Weekly Columns

As we enter into August, we celebrate and welcome in National Shooting Sports Month – a time-honored tradition for many of us here in the Natural State. Many Arkansans, including myself, have grown up with a deep appreciation for shooting sports – passing this love down to our children who will undoubtedly carry the legacy on through generations.

Last week, it was a privilege to attend the Arkansas Good Roads Foundation’s annual summer meeting in Hot Springs. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, it was deeply encouraging to connect the work our committee does in Congress to the needs of our roads and infrastructure projects across the Natural State. This time spent with transportation industry stakeholders provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on the numerous accomplishments made so far within the T&I Committee.

A headlining theme for the 119th Congress has been tied to unleashing American energy dominance. So far, House Republicans have secured several wins as we press onward toward unleashing our nation’s energy potential, but we aren’t done yet. As the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and as a Representative from Arkansas – a state with an abundance of natural resources and energy potential – it is no question that American energy dominance is a major driver for the committee this Congress.

Arkansas is built on Agriculture, and there is a great amount of pride in representing a district with abundant farmland and a thriving aquaculture industry. As a foundational industry for our state, agriculture contributes over $20 billion annually to the Natural State’s economy. What’s more, almost all our state’s farms are ninety-seven percent family-owned businesses. 

There are no words to express the deep and sincere grief that our nation has endured over the last week. Homes uprooted and washed away, property damaged beyond repair, and hearts broken by the grief of the loss of a child or loved one. In the aftermath of the natural disaster which occurred in the Texas Hill Country last week, countless families and communities have experienced a tremendous and unimaginable loss that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark, and my prayers are most certainly with everyone involved.

From sea to shining sea, millions are taking this week to celebrate America the Beautiful and the opportunity and hope she has brought to her people for 249 years. We also celebrate the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s founding document, which laid the blueprint for the freedoms we enjoy today. Thomas Jefferson, one of the document’s most famous authors, said, "I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states.

Americans work hard to earn a living, and it is Congress’ duty to safeguard those resources through setting guidelines for spending, taxes, and planning each fiscal year’s federal budget. Throughout appropriations season, the twelve subcommittees on the House Appropriations Committee hold hearings to examine the budget requests and needs for federal spending in the upcoming fiscal year. Once these subcommittees pass their own crafted legislation, it heads to the House Floor for a vote.

This week marks the 200th anniversary of the only quote which rests in the House of Representatives, just above the Speaker’s rostrum, serving as a weighty reminder of the significant duties and obligations for every legislator in the House of Representatives.