Weekly Columns

As wildfires burn across the West, many Americans have lost their loved ones, their homes and all their possessions. My prayers are with everyone who has been displaced or who is heroically fighting the fires, and I hope these blazes are quickly contained. Unfortunately, fires like this have become so common that we refer to this time of year as "wildfire season." I don't think we just have to accept this as the new normal. In all my years as a forester, I've seen firsthand that scientific forest management works.

When COVID-19 hit the U.S. early this year, about one-third of Americans began working from home to limit contact with others and slow the spread of the virus. However, many people still had to keep their businesses operating in order to keep essential infrastructure in place. Because of their work, we could consistently rely on stocked grocery store shelves and a functioning supply chain.

With more and more people headed back to schools, universities and workplaces, we need a comprehensive plan to mitigate COVID-19 more than ever. In fact, we already have the technology for widespread, at-home testing. Why is it not more available?

Let's look at the background. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for COVID-19 testing in three categories:

If you turn on the news, you'll likely hear someone talking about the Post Office. Let's look at the facts. Speaker Pelosi allowed negotiations on another COVID-19 relief bill to stall in Congress, but she called a so-called "emergency session" of Congress to vote on legislation to fund the Post Office. This is nothing more than a political attempt to capitalize on fears that the USPS is somehow in crisis.

Many businesses are still operating at limited capacity, with fewer staff or entirely remote work. In my offices, we've taken every precaution to ensure staff members' safety, but we are all still ready and able to help you with any issues you may be having with the federal government.

Arkansas is home to 2 million acres of national forest, a national park, America's very first national river and several national wildlife refuges. I've made countless memories in these and other parks across the country, which is why I was glad to see President Trump sign the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) into law on Aug. 4. This bill marks the single greatest investment into U.S. public lands since President Theodore Roosevelt.

You'll be hard pressed to read many headlines on American infrastructure, and I doubt most of us think about it on a regular basis. Yet our infrastructure is what keeps us moving, from the roads we drive to the waterways that transport goods. Without it, our economy would immediately cease to function. As we rebuild after COVID-19, a reliable infrastructure is absolutely necessary.

As a father of four and a former school board member, I understand the importance of education and its value to the community. I also understand the severity of COVID-19 and how we must take every precaution to slow its spread and keep Americans safe. With another school year quickly approaching, we are faced with a difficult question: should we reopen schools? I believe we should, and focus all our efforts on providing teachers and students with protective gear, shrinking class sizes, spreading desks apart or finding other ways to limit contact and prevent contagion.