Weekly Columns

If you've ever spent time around me, you'll know it's no secret that I love talking about trees. I still remember conversations with my Sunday school teacher, Mr. Culpepper, a WWII veteran and member of the first forestry class at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He's the one who ignited my love of forestry, and I've been thinking about him a lot lately as I've written the Trillion Trees Act. What Mr. Culpepper – or anyone who remembers their eighth-grade biology class – would tell you is that trees are some of the most powerful carbon capture devices we have.

The U.S. Constitution requires that the president give a State of the Union address "from time to time," in order to inform the American people on national matters. This address has become an annual tradition, and it's always a big night on Capitol Hill as we hear directly from the president on the year behind us and what's to come.

Trade with international allies is the backbone of the American economy. Importing and exporting goods and services not only sustains millions of American jobs, but it also provides the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive and much more. Two of our most important trading partners are our neighbors to the north and south, Canada and Mexico. That's why the United States, Mexico and Canada Agreement (USMCA) is such a boost for American manufacturing and agriculture.

One of the most basic human rights is the right to life. It's the first right the Founding Fathers outlined in the Declaration of Independence, and it's a right men and women have fought to protect for generations. But sadly, we continue seeing many deny this right to life to millions of unborn children in America. I am and always will be pro-life, because I believe everyone deserves this fundamental, God-given right.

As the country with the second-largest GDP in the world, China continues its rise as a significant player on the global stage. Previous administrations have attempted to get China to come to the negotiating table and sign a deal, but only came to verbal agreements, which were quickly broken. Now, President Trump has put Phase 1 of a trade deal with China into place.

Phase 1 of this new trade deal between the United States and China will lift trade barriers and boost Arkansas' economy, specifically Arkansas' agriculture and manufacturing industries.

If you've lived in rural Arkansas for any length of time, you know that broadband connectivity is a huge issue. Something as simple as uploading a resume to a job posting or researching for a time-sensitive project can quickly be delayed by a spotty internet connection. Communities are becoming more reliant on internet connectivity by the day, which further increases the divide between rural and heavily populated areas.

With a national election on the horizon and geopolitical issues at play, there's no doubt 2020 will be an interesting year. But now that 2019 is over and I'm planning out the new year, I'm really looking forward to what's in store.

My priority this year is remaining available to Fourth District residents to answer questions, give Capitol tours and meet with you in both D.C. and in Arkansas. If you and your family are planning on taking a trip to D.C. sometime in the coming year, give my office a call at (202) 225-3772 so we can help with your visit.

It's hard to believe 2019 is almost over. This year has been filled from beginning to end with constituent meetings, legislation, House votes, Arkansas business tours and lots of time in the Atlanta airport waiting for my connecting flight to D.C. I think the numbers speak for themselves: in 2019, my office mailed out 212,320 letters to constituents, opened 826 new casework files, held 58 mobile offices around the Fourth District, gave 152 U.S. Capitol tours and visited more than 37 local Arkansas businesses. I also sponsored or cosponsored 140 bills in the House.