Weekly Columns

Nearly 250 years ago, our great nation was born. The decades that came before it were measured by a people whose spirit yearned for freedom from tyranny and the right to self-determination. We were founded by a people whose grit was equally matched by their hope for a new, free nation. But we all know how the story goes, and our freedom wasn’t easily won. It was fought for, and has since been, maintained by men and women who have taken on the duty of preserving our liberty. This week, we reflect on their service and thank them for their sacrifice.

The rural landscape that makes up a large portion of the Fourth District of Arkansas is a hallmark of our great state. From the beautiful hills of the Ozarks to the Arkansas River Valley to the forests and farmlands in the south you will be hard-pressed to find a corner of the Natural State that is not worth a visit. However, the beauty of these areas comes with a cost, creating distinct challenges for our rural communities when accessing urban areas and vital resources like health care.

The deadline is fast approaching for Congress to reauthorize surface transportation legislation, with the current bill expiring on September 30, 2026. Regular, continued reauthorization of our nation’s surface transportation programs is integral to maintaining the safety and integrity of our local infrastructure. Without essential repairs and improvements, our roadways and bridges will continue to take on more wear and tear, leading to major issues down the road.

Serving as the only licensed forester in Congress provides many unique opportunities to work on legislation that brings a commonsense and conservative approach to forest management across the nation. Additionally, it is a great privilege to serve as the Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources. In this committee, the stewardship of our public lands remains a top priority for all its members, and this week, great steps were made to push our committee’s Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) closer to the finish line and the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Dyslexia may be the most common learning disability, but it unfortunately remains misunderstood in many parts of the country. This learning disability should never be a roadblock for students’ success in the classroom; however, the lack of public awareness further hinders early diagnoses, preventing our students from receiving the tools they need to succeed early in their educational journey.

Providing timely, effective assistance to the folks across the Fourth District of Arkansas dealing with federal agencies is a central duty of serving as a representative in Congress. Although the federal government may be shut down, my offices in Washington, DC, and across Arkansas remain open and ready to assist. 

Traveling across our great state to connect with the hardworking Arkansans who contribute to powering our economy is one of the greatest privileges of representing the Fourth District in Congress. The ability to have hands-on, engaging conversations with constituents not only allows me to understand how I can better serve them in Congress, but also serves as a reminder that Arkansas’ greatest strength is the grit and dedication of its people.

Some say it's hard to see the forest for the trees. But Arkansans see the forest and its potential – materials to build homes, a bioenergy resource, and an industry that employs thousands of Arkansans, sustaining families across the Natural State. Serving as an engineer and forester in Congress, it is a privilege to represent a district and state where forestry is a time-honored way of life and advocate for policies that affect an industry with profound impacts on the Natural State.