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To many, forestry is simply viewed as the trees planted in someone’s backyard, shade during an outdoor activity, or nature’s greatest indicator of the changing of the seasons. But for Arkansans, forestry is a way of life. As the heart of America’s woodbasket, Arkansas is covered by 19 million acres of forestland that provides not only scenic beauty, clean air and water, wildlife habitats, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, but is also a major economic driver.

After four years of countless blows to American energy production, the Biden administration has once again proven that they have no interest in putting our country and our national security first. A midnight ruling proved that this administration has no desire to work toward American energy dominance as a ban on oil and gas production in more than 600 million acres of federal waters was announced earlier this week. 

Serving friends and neighbors across the Fourth District of Arkansas in the halls of Congress through drafting and voting on legislation is a great honor, and certainly a major role that Members of Congress play as elected officials. However, there is an equally important role to play while elected to such a position: taking care of the needs of the people represented back home in their everyday lives, through casework and other needed assistance. 

It’s impossible to enter the holiday season, and ultimately the end of the year, without pausing to reflect on the trials and triumphs throughout the past twelve months. Constituents across the Fourth District have felt the weight of increasing gas prices, grocery and electric bills, the impacts of natural disasters, and continued federal overreach. Many of you can agree that while there were definite moments of uncertainty, our nation, and the American people, charged forward with strength and a resiliency that can only be defined as the American Spirit.

Throughout the 118th Congress, it was a privilege to introduce legislation with direct impacts to Arkansas and the Fourth District. This week, it was exciting to see many of those bills pass the Senate – an early Christmas gift to AR-04!