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.

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of August 25, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at the Arkansans influencing our national political discussions.

As Democrats from across the country converged in Chicago last week for the Democratic National Convention, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette spent time following the Arkansas delegation in the Windy City as they joined other Democrats to formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's presidential nominee.

On this week's "Arkies in the Beltway," we take a look at the energy surrounding Harris' presidential campaign, as well as the Arkansans looking to build the Democratic Party's statewide and nationwide outreach.

STORY: Former Secretary Clinton addresses Democratic National Committee as convention gets underway

STORY: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders calls on Democrats to do more in Arkansas, other Republican-led states

STORY: Arkansas Democrats’ 2022 gubernatorial nominee pushing party to reach out to rural America

STORY: Bill Clinton calls Harris ‘president of joy,’ says Trump ‘creates chaos’

STORY: Arkansas Democrats eager to return to state energized from national convention

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also 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 August 18, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Democrats from across the country are converging in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention.

The event completes a month of changes to the Democratic Party's presidential ticket, with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the torch from President Joe Biden and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joining the Harris campaign as the party's vice presidential nominee.

Arkansas Democrats are arriving in Chicago enthusiastic about Harris, believing she will put forward a campaign capable of defeating former President Donald Trump in November.

Check Sunday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette for the full story.

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also 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 August 11, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Arkansas Democrats are ecstatic about Vice President Kamala Harris' choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Harris named Walz to the Democratic presidential ticket last Tuesday, with the vice president and Democrats across the country now working to build momentum ahead of this fall's election.

Walz, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, is currently in the middle of his second term as governor.

STORY: Arkansas Democrats ecstatic about Harris’ running mate pick; Republicans criticize Walz' record

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., is helping lead a bipartisan effort addressing the current system used by Medicare for reimbursing doctors.

Boozman and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., introduced the Physician Fee Stabilization Act before the Senate began its August recess. The legislation would update the current fee schedule and prevent future reductions in payments to physicians.

STORY: Boozman helping lead charge addressing Medicare payments

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation are hopeful about securing millions of dollars for projects in Arkansas.

The lawmakers submitted funding requests to the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees to support projects across the Natural State ranging from interstate construction to work at the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs.

Check Monday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette for the full story

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

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of August 4, 2024! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing these discussions.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., had an opportunity to present Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe with questions surrounding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the agency's shortcomings in protecting the former president and attendees of a July 13 rally in Pennsylvania.

Cotton, of Little Rock, participated in a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees last Tuesday, in which senators examined the shooting. Cotton serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

STORY: Cotton questions Secret Service’s acting chief on agency protocol after Trump assassination attempt

The Senate approved the nomination of Arkansas' adjutant general as the next director of the U.S. Army National Guard.

The Senate confirmed Jonathan Stubbs to the role, as well as a promotion from major general to lieutenant general.

STORY: U.S. Senate approves Arkansas adjutant general as director of U.S. Army National Guard

The Senate also concurred with the House of Representatives regarding a date for the public unveiling of the Johnny Cash statue at the U.S. Capitol.

The statue will officially become part of the National Statuary Hall Collection on Sept. 24. Arkansas currently has one statue part of this collection; Arkansans joined state and federal leaders on Capitol Hill in May to celebrate the installation of a statue recognizing civil rights leader Daisy Bates.

STORY: U.S. Senate approves Sept. 24 for unveiling of Cash statue

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., has added more stories to the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. Boozman, of Rogers, and his office have submitted 104 narratives of Arkansas veterans to the collection thus far, with the submissions highlighting these individuals' experiences serving in the armed forces.

Check Moday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette for the full story,

Thank you for supporting "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also 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 July 28, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Arkansas' delegation for this year's Democratic National Convention did not waste any time backing Vice President Kamala Harris as their party's presidential nominee.

Delegates voted unanimously to support Harris, who is expected to lead the Democratic Party's presidential ticket following President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the race. Harris has received overwhelming national support in the days following Biden's move, setting herself up to become the party's pick to face former President Donald Trump in November.

STORY: Arkansas delegation for 2024 Democratic National Convention endorses Harris in presidential race

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation spoke highly of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his address during a joint meeting of Congress.

Netanyahu's appearance on Capitol Hill was met with protests outside the U.S. Capitol as Israel continues to face questions regarding its tactics amid its war against Hamas.

STORY: Arkansas lawmakers celebrate Netanyahu following Capitol Hill address

We have an idea when the statue of Johnny Cash will be unveiled on Capitol Hill.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a concurrent resolution last week authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an unveiling ceremony. The resolution notes Sept. 24 as the date for the event.

STORY: U.S. House approves Sept. 24 for ceremony unveiling Cash statue

The Senate and House will spend the month of August away from Capitol Hill for Congress' annual August recess.

When lawmakers return to Washington, D.C., they will not have much time to address their end-of-year to-do list and complete their legislative tasks for the year.

One important item in need of congressional action: a new version of the Water Resources Development Act, which authorizes projects under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as research on water resources and ecosystems.

Check out this story in Monday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette.

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