Media

Some people say we're products of our environment. I only hope that's true for me. I've been blessed to spend my whole life here in the Natural State, hunting, fishing and enjoying the beauty of our wildlife. Since June is National Great Outdoors Month, I encourage you to use this time to explore new parks, lakes or hiking trails with friends and family.

Regulations and safety precautions surrounding COVID-19 had a dramatic impact on the U.S. economy. Millions of Americans lost their jobs, and Arkansan small businesses had to quickly adjust to reduced hours, curbside pickup or delivery services and a smaller workforce. Now, as states reopen, we are all watching to see what happens next.

Millions of small businesses across America have been impacted by COVID-19, and Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to assist them through the crisis. As of May 23, 40,329 Arkansas businesses had received a total of $3,286,789,662 in PPP funds. These businesses have been able to use the forgivable loans to maintain payroll, cover operating expenses and more.

We are blessed to live in a free country, but that freedom doesn't come without a price. Every year, Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to remember our fallen heroes and reflect on all that they sacrificed for our country. While many of us can't gather in person this year, that shouldn't stop us from taking time to honor the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

When COVID-19 first began to spread, I don't think any of us could have predicted just how catastrophic it would become. After more than two months of shelter in place protocols, almost 40 million Americans have lost their jobs and don't know what the future holds. As a member of Congress, I believe it is my duty to lead by example, and that's why it's high time for Congress to get back to work.

With all eyes focused on COVID-19 relief efforts, it's easy to lose sight of others in our health care system, those with chronic illnesses or underlying medical issues. One particular group in need of assistance is veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War and are suffering from severe illnesses as a result. Even as we seek to repair the flaws in our medical system and protect Americans against the spread of COVID-19, we must not forget about the men and women who served our country and yet can't get the benefits they need.