In the News
The first big jobs announcement for Gov. Asa Hutchinson took place Friday (Jan. 23) in Clarksville. It is there that HanesBrands is adding 120 jobs as part of a $1.4 million investment in the building and equipment that brings manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
WASHINGTON — With tens of thousands participating in the annual March for Life on Thursday, House Republican leaders had hoped to send a strong signal of pro-life support by adopting a 20-week abortion ban similar to one already on the books in Arkansas. That didn't happen.
The bill was shelved — because of concerns raised within the GOP caucus — and instead the House took up a bill to permanently bar federal funds for any abortion coverage. The bill, which would also block tax credits for many buying abortion coverage under the Affordable Care Act, was approved, 242-179.
WASHINGTON -- Several members of Arkansas' congressional delegation said Tuesday that President Barack Obama promised a vision for the country in his State of the Union speech that they had heard before.
Obama's speech largely focused on the middle class while touching on infrastructure, civil rights, immigration, cybersecurity and foreign policy.
A speech by President Obama Tuesday night didn't change any opinions from Arkansas all-GOP delegation, all of whom said the nation's chief executive offered little to persuade them to support his proposals.
Obama gave his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress before a nationwide audience. In the 6,600 word speech, Obama talked about a series of issues including the economy, foreign policy and politics.
WASHINGTON — With the nation no longer in a "vicious recession," President Barack Obama called for major tax changes for the benefit of middle class families struggling with stagnant wages as they try to put their children through college and save for retirement.
"At this moment — with a growing economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, and booming energy production – we have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth. It's now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next 15 years, and for decades to come," Obama said.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said at the March for Life on Sunday that he supported anti-abortion initiatives, and he called for a reversal of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
The approximately 2,800 abortion opponents gathered at the steps of the state Capitol also heard words of support from U.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton and U.S. Reps. Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-District 4, returned to Hot Springs Saturday to visit his new office located in the Hot Springs National Park headquarters building, 101 Reserve St.
Having grown up in Hot Springs and seeing things that have happened downtown with the Majestic Hotel fire and the emphasis to revitalize downtown, Westerman said he approached park Superintendent Josie Fernandez several months before the election to see if there was office space available on Bathhouse Row.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of the 4th District was selected for the House Natural Resources Committee's subcommittees on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations and on Oversight and Investigations. He was also appointed vice chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology's Subcommittee on Environment.
Westerman gave his first speech on the House floor Wednesday, speaking against government overreach.
WASHINGTON -- The House ignored veto threats by President Barack Obama on two fronts Wednesday, voting to undo major provisions of the administration's immigration policy and to roll back banking constraints enacted after the 2008 financial crisis.
Both measures face an uncertain path in the Senate, even with Republicans in control of the chamber, because the GOP is six votes shy of the 60-vote majority needed to advance most legislation in the chamber.