This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Oct. 27, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing these conversations.

We conclude our series covering Arkansas' four congressional races by looking at the 4th Congressional District contest. U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., has served on Capitol Hill since January 2015. Democrat Risie Howard of Pine Bluff is challenging the Hot Springs incumbent for the seat.

STORY: Westerman, Howard face off in 4th Congressional District contest

Thank you for checking out this week's episode of "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.

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Oct. 20, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing these conversations.

This week's episode is the third part of our series covering Arkansas' four congressional races in this fall's general election. We're looking at the contest in the Natural State's 3rd Congressional District; Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., is seeking an eighth term on Capitol Hill as Democrat Caitlin Draper and Libertarian Bobby Wilson put forward their own challenges to the incumbent.

STORY: Womack faces Democratic, Libertarian challengers in 3rd District race

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 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 Oct. 13, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing these conversations.

We continue our month-long series on Arkansas' four congressional races by looking at the 2nd District contest between Republican incumbent Rep. French Hill and Democratic challenger Marcus Jones.

Hill, of Little Rock, is running for re-election with nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill. As for Jones, also of Little Rock, he entered the contest last October after 29 years with the military.

STORY: Hill, Jones work on selling experience in 2nd District contest

Thank you for checking out this week's edition of "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 Oct. 6, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing these conversations.

Election Day is less than a month away, and Arkansans will have many candidates to consider for local, state and federal offices.

During October, "Arkies in the Beltway" will look at the contests for Arkansas’ congressional districts, hearing from the candidates as they explain why they are best suited to represent the Natural State on Capitol Hill.

We start this series, appropriately enough, with Arkansas' 1st Congressional District; incumbent Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., is facing challenges from Democrat Rodney Govens and Libertarian Steve Parsons.

STORY: Crawford faces 2 challengers in 1st District U.S. House election

Thank you for checking out this week's edition of "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. 29, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at the Arkansans influencing the national political discussions.

The "Man in Black" is now in bronze.

Arkansans joined congressional leaders, Arkansas lawmakers and members of Johnny Cash's family on Capitol Hill last Tuesday for a ceremony unveiling a statue of the Arkansas native on Capitol Hill.

Cash is the first musician to be recognized with a sculpture in the National Statuary Hall collection.

The ceremony completes a multi-year effort to install new statues of Arkansans at the U.S. Capitol; officials unveiled a sculpture honoring civil rights leader Daisy Bates in May.

STORY: Musician, Arkansas legend Johnny Cash recognized with U.S. Capitol statue

The Senate and House of Representatives have started their October recess.

Members of both chambers left Capitol Hill last week after passing a continuing resolution funding the federal government through Dec. 20.

When lawmakers return to Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12, they will have five weeks of legislative business to complete any lingering work before the new Congress begins its first legislative session in January.

STORY: Arkansas’ federal lawmakers weigh in on temporary government funding, preview post-election budget fight

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. 22, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The main focus on Capitol Hill this week — at least, when it comes to legislative business — will be lawmakers' ability to prevent a government shutdown at month's end.

The House of Representatives rejected a proposal last week to maintain funding until late March. House Republicans coupled that language with legislation requiring citizens to present some form of identification to register to vote in federal elections.

All four of Arkansas' House members supported the measure.

STORY: Arkansas’ U.S. House members back failed spending plan

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., wants colleagues to take action to protect agriculture producers.

As Congress remains unable to pass a new farm bill, Boozman, of Rogers, says farmers need access to financial assistance amid increasing input costs, high interest rates and market prices not keeping up with expenses.

STORY: Boozman urges action on farm bill, farmer assistance with rising financial pressure

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders generated controversy last week over remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris.

A Sanders spokesperson said Sanders' comments during a town hall with former President Donald Trump — during which Sanders said Harris "doesn't have anything keeping her humble" — were not an attack on the vice president for not having biological children.

STORY: Sanders camp says Harris jab was a reference to policies

Arkansans are excited for Tuesday's ceremony on Capitol Hill unveiling a statue of Johnny Cash.

The bronze Cash statue is the second statue of an Arkansan to be installed on Capitol Hill this year; a similar sculpture of civil rights leader Daisy Bates was unveiled to the public in May.

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

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. 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.