Weekly Columns
Generations of Americans remember where they were on September 11th, 2001, a day our nation changed forever. I was driving to a meeting in Gurdon and listening to the radio when I heard the news that we were under attack. When I arrived at the meeting, attended by Americans from all over, including New York City, we watched the TV in disbelief and horror as the events unfolded. It’s been 22 years since that tragic day.
Free and fair elections are fundamental to our system of government. Americans should be able to cast their ballot with complete confidence that their vote counts and that our elections are transparent and a model for democracy around the world.
In yet another attack on sportsmen and women, the Biden Administration recently confirmed that the Department of Education is withholding funding from schools with shooting sports activities in their curriculum.
Every day, more and more deadly drugs and criminals are flying over our southern border and into our communities. In June alone, over 2,000 pounds of deadly fentanyl were seized at our southern border – enough to kill the entire state of Arkansas 150 times (over 453 million people). Just imagine how much is making it across under our noses.
Arkansans are no strangers to the summer heat, especially in southern Arkansas, where high humidity levels and heat index values of 105+ have become the norm this summer. Trying to beat the summer heat is no joke, and when coupled with record-high gas and grocery prices, Arkansans may be forced to cut corners to afford to stay cool.
In the 4th District, we are fortunate to have numerous small and medium-sized airfields that serve Arkansans and visitors from across the country, and we are home to a robust agricultural aviation industry. As such, Congress must make timely and strategic investments that will bolster our aviation capabilities.
A few years ago, I met a young lady named Sara Kruzan, who shared her story as a child sex trafficking victim. At only 11 years old, Sara was groomed for a life of sex slavery by a man she trusted. At 13, Sara's abuser forced her into sex work. After years of abuse at the hands of her trafficker, she escaped and later returned to retaliate against her abuser – killing him in the process.
Some of my earliest and favorite memories are on top of a mountain hunting or on a lake fishing in Arkansas with my family and friends. I know I am not alone in that. Hunting and fishing are two of the oldest and most valued pastimes for millions of Americans.
This week, the House voted on the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to continue supporting our military and defense capabilities in Fiscal Year 2024. Since 1961, Congress has worked together to pass the NDAA and maintain the U.S. as a global leader in military readiness.
This year’s NDAA delivered on many Republican priorities while saving taxpayer dollars and empowering a robust national defense by ensuring service men and women have the resources they need to protect our nation.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ushered in two significant wins for American taxpayers and students.