This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Sept. 15, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

We are nearly seven weeks away from Election Day, and campaigning is in full swing, both nationally and in Arkansas.

Democratic congressional candidate Marcus Jones is criticizing U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., for using images of military awards on a campaign mailer to voters in Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District.

The flier — highlighting Hill's work addressing veterans issues — notes how the congressman's office has helped recover lost military medals for service members and their families. The mailer includes images of the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Medal of Honor, which are awarded to military members in recognition of their actions.

Jones, a retired Army colonel, called the mailer "particularly insulting to those veterans who received those gallantry awards or were wounded or killed in combat to receive a Purple Heart."

STORY: Democrat Jones accuses Hill’s campaign of ‘borrowed valor’ for mailer that showed medals

Congress does not have a clear pathway for avoiding a government shutdown at month's end.

The House of Representatives was supposed to vote last Wednesday on a six-month continuing resolution with attached language addressing voting in federal elections, but Republican leadership pulled the measure hours before the scheduled vote.

The Senate and House must approve a spending plan by Sept. 30 to continue funding government operations into the new fiscal year.

STORY: Arkansas’ U.S. House members ponder funding options as Sept. 30 deadline approaches

Members of the House Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee highlighted the importance of the United States' relationships with three Pacific island nations during a recent oversight hearing.

Congress and President Joe Biden approved furthering the United States' partnerships with these nations — including the Marshall Islands — back in March.

STORY: U.S. House subcommittee hearing emphasizes agreements with Marshall Islands, other Pacific island nations

Thank you for listening to this week's "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can track what's happening in the nation's capital by following me on social media; my handle across all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Sept. 8, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives return to Capitol Hill on Monday, bringing an end to their month-long August recess period.

Lawmakers will arrive in Washington, D.C., aware Congress must pass an appropriations plan and address the current farm bill before month's end.

As it concerns appropriations, Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., secured language in one of the Senate appropriations measures calling on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to hold listening sessions on a proposed rule affecting emergency personnel.

OSHA projects the proposal will cost public volunteer fire departments across the country more than $14,000 annually if the rule goes into place.

STORY: Boozman meets with firefighters in Sebastian County about proposed OSHA rule

Meanwhile, the trucking industry is watching how the House considers its remaining seven appropriations measures, specifically one bill's provision supporting $200 million in truck parking projects.

The language is a response to a nationwide issue of truck drivers not having available parking when they are done driving for the day.

STORY: Womack-led appropriations measure puts aside millions for truck parking

Thank you for listening to this week's "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can track what's happening in the nation's capital by following me on social media; my handle across all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Sept. 1, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., have introduced bipartisan legislation supporting research on smartphone use in schools. The Focus on Learning Act calls on the federal Department of Education to study how these devices impact academic achievement and students' mental health.

The two measures come amid interest nationwide and in the Natural State to restrict smartphone access among students. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and state Education Secretary Jacob Oliva are pushing a pilot program to provide school districts with pouches so students may store their phones during the school day.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., spent part of last week in Texas. Part of his trip involved the next farm bill and necessary language concerning agriculture production.

Boozman, of Rogers, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, participated in an agriculture roundtable, during which the senators emphasized the importance of putting "more farm" in the next legislative package. The current farm bill is set to expire in September.

STORY: Boozman stresses farm protections in Texas agriculture roundtable

Thank you for listening to this week's "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can track what's happening in the nation's capital by following me on social media; my handle across all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.