' but at the end of the day, businesses will pass on those costs to the American people in the form of even higher costs. Americans can't afford that right now. ""What's more, the proposal ignores the economic debt crisis facing our country, and instead, would send us down the same path of irresponsible spending that got us to this point in the first place. The federal government once again collected record tax revenues. We don't have an alternative income problem; we have a spending problem. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is estimating that the U.S. will be paying over $10.5 TRILLION in the next decade on interest alone. That is more interest to be paid in the next ten years than has been paid in the history of our country. It's all driven by radical spending that's resulted in rapid inflation and higher interest rates that compound the problems Americans are facing every day.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-introduces-bill-to-keep-men-out-of-women-s-prisons,Crawford Introduces Bill to Keep Men Out of Women’s Prisons,2023-03-09,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Representative Crawford (AR-01) introduced the Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act, legislation to prohibit the Bureau of Prisons from housing prisoners with persons of the opposite sex. The legislation would require the Bureau of Prisons to house federal inmates according to their biological sex and would withhold certain federal grants from states that fail to do the same. Senator Cotton (R-AR) is leading companion legislation in the Senate. ""One of the main purposes of having sex-specific prisons is to protect incarcerated women from rape and other violent crimes. But some women's prisons in Democrat-run jurisdictions are now placing violent biological men in women's prisons on nothing more than a simple statement that the felon ‘identifies' as a woman. President Biden and his allies want this dangerous and absurd policy imposed on the entire nation. This is another anti-woman policy embraced by a Democrat party that is unrecognizable from the one we knew growing up. It's also anti-child, since it will lead to women being impregnated while incarcerated and having children born in the prison,"" said Congressman Crawford. ""President Biden's plan to house male and female prisoners together puts women in danger. Documented cases prove that placing men—including men who ‘identify' as women—in women's prisons puts female inmates at increased risk of sexual assault. My bill will stop the president's ill-conceived plan and keep men and women separated in federal prison,"" said Senator Cotton. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-president-biden-s-budget-request,Rep. Crawford Statement on President Biden’s Budget Request,2023-03-09,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"3/9/2023 WASHINGTON—Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement concerning President Biden's FY2024 budget plan: ""The President who assured us inflation was transitory now assures us that his budget will address the federal government's debt crisis. But his own budget office concedes his 10-year blueprint would add $17 trillion to the nation's debt, a level of debt that would endanger Social Security, Medicare, and our national security. Consequently, his budget has zero chance of passing the House."" ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-boozman-cotton-introduce-bill-to-mint-coin-memorializing-sultana-disaster,"Crawford, Boozman, Cotton, Introduce Bill to Mint Coin Memorializing Sultana Disaster",2023-03-07,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Crawford, Sara Robertson (202) 225-4076 Boozman, Sara Lasure or Matthew Wester (202) 224-4843 Cotton, Caroline Tabler or James Arnold (202) 224-2353 Crawford, Boozman, Cotton, Introduce Bill to Mint Coin Memorializing Sultana Disaster 3/7/2023 WASHINGTON—Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) along with U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced legislation to create a commemorative coin in remembrance of the Sultana Steamboat tragedy with a portion of the proceeds allotted to funding the preservation, maintenance and display of artifacts at the Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion, Arkansas. ""The sinking of the Sultana was a great tragedy that has been, for the most part, left in the shadows of the past. This commemorative coin would not only keep alive the memory of those who were lost, but help fund the efforts of Marion residents to tell this story and preserve this important part of our history and heritage,"" said Crawford. ""This commemorative coin will help share the stories of victims and survivors of the Sultana while preserving a piece of our history and ensuring this tragedy is not forgotten,"" Boozman said. ""This bill will honor the victims of the Sultana tragedy and spread awareness of the event. I'm proud to join the rest of the Arkansas delegation in introducing this legislation,"" Cotton said. On April 27, 1865, the Sultana, a 260-foot-long wooden steamboat carrying thousands of passengers exploded, burned and sank into the Mississippi River claiming the lives of more than 1,000 passengers including recently released Union prisoners of war. This tragedy is recognized as the greatest maritime disaster in U.S. history. The remains of the Sultana were rediscovered in 1982 and efforts were launched to preserve the artifacts. In 2011, Arkansas State University hosted the first public exhibit of relics from the disaster. A small museum opened in Marion to house these pieces of history and, after persistent efforts from the community and the Sultana Historical Preservation Society, ground was broken in November 2022 on a new multi-million dollar facility to host this educational and economic resource. This legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of Treasury to mint in 2023 $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins and half-dollar coins. Arkansas Congressmen French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman are original cosponsors of the House legislation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-expresses-concern-about-dods-policy-pay-service-members,WESTERMAN EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT DOD’s POLICY TO PAY FOR SERVICE MEMBERS’ TRAVEL COSTS TO ACCESS ABORTIONS,2023-03-03,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON: Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing concern about the Department of Defense’s recent announcement to implement new policies requiring commanders to allow Service members and their dependents to travel to different states for the purpose of obtaining an abortion if abortion is illegal in the state in which they are stationed. The DOD also announced that it will pay for all travel costs associated with the abortion – meals, travel, and hotel stay. Congressman Westerman released the following statement: “This is a blatant abuse of taxpayer dollars. Each state has a right to decide its own laws on abortion, and our military men and women must abide by the state’s laws in which they are stationed. If service members or their dependents want to go across state lines for an abortion because it’s illegal in their state, hardworking Americans should not be the ones who have to pick up the bill to fund their travel costs. I’m especially disappointed that on top of this irresponsible spending of taxpayer dollars, the Department of Defense has deliberately removed the role of a chaplain in providing spiritual care and counseling to a service member prior to seeking an abortion. I am respectfully calling on Secretary Austin to ensure the Department of Defense is acting in the spirit of the law and upholding the values of the American people to stop spending taxpayer dollars to fund abortions.” Background: On October 20, 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense released a memo, “Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care,” which directed the unprecedented use of taxpayer dollars to facilitate abortions for service members and their families. Congressman Westerman joined 40 Republican colleagues in a letter to Secretary of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressing concern for this blatant government overreach, a letter which the Department of Defense has since ignored. On February 13, 2023, the Department of Defense issued three more guidance memos to implement the October 20 announcement. When implemented, the Department of Defense will: Pay for the following for a service member or dependent to get an abortion across state lines: Cost of lodging Cost of meals Cost of round-trip transportation, including mileage or airline tickets Give up to 21 days of “administrative leave.” Administrative leave is typically given at a commander’s discretion for events like national disasters, dependent health emergencies, or bereavement. Under these new policies, it can be given for service members to get an abortion across state lines. Eliminate the role of the chaplain in providing spiritual care and counseling. Commanders will not be able to require that a soldier speaks with the chaplain prior to receiving an abortion. This diminishes the chaplain’s role to provide emotional and spiritual support to service members in times of need.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-announces-annual-art-competition-for-high-school-students,Rep. Crawford Announces Annual Art Competition for High School Students,2023-03-02,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Announces Annual Art Competition for High School Students 3/2/2023 JONESBORO — Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the guidelines for his annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students (grades 9-12) in the First District of Arkansas. This competition is part of a nationwide high school visual arts competition sponsored by the Congressional Institute. Students from the district submit their artwork in one of the competition's seven medium categories: collage, drawing, digital design, mixed media, painting, photography, and print. Winners are chosen from each category and the overall winner of the competition will be recognized at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Their winning artwork will be displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol and its student artist will receive paid airfare for two to travel to Washington D.C. to attend the ceremony. The submission deadline for the competition is April 14th. More information on the competition's guidelines and how to submit artwork digitally can be found on the congressman's website: Congressional Art Competition. Any additional questions can be directed to his Jonesboro office at 870-203-0540 or the email AR01.art@mail.house.gov ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-speaks-at-highway-and-transportation-conference,Rep. Crawford Speaks at Highway and Transportation Conference,2023-03-01,2023,2023-03,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Speaks at Highway and Transportation Conference 3/1/2023 sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/03/image002.png"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2223""/> Washington – Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) gave remarks at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) annual Washington Briefing. Crawford discussed priorities of the new Congress, including implementation of the Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization, which is set to expire this year. He went on to emphasize the importance of state assistance by urging the US Department of Transportation to create a comprehensive schedule of grant opportunities for the year and provide states with the tools they need and flexibility to use those tools how they see fit. ""We ask an awful lot of you, we ask a lot of our states but we don't necessarily properly equip the states to do the work that we need with regard to infrastructure investment. We need to give the states more flexibility so they can leverage federal investments to advance the needs of their communities, not the preferences of Washington officials,"" said Crawford. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-carter-golden-ruppersberger-introduce-bipartisan-bill-protect,"Westerman, Carter, Golden, Ruppersberger Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Patient Access to Their Medical Information",2023-02-27,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Jared Golden (D-ME), and Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) introduced the Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act of 2023 to ensure that rural Americans and seniors have access to important information about their prescription medications and to protect the jobs of hardworking Arkansans. It is common practice for patients to see safety, dosage, health consequences, and other details about their prescription medication when they pick it up from the counter, but this is not a legal requirement, leaving some patients in the dark about their own health. This bill would ensure that patients nationwide are guaranteed access to this vital information. “Although many pharmacies include some information to patients about their prescriptions, it’s not required by law. Without printed information about their medication, some seniors or patients without access to reliable internet connection may not receive the necessary information on safety, dosages, and other details about their medication. Legislation like this ensures that every patient, especially those in rural districts like mine, has access to the important information they need,” said Congressman Bruce Westerman. “When I practiced pharmacy, I always made sure that my patients knew the impacts their prescriptions would have on their health. This is a common-sense update that will help patients, pharmacists, and drug manufacturers maintain the highest quality health care for all. With this bill, you won’t need a medical degree or even a strong internet connection to know that you’re taking your medications safely and correctly,” said Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter. “Many rural Mainers and seniors don’t have reliable access to the internet or aren’t comfortable using it to get important information about their prescription medications,” said Congressman Jared Golden. “Our bipartisan bill requires information about medications to be printed, ensuring that every American who relies on a prescription has all the information they need to take it safely when they leave the pharmacy. This commonsense bill also would support hundreds of good jobs in Madawaska and our state’s forest products industry.” “I am proud to support this common sense, bipartisan bill that is simple and straightforward but potentially lifesaving,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger. “By requiring clear instructions and warnings such as potential adverse side effects on paper, we will ensure all Americans are empowered to take their prescriptions safely, especially seniors who cannot or do not use the Internet.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/arkansas-delegation-to-doe-why-was-chinese-company-awarded-federal-grant,Arkansas Delegation to DOE: Why Was Chinese Company Awarded Federal Grant?,2023-02-08,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (sara.robertson2@mail.house.gov) Arkansas Delegation to DOE: Why Was Chinese Company Awarded Federal Grant? February 8, 2023 Washington, D.C. — Congressman Rick Crawford (Arkansas-01), along with Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Congressmen French Hill (Arkansas-02), Steve Womack (Arkansas-03), and Bruce Westerman (Arkansas-04), sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm requesting information on DOE grants to boost America's production of critical minerals. The letter notes that a purpose of the grants was to secure American supply chains from dependence on China. However, the DOE awarded $200 million to Microvast, a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The lawmakers ask that Secretary Granholm provide information on the DOE's vetting process for grant recipients, and why a company with documented ties to the CCP received a grant. In part, the lawmakers wrote: ""While American companies were denied funding opportunities, the DOE supported a company that admits the Chinese government ‘exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities and may intervene, at any time and with no notice.' DOE's vetting and oversight process is deficient."" Full text of the letter may be found here and below. February 7, 2023 The Honorable Jennifer Granholm Secretary Department of Energy 1000 Independence Ave. SW Washington, D.C. 20585 Dear Secretary Granholm: We write to you requesting information regarding Department of Energy's (DOE) grants to boost America's production of critical minerals and to improve its critical mineral supply chain. On October 19, 2022, the DOE awarded $2.8 billion from the ""Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing & Recycling Funding Opportunity Announcement"" to 20 companies across 12 states. The purpose of this funding was to increase American production of advanced battery components, develop new approaches to battery recycling and manufacturing, and secure American supply chains from dependence on China. Yet, the Department of Energy awarded $200 million to Microvast, a company with documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) . Not only does Microvast primarily operate in China, but it's investing $445 million in expanding its operations in China. In May 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) added Microvast to a list of Chinese companies that are violating U.S. auditing requirements under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. While American companies were denied funding opportunities, the DOE supported a company that admits the Chinese government ""exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities and may intervene, at any time and with no notice."" DOE's vetting and oversight process is deficient. This is especially alarming, given that there is $7 billion in funding from the IIJA that has yet to be dispersed. Not only was this award in direct conflict with the grant's stated intent, but it harms Arkansas' economic growth due to the large lithium deposits in our state. The U.S. government cannot continue to funnel taxpayer funds into Chinese-controlled companies and should apply strict vetting and oversight to any current or future federal funding opportunities. For these reasons, we request the following information by February 21, 2023: Please describe the DOE's current vetting process for all loan and grant applicants. More specifically, please describe what protocols are in place to ensure current and future DOE grants and loans are not funding companies strongly tied to the CCP. Was DOE aware that Microvast was not in compliance with U.S. auditing requirements in May of 2022? If not, please explain why the current vetting process did not disclose this fact and what safeguards are in place to ensure future DOE funding does not go to companies violating U.S. law. If the goal of this funding is to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign entities for critical minerals, why would DOE award funding to a company with obvious ties to the CCP? ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/arkansas-delegation-introduces-legislation-to-designate-blytheville-air-force-base-as-national-cold-war-center,Arkansas Delegation Introduces Legislation to Designate Blytheville Air Force Base as National Cold War Center,2023-02-07,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Arkansas Delegation Introduces Legislation to Designate Blytheville Air Force Base as National Cold War Center 2/7/2023 Washington – Today, Representatives Crawford, Hill, Westerman, and Womack, along with Senators Boozman and Cotton, introduced legislation to name the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base located in Blytheville, Arkansas, the ""National Cold War Center."" The Eaker base opened in 1942 as a World War II advanced pilot training school, and later became an alert center during the Cold War. The Arkansas delegation also introduced this bill in the 117th Congress. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the base closed in 1992. In 2019, community leaders announced plans for a museum at that location to tell the history of the Cold War and the military response it required. The center will focus on the Soviet threat, America's response to communist expansionism, and the deterrence required to avoid a nuclear war. Its first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base and the role it played in defending the homeland. Upon introduction of the legislation, Rep. Crawford released the following statement. ""As a Cold War veteran, I can say it was a pivotal time in American history when the threats were tremendous but we were all united in defeating our enemies. I applaud those at the Blytheville Cold War Center who have kept alive this period and remind us of the threat that communism poses. Giving this historic military base Congressional recognition will ensure that the museum is able to continue to teach its visitors about the Cold War for generations to come."" ""We have a good story to tell. Blytheville played a vital role in America's national security and helped safeguard the world against the threat of nuclear war. The community is dedicated to preserving this history. I'm proud to join the effort designating this exhibit as the National Cold War Center so we can pay tribute and share the experiences of men and women who served at Eaker Air Force Base,"" said Sen. Boozman. ""Eaker Air Force Base played a key role in the defense of our nation during the Cold War—we ought to preserve its legacy and encourage the continued education of future generations. Our bill will officially recognize the museum in Blytheville as the nation's National Cold War Center, which will help preserve this important history and be a boon to local tourism,"" said Sen. Cotton. #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-biden-s-state-of-the-union-address,Rep. Crawford Statement on Biden’s State of the Union Address,2023-02-07,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on Biden's State of the Union Address 2/7/2023 Washington, DC – Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement in response to President Biden's State of the Union Address: ""The rosy vision that President Biden painted tonight is far from the reality that Americans currently face. The median household has to earn $9,000 more annually than they did when Biden was inaugurated, just to break even with the same buying power today. The Administration is oblivious to the hurt their ‘transient' inflation is still causing families. A better, more effective course was laid out tonight by Gov. Huckabee Sanders, my governor, and a great leader for our state."" #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/governor-sarah-huckabee-sanders-deliver-republican-address-nation,Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to Deliver Republican Address to the Nation,2023-02-03,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders will deliver the Republican Address to the Nation from the Arkansas Capitol, following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on February 7th. Congressman Bruce Westerman released the following statement celebrating the announcement: “Both as an Arkansan and a friend of Sarah, I am incredibly proud and excited that she has been selected to deliver the Republican Address to the Nation on Tuesday night."" Rep. Westerman said.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-announces-state-union-guest,Westerman Announces State of the Union Guest,2023-02-03,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman announced that his guest for this year’s State of the Union Address will be Brittany Alkonis. He released the following statement: “I am pleased that Mrs. Brittany Alkonis will be joining me for this historic occasion. Brittany is the wife of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, who has been unnecessarily imprisoned by the Japanese government,” Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) said. “Brittany’s relentless fight for justice for Ridge has caught my attention and that of many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress and has rallied a great deal of bipartisan support for the Alkonis family. I am humbled by the opportunity to welcome Brittany to the U.S. Capitol, and to hear her and her family’s story firsthand. It is my hope that Brittany’s presence at the State of the Union will be a step forward in the fight for justice for Ridge and will emphasize the need for the Biden Administration’s support in this fight to bring Ridge home.” Lt. Alkonis is originally from California and is a constituent of Congressman Mike Levin. Congressmen Bruce Westerman and Mike Levin are a part of the great number of Members of Congress who have joined the bipartisan fight to advocate for Lt. Alkonis’s release from prison. “Rep. Westerman and I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing treatment of Ridge Alkonis and the delays in his transfer to the United States.” Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) said. ""We want to see him come home as quickly as possible. I thank Rep. Westerman for inviting Brittany Alkonis to the State of the Union. Her presence will shine a light on this case and the impact it is having on her family and their communities. Her resilience throughout this difficult situation is remarkable. I continue to urge the U.S. and Japanese governments to work expeditiously on an agreement that will bring Ridge back home safely. Along with Rep. Westerman and other Members of Congress, I will continue to advocate on Ridge’s behalf until he is back on U.S. soil.” Background: U.S. Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis is originally from California and is the husband of Brittany Alkonis; they have three children together. In 2006, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy where he was a pitcher for the Midshipmen baseball team. From 2008-2010, he served on a church mission in Japan, where he gained great love and respect for the Country. In 2012, he moved to Japan with his wife to serve on the U.S.S. Fitzgerald, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. In May 2021, Lt. Alkonis was driving to his home in Japan, with his wife and three children after a hike on Mount Fuji. While driving, he experienced a horrible case of altitude sickness that caused him to lose consciousness at the wheel, leading to an accidental car crash which left two Japanese citizens dead. On the scene, Japanese officials neglected to provide Lt. Alkonis with medical care and immediately took him to jail, where he stayed in solitary confinement for 26 days without access to representation, counseling, medical examination, or adequate language translation. On June 23, 2021, he was released on bail. In October 2021, Lt. Alkonis was sentenced to 3 years and immediately sent to prison. This, despite his family’s commitment to pay the largest private gomensai settlement by a U.S. Service member in Japan’s history, of $1.65 million. Lt. Alkonis filed for an appeal and was released on bail. In July 2022, the Japanese Appellate court rejected Lt. Alkonis’ appeal and sent him to prison to serve his three-year prison sentence.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-highlights-covid-policies-and-trucker-shortage-in-hearing-on-supply-chain,Rep. Crawford Highlights COVID Policies and Trucker Shortage in Hearing on Supply Chain,2023-02-02,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Highlights COVID Policies and Trucker Shortage in Hearing on Supply Chain 2/2/2023 Washington — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) on Wednesday questioned Chris Spear, President of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), about the federal government's response to COVID-19 as well as the driver shortage and how it is affecting the trucking industry. Most recently, the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) included a pilot program that allows 18 to 20-year-old drivers who have a Commercial Driver's License to work across state lines. ""Forty-nine states already allow an 18-year-old to drive a Class 8, they just can't cross state lines,"" said Mr. Spear during the hearing. ""Now that works pretty good from Redding, California down to San Diego, but 20 minutes outside of Providence, Rhode Island not so much."" Rep. Crawford was an original co-sponsor of similar legislation as the provision in question, titled the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act, or the DRIVE Safe Act. The legislation would allow a pathway for drivers under the age of 21 to drive trucks across state lines by creating an apprenticeship program. Unfortunately, implementation of the bill by the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been slower than desired, and DOT has added provisions inconsistent with the text of the law. ""Having a camera in your face every minute of every hour of every work day, that's not in the bill and it's going to limit companies from joining this program and putting young talent in a capacity where they can replace our aging workforce,"" Mr. Spear highlighted. ""Agencies taking ‘artistic liberties' with their interpretation of laws that Congress wrote and the president signed into law often leads, as we see here, to regulations that violate the very law being interpreted,"" said Rep. Crawford after the hearing. ""Oversight is desperately needed in this area and I am gratified to be part of a House majority that will provide this."" The hearing, in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was entitled, ""The State of Transportation Infrastructure and Supply Chain Challenges."" sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/02/image002-tandi.png"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2179""/>Transcript of the full exchange below. Video of the full Q&A can be found here. Rep. Crawford Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I ask unanimous consent to submit for the record a letter from the Fertilizer Institute on their concerns about supply chain challenges. Chairman Graves Without objection. Rep. Crawford I thank the panelists for being here today. I want to start with you Mr. Spear. Looking back at the COVID-19 pandemic, in your estimation what could the federal government have done better to manage the public health concerns while at the same time maintaining continuity of supply chain? Mr. Spear (ATA) Well how much time do you have? But seriously, this is our first time all together dealing with a global pandemic. There were a lot of things thrown at our country, our economy, our industry, that we had to adjust to very quickly in order to make certain that store shelves had milk, eggs, bread and that gas stations had fuel. But then came the rush to get PPE, test kits, and the vaccine itself, that was moving largely by truck. Our industry stepped up to the plate when a lot of people stayed home not knowing what impact this would have on their health, their family's health – all real concerns. With all these risks still in their minds, they still got in the cab, they still drove those loads where they needed to be. They were the glue certainly in the early weeks and months of the pandemic. I think the inclusiveness of government and industry to solve problems of this magnitude is absolutely essential. I can point to things where we had a lot of conflict between our government and the government of Canada. Our inability to match bearings with public safety and health policy to get our trucks across land to their largest trading partner. We're dependent on one another and it just took two governments sitting down to hammer that out and they didn't do it – that's leadership. I'm not pointing fingers but that's just a reality that has an impact on an industry like ours to serve the populace, to serve society on the basic needs that they have to have. I think that when we looked at the OSHA announcement to require vaccines for employers with more than 100 employees – with my background coming off Senate Labor Committee, OSHA, DOL – we knew they did not have the authority to do that. We did not want to go to court. That was something that we certainly could've sat down and worked out but we ended up litigating it. It ended up going to the Supreme Court, six-three decision, you all know the outcome. A lot of wasted time on issues we really should be sitting down and working collectively toward. I can also point to a lot of good that came out of it as well. I drove in many instances across the country - we have a home in Wyoming. Seeing those billboards out in a cornfield thanking a trucker, seeing those banners off the overpasses, our drivers getting off of an interstate and being met by a police officer to escort them to where they can get a hot meal and a shower, boy scouts and girl scouts handing out baked goods at rest stops. Our image climbed to a level that wasn't even known to be possible. Rep. Crawford On that note, Mr. Spear, I would note that you did this at a time when the trucking industry was suffering and continues to suffer through a massive driver deficit. I share your support - as you mentioned in your opening testimony, to make it easier for our constituents to choose a career in truck driving, such as ensuring that 18 to 20-year-old drivers who have a Commercial Driver's License can work across state lines. I know you've been supportive of the three-year pilot program that was included in the IIJA. How is implementation going? Mr. Spear (ATA) It's like everything in this town – slower than we would like, but we have grown accustomed to it. I do think this program is going to bear fruit. We worked really hard in this committee to create a bipartisan understanding of this block of talent ages 18-20. But I'm also mindful as you understand that 49 states already allow an 18-year-old to drive a Class 8, they just can't cross state lines. Now that works pretty good from Redding, California down to San Diego, but 20 minutes outside of Providence, Rhode Island not so much. What we need to do is have good training and technology – none of the 49 states do that. This program that was put in the IIJA does. We need to teach young talent how to safely and responsibly operate this equipment. Inserting an issue like front-facing cameras, that was not part of the deal. That's a matter that most companies and their employees should negotiate out. Having a camera in your face every minute of every hour of every work day, that's not in the bill and it's going to limit companies from joining this program and putting young talent in a capacity where they can replace our aging workforce. So this is a concern where oversight is needed. I applaud you for shedding some light on this. We need to follow the law that you handed the agency. This is an area where I think we'll experience a bit of a headwind in getting this program off the ground. Rep. Crawford Appreciate it, my time is expired. I yield back.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/stefanik-crawford-costa-rounds-tester-work-to-protect-us-agriculture-from-foreign-adversaries,"Stefanik, Crawford, Costa, Rounds, Tester Work to Protect U.S. Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries",2023-02-02,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Stefanik, Crawford, Costa, Rounds, Tester Work to Protect U.S. Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries 2/2/2023 Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR), Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), Senator John Tester (D-MT), and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) are introducing the bipartisan Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, which will protect our national security by preventing foreign adversaries from taking any ownership or control of the United States' agricultural land and agricultural businesses. As a response to reports of China threatening America's food supply by acquiring U.S. farmland and agriculture companies, this bill will ensure the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is fully involved in reviewing our foreign adversaries' acquisition of American companies that may affect our agriculture sector. ""Food security is national security, and I am proud to stand up against our foreign adversaries as they attempt to exploit any potential vulnerability and assert control over our agriculture industry,"" said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said. ""The United States cannot allow malign ownership bids of American assets by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to undermine the efforts of our farmers, whose hard work feeds and fuels our communities. Especially as we witness the devastating impact of a supply chain crisis, the United States cannot cede any ownership of our food supply to those who are actively working against our security interests."" ""Recent reports of entities ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party buying American farmland and agriculture companies validate the need for a more proactive posture on protecting our agriculture sector from foreign threats. Adversarial nations like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea should not be given the opportunity to chip away at our economy and harm our agriculture producers who have worked diligently to create the world's largest, safest, and most abundant food supply. I appreciate colleagues like Rep. Stefanik who are willing to stand up for our farmers and bring real solutions to the table,"" said Congressman Rick Crawford. ""Food is a national security issue. Increasing foreign ownership of American farms and farmland is a threat to our food security,"" said Congressman Jim Costa. ""We need to prevent foreign adversaries like China and Iran from undermining the American agricultural industry. We introduced this legislation to ensure American agriculture is operated by American businesses."" ""Protecting American farmland is critical to maintaining our national security,"" said Senator Mike Rounds. ""In my travels around South Dakota, I have heard from many farmers and ranchers who are concerned about foreign adversaries owning American farmland. This legislation makes certain American interests are protected by blacklisting foreign adversaries from purchasing land or businesses involved in agriculture."" ""As a third-generation Montana farmer, I'm not going to sit back and let our foreign adversaries weaken our national security by buying up American farmland,"" said Senator Jon Tester. ""That's why I'm proud to be joining my friend Senator Rounds on this bipartisan effort to prevent foreign entities from acquiring U.S. farmland and ensure our farmers have a seat at the table when the government makes decisions impacting our national security."" The Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act: Prohibits China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing U.S. agricultural land and agricultural companies Adds the Secretary of Agriculture as a standing member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to consider agriculture needs when making determinations affecting our national security, Requires the President to submit a report to Congress on any waiver granted to a prohibited country, and Requires reporting from the Secretary of Agriculture on the risk of foreign purchases of agriculture companies to the American agriculture sector. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Johnson (R-LA), David Valadao (R-CA), Austin Scott (R-GA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Barry Moore (R-AL), John Rutherford (R-FL), James R. Baird (R-IN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Max Miller (R-OH), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Claudia Tenney (R-NY) cosponsored this legislation. The Senate version of the bill was cosponsored by Senators John Thune (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and John Hoeven (R-ND).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-celebrates-transportation-infrastructure-subcommittee,Westerman Celebrates Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee Assignments,2023-02-01,2023,2023-02,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman celebrated his subcommittee assignments for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the 118th Congress. Rep. Westerman was assigned to the Aviation, Water Resources and Environment, and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittees. The Congressman has served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for 6 years, and released the following statement celebrating his assignments: “I’m honored to continue serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, more specifically, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my friends Chairman Garret Graves, Chairman Troy Nehls, and Chairman David Rouzer on these prestigious subcommittees,” Rep. Westerman said.“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to tackle supply chain problems, reauthorize the FAA, and make much-needed improvements to our nation’s water infrastructure.” “I am excited to welcome back Representative Bruce Westerman to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” Committee Chairman Sam Graves said. “I am confident he will continue being a valuable member of our committee as we work to develop solutions to improve our infrastructure, strengthen transportation programs, and help alleviate ongoing energy and supply chain problems on behalf of the American people.” Representative Westerman is delighted to continue serving on the Water Resources and Environment and the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittees, which he has done for a number of years. He is particularly excited to join with Aviation Subcommittee for this Congress.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-visits-pocahontas-municipal-airport,Rep. Crawford Visits Pocahontas Municipal Airport,2023-01-27,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Visits Pocahontas Municipal Airport 1/27/2023 sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/01/pocahontas-airport-meeting.jpg"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2169""/> POCAHONTAS – Last week, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) paid a visit to the Pocahontas Municipal Airport to meet with local leaders, members of the Airport Commission, and the Airport Manager. One of the first topics discussed was Airport Improvement Project (AIP) funding, which has remained stagnant at $150,000 for more than 20 years. The federal grant may cover between 75 and 95 percent of the eligible costs, depending on the type of improvement and the size of the airport. Rampant inflation has put a financial crunch on airports of their size and made funding projects difficult. Other big issues facing the airport leaders are compliance costs and mis-prioritization. Due to rising inflation, the cost of building went up by almost 40 percent in just two years, with the same contractor. Randy Gilless, Airport Manager, discussed how he tapped into the state of Arkansas's surplus and reorganization to make his limited funds go further. Rep. Crawford was then asked for an update on future Interstate-57. The future I-57 project will run from Walnut Ridge to the Missouri State Line, completing a continuous freeway linking Little Rock, St. Louis, and Chicago. The benefits from this project will include increased mobility and safety, enhanced economic competitiveness regionally, and accelerated interstate commerce. The addition of a four-lane highway with full interstate designation will attract business to Northeast Arkansas as well as provide critical economic access for the region. ""The benefit in economic impact for communities like Pocahontas will be tremendous. While we are still years away, it has been, and will continue to be, made a priority on both the state and federal levels,"" said Crawford. The visit concluded with a discussion about recent renovations to the Airport facility: the new hangar, the runway extension project, and runway lighting upgrades. ""Investing in airports and runways means investing in local towns. Businesses are looking to expand to places like Pocahontas and Randolph County, and the Pocahontas Municipal Airport is an important asset to highlight as we invite businesses into our community,"" said Crawford. #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-votes-to-protect-national-strategic-petroleum-reserve,Rep. Crawford Votes to Protect National Strategic Petroleum Reserve,2023-01-27,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Votes to Protect National Strategic Petroleum Reserve 1/27/2023 Washington, DC – Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) voted in favor of H.R. 21, The Strategic Production Response Act. The legislation would prevent further drawdowns of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for non-emergency situations without a plan to replace oil depletions through domestic energy production. The bill is in response to the Biden Administration's recent domestic politics-driven decision to freeze federal land and offshore lease sales for oil and gas development, while releasing large amounts of oil from the SPR. ""We cannot allow our reserves to be abused in an effort to support political policies that tie the hands of American oil and gas producers and exacerbate the energy crisis,"" said Crawford. ""This legislation will preserve the SPR for its vital and central purpose—to provide the oil supplies Americans need during true emergencies. Having a healthy energy sector protects us from being at the mercy of other nations."" #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/manufacturers-concerned-over-transportation-costs-and-driver-shortage,Manufacturers Concerned over Transportation Costs and Driver Shortage,2023-01-26,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Manufacturers Concerned over Transportation Costs and Driver Shortage 1/26/2023 sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/01/IMG_7448-985x1024.jpg"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2164""/> Cabot — Concerns over inflation and the trucker shortage were top of mind in discussions between executives of Dreamline Manufacturing and Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) last week. Dreamline Manufacturing is a family-owned bedding and mattress company based in Cabot, Arkansas that ships to over 20 states. All their trucks are company-owned and the drivers are company employees trained in furniture delivery. ""The cost of our trucks has skyrocketed, just finding someone to operate it and fix it. The maintenance costs alone have also tripled,"" said Kevin Tipton, President of Dreamline. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the driver shortage is now estimated at 80,000, up from 61,000 only three years ago. Many current drivers are also aging out of the profession and there isn't currently a sufficient new generation of drivers waiting to fill these job openings. ""I think there are ways you can weave in apprenticeships, team driving, or any other number of options to integrate a younger driver into the system,"" said Crawford. ""It's pretty obtuse to think that we allow 18-year-olds to go into war and drive military vehicles, but we can't hire them to drive a semi-truck from here to there."" Rep. Crawford was a long-time supporter of the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act, or the DRIVE Safe Act. The legislation, which was signed into law last year, allows a pathway for drivers under the age of 21 to drive trucks across state lines by creating a two-step apprenticeship program. While 49 states permit 18-year-olds to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), federal law has prevented them from driving trucks across state lines. ""An 18-year-old can drive from Texarkana [AR] to West Memphis legally but they can't cross over the bridge,"" explained State Representative Brian Evans. Tipton is also a member of the Cabot School Board and invited Crawford to come back to visit their Career Technical Education program to which the Congressman agreed. Crawford represents the First District of Arkansas, which runs from Boone County through Mississippi County as well as down the eastern part of the state. He is a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has served in the U.S House since 2011. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-announces-annual-congressional-app-challenge-winner,Rep. Crawford Announces Annual Congressional App Challenge Winner,2023-01-23,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Announces Annual Congressional App Challenge Winner 1/23/2023 sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/01/IMG-7460-1024x930.jpg"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2159""/> Cabot — William Rownd, a 10th grader at Cabot High School, took first place in the annual Congressional App Challenge (CAC) hosted by Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01). The CAC is a smart device app competition for students in 9th – 12th grades in the First District of Arkansas and judged by local STEM educators. The competition was created in 2013 with the goal of fostering STEM and computer-based skills which are essential for economic growth and innovation. Rownd's winning app, titled ""Rx Advisor,"" is a medication reminder app that uses revolutionary technology to allow for ease of use along with drug-to-drug interaction warnings. He developed the app to assist the increasing number of people who take numerous medications on a regular basis and have an increased risk of adverse drug interactions. ""The idea took place while I was on a road trip,"" said Rownd. ""The Congressional App Challenge was brought up and so we started spit-balling ideas and that's when a medication reminder app came up. From there we thought ‘how can we take the other medication apps that are already out on the market and make them better?'"" Rep. Crawford attended a small ceremony on Friday to congratulate Rownd and acknowledge the hard work and creativity that went into the development of the app. ""Many inventions like this are designed to answer the inventor's wishes. From what I can tell about William, this app is all about helping others."" said Rep. Crawford. ""He has a bright future, and may improve the lives of many others along the way."" As the winner, William will be invited to attend the #HouseOfCode reception in Washington, D.C. this spring with other Congressional App Challenge winners from around the country. His app will be displayed with the winners on the official CAC website: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/ The first runner up in this year's CAC is a team from Cross County High School, under the instruction of Jason Blake. The team members are Bo Cook, Macie McCommon, Konnor Wilson, and Jenna Organ. The EAST program at Cross County High School is an award-winning program with advanced learning opportunities for students. Their app was titled Village Creek Hiking Trails, which consisted of a 360 degree guided virtual tour of the over 33 miles of hiking trails found at Village Creek State Park in Wynne, Arkansas. #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-recognizes-human-trafficking-awareness-month-urges-public-to-be-alert,"Rep. Crawford Recognizes Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Urges Public to be Alert",2023-01-20,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"1/20/2023 JONESBORO – January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Federal law enforcement has received more than 900 tips about possible human trafficking in Arkansas since 2007. From those tips, 557 cases of human trafficking were uncovered involving nearly 1,500 victims. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, people who suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking should consider the following questions: Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship? Has a child stopped attending school? Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior? Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts? Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse? Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing? Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive? Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care? Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to? Does the person appear to be coached on what to say? Is the person living in unsuitable conditions? Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation? Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures? The Human Trafficking Hotline is common at truck stops through commercial sex and through fake massage businesses. With major interstates running through the First Congressional District of Arkansas, it's important for AR-01 residents to be alert to potential victims. ""Human trafficking continues to cause devastation in our backyards and forces the young and vulnerable into modern day slavery,"" Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) said. ""We must be vigilant to the signs that someone is a victim and do everything we can to get them help and a way out. If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, I urge you to call Federal law enforcement at (866) 347-2423. Don't be silent. Your call could save a life."" Crawford, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, voted for the following bills signed into law in the 117th Congress: S.3470 – End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022. H.R.7132 – Safe Connections Act of 2022; and S.3103 – Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2022. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/lawrence-county-farmers-bend-congressman-s-ear,Lawrence County Farmers Bend Congressman’s Ear,2023-01-19,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Lawrence County Farmers Bend Congressman's Ear 1/19/2023 sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/01/rc-lawrence-county-farm-bureau-breakfast-1024x498.jpg"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2148""/> Walnut Ridge — Crop insurance, input costs, and Risk Management Agency (RMA) standards were the top concerns among farmers at the Lawrence County Farm Bureau breakfast on Thursday. Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) attended the breakfast as part of his listening tour as Congress prepares to write a new Farm Bill, which is federal legislation that sets policies for vital farm programs and is renewed every 5 years. Lawrence County Farm Bureau President Jeff Worlow kicked off the meeting with questions about RMA's recent decision to redesignate 20,000 acres located in five counties in Northeast Arkansas as high-risk. In addition to Lawrence County, farmers in Craighead, Greene, Jackson, and Randolph face significant crop insurance rate increases. With a February 28th deadline looming for crop insurance enrollment, farmers that participate in the program are growing increasingly anxious. ""This is very reminiscent of how FEMA draws their flood maps and often forces people to purchase flood insurance that they might not necessarily need. It feels as though this is a way to generate more revenue for their agency,"" said Crawford. ""I also haven't seen any reasoning for this increase and have directed staff reach out for more information on this sudden change."" ""What bothers me is the chance that these crop insurance rates will continue to go up and farmers can't participate in crop insurance because it becomes totally unhelpful to them. This means that the entire crop insurance portion of the Farm Bill becomes cut off,"" said Farm Bureau member, Greg Baltz. The rising input costs on farms was also a topic of conversation. In this past year, fuel and fertilizer costs reached historic highs, both of which farmers rely on to grow and harvest their crops. Producers are paying 115 percent more for diesel and fertilizer spiked 125 percent. Last year, Rep. Crawford co-sponsored the Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Domestic Production Act and joined over 100 of his Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden outlining policy changes that could lower these costs. ""Crop insurance has to morph into something different to allow us to compete with higher input costs. My expenses this past year compared to the last 3 years is awful and there is no coming down from that,"" said one member. ""One of the problems with input costs is that we have outsourced input production such as fertilizer. When you put 50 percent of chemical fertilizer in the hands of foreign entities, don't be surprised when they start manipulating and doing things that increase costs to farms,"" said Crawford. ""Everything I hear from you guys I weave into my work legislatively so these conversations are incredibly useful and vital to the job of advocating for my district in Washington,"" Crawford concluded. Crawford represents the First District of Arkansas, which runs from Boone County through Mississippi County as well as down the eastern part of the state. He is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and has served in the U.S House since 2011. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-visits-blytheville-gosnell-regional-airport-authority,Rep. Crawford Visits Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority,2023-01-13,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Visits Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority 1/13/2023 sites/evo-subsites/crawford.house.gov/files/migrated/uploads/2023/01/airport-meeting.jpg"" alt="""" class=""wp-image-2140""/> Blytheville — Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) visited the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport to meet with board members. The airport is a former Cold War air force base and home to the largest runway in Arkansas, which measures 11,600 feet long. Since the airport is so large, it is able to accommodate National Guard operations and larger planes needed for military training operations. It also has partnerships with private companies as well. However, the airport has been in a back and forth with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over help with funding for maintenance of the runway. ""My biggest concern would be losing our appeal to businesses in the area or being forced to remove runway length,"" said Billy Curl, a member on both the airport and Cold War center boards. Without funding from the FAA, the airport would be forced to make the decision to either shorten the runway or pay out of pocket to maintain the record long concrete path. Both options would be very costly and could hinder the operations of the airport. ""Most recently, the FAA has said that we won't need to shorten the runway but we are going to designate the number of 7,500 feet and they will fund that portion. This is an agreement that we can live with but we also haven't seen anything in writing,"" said Barrett Harrison, the airport president. ""The FAA has been occupied conducting an investigation into their recent system failure which may delay a resolution to this. If you feel like it's not being resolved in a suitable timeframe please let me know and keep me updated,"" Crawford told officials. Another topic that came up was the National Cold War Center, which is a museum also located in a portion of the Blytheville-Gosnell airport that was once a facility used by the Eaker Air Force Base for Cold War operations. The museum has been trying to get federal designation as the National Cold War Center. Rep. Crawford introduced legislation last congress which would get them the title if passed but the bill has not come up for a vote on the House floor. ""The designation would really give the work we do at the museum more credibility,"" said Harrison. The Eaker base was created in 1942 as a World War II training center but later became an alert center in the middle of the Cold War. It became inactive in 1991 and opened as a museum. The museum focuses on the 45 years in American history where nuclear threats were real and teams needed to be able to respond quickly. ""As a Cold War veteran I can say it was a pivotal time in American history where the threats were tremendous but we were all equally united in calling out our enemies. It's vital that we keep alive the memory of those who were prepared to fight against the expansion of communism and lived under constant threat of nuclear obliteration,"" added Crawford. Crawford represents the First District of Arkansas, which runs from Searcy County through Mississippi County as well as down the eastern part of the state. He is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and has served in the U.S House since 2011. ####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-inauguration-of-governor-sanders,Rep. Crawford Statement on Inauguration of Governor Sanders,2023-01-10,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on Inauguration of Governor Sanders 1/10/2023 Washington, DC – Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was sworn into office: ""Congratulations to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on being sworn into office today as the 47th governor of Arkansas and making history as the first female governor of the Natural State. I look forward to seeing her lead, and working with her on our shared goals, which include improving the quality of life for Arkansans and ensuring that our state is an attractive place for our children and grandchildren to raise their families. She has big shoes to fill, as Governor Asa Hutchinson worked hard to strengthen our great state over the past 8 years."" #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-mccarthy-winning-speaker-s-race,Rep. Crawford Statement on McCarthy Winning Speaker’s Race,2023-01-07,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on McCarthy Winning Speaker's Race 1/7/2023 Washington, DC – Today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after Rep. McCarthy won his election for Speaker: ""I'm pleased that we have officially elected Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker for the 118th Congress. I can think of no one who has fought harder for the success and priorities of House Republicans these past two years. Speaker McCarthy has a plan that our conference can unite around. It's time to get to work on behalf of the American people and secure our border, tackle inflation, and finally hold the Biden administration accountable for their failures."" #####",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-remains-committed-supporting-kevin-mccarthy-speaker,Westerman Remains Committed to Supporting Kevin McCarthy for Speaker,2023-01-03,2023,2023-01,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives took a series of votes to elect the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The House recessed until January 4th without choosing a Speaker. Representative Westerman issued the following statement in response: ""While I am frustrated that the House could not agree on a choice for Speaker today, we are working through this process in good faith. This is not the first time the House Speaker’s race has gone through multiple ballots, and I'm sure it won't be the last either. Choosing who is third in line to the Presidency is critical, and the process we go through to make that choice should be serious and deliberate. As the House continues our process tomorrow, I hope my colleagues will see that supporting Kevin McCarthy gives the American people the greatest opportunity for success in the next two years. He is committed to moving us forward under a conservative vision that prioritizes American security, energy independence, and economic growth. Arkansas's Fourth District families have placed their trust in me, and I want to get to work for them now."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z