This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of February 16, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with a look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The Senate last week continued its consideration of President Donald Trump's picks for his administration.

Senators confirmed Brooke Rollins as agriculture secretary, Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of health and human services.

Sens. John Boozman, of Rogers, and Tom Cotton, of Little Rock, joined most of their Republican colleagues in supporting the nominations.

STORY: U.S. Senate confirms Rollins as agriculture secretary; Boozman hails her as 'advocate' for farmers

STORY: Boozman, Cotton support Gabbard as national intelligence director

Two members of Arkansas' congressional delegation are backing Trump's decision to implement tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Cotton and Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., were vocal in the last Congress in pushing for more action to protect American producers from foreign goods entering the United States.

Crawford, of Jonesboro, serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus.

STORY: Cotton, Crawford voice support for Trump action on steel, aluminum

An Arkansas electricity cooperative leader testified before House members on the federal permitting process.

Buddy Hasten, president and chief executive officer of Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, told lawmakers last Tuesday that current guidance hinders efforts to ensure Americans have access to sufficient energy services.

STORY: Arkansas electricity leader calls for reviewing federal regulations with projects

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., wants the Federal Reserve to take steps to confront inflation.

Hill, of Little Rock, addressed Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell during a House Financial Services Committee hearing last Wednesday on the matter.

Hill serves as the committee's chair.

STORY: Powell “not in a hurry” to make interest rate cuts, Hill wants more done on inflation

Thanks for listening to this week's episode of "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on BlueSky for developments from the nation's capital!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of February 9, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and I'm here to provide you with a look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Multiple Arkansans appeared before the Senate and House of Representatives in hopes of providing valuable insight and influencing public policy decisions.

Farmers Nathan Reed, of Marianna, and Jennifer James, of Newport, delivered testimony to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. Senators invited these producers and others to Capitol Hill to better understand the state of the agriculture economy.

On the other side of the U.S. Capitol, Arkansas banking leaders Cathy Owen and Sussanah Marshall discussed the challenges facing local community banking with the House Financial Services Committee.

STORY: Arkansas farmers push for new farm bill in U.S. Senate hearing

STORY: Hill’s first hearing as House committee chair brings attention to community banking

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., joined congressional colleagues and White House czar David Sacks last Tuesday to launch a bicameral working group focused on passing digital asset legislation.

Boozman, of Rogers, and Hill, of Little Rock, hope the body's work can lead to Congress creating a regulatory structure for cryptocurrencies and similar items.

STORY: Boozman, Hill help launch digital assets working group

If you have been following "Arkies in the Beltway" in recent months, then you know about Arkansas' newfound sway on Capitol Hill.

Five members of Arkansas' congressional delegation are serving as committee chairs in the 119th Congress. With these assignments, the Natural State has the more influence in the halls of Congress than it has had in the past five decades.

STORY: Arkansas’ lawmakers in Washington now hold five committee leadership posts

As President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress work on implementing their policy goals, Democrats are looking to move forward following last November's election results.

Democratic leaders — including top members of the Democratic Party of Arkansas — picked Ken Martin as the new chair of the Democratic National Committee at the committee's winter meeting outside of Washington, D.C.

Arkansas' top Democratic officials backed Martin, who most recently led the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

STORY: Arkansas Democrats look ahead following DNC leadership elections

Thanks for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on BlueSky for developments from the nation's capital!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of February 2, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

As members of the U.S. House of Representatives spent time away from the nation's capital, the Senate remained busy considering President Donald Trump's picks for his administration.

Tulsi Gabbard, a former congresswoman representing Hawaii, appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee to discuss her nomination as director of national intelligence. Republican and Democratic senators pressed Gabbard on her past actions and comments, including a 2017 meeting with then-Syrian President Bashar Assad amid his country's civil war.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee. He sought answers from Gabbard regarding possible changes impacting bureaucracy within the intelligence community.

STORY: Tom Cotton hopes Tulsi Gabbard can be ally in confronting intelligence bureaucracy

Thanks for checking out this week's episode of "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on BlueSky for developments from the nation's capital!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of January 26, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Donald Trump's second presidency is underway, and the 47th president did not waste any time implementing parts of his agenda and campaign promises.

Hours after taking office, Trump signed multiple executive orders, including one action delaying a nationwide ban of the social media platform TikTok. Trump additionally issued pardons for people charged with crimes for the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

STORY: Arkansas leaders ecstatic, ready for second Trump presidency

STORY: Cotton, Crawford steadfast in wanting TikTok sale ending Chinese ties

STORY: Arkansas’ congressmen say they don’t condone Jan. 6 violence, but call to move forward after pardons

Several Arkansans traveled to Washington, D.C., to watch the inauguration ceremony. They, however, were not able to watch the inauguration from the U.S. Capitol's west side after Trump decided to move the event to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda because of cold temperatures.

STORY: Even with inauguration changes, Arkansans enjoy time in nation’s capital

Two of Arkansas' federal lawmakers marked career milestones when they presided over committees as chairs for the first time.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee welcomed Brooke Rollins as senators consider her nomination to serve as the next agriculture secretary.

On the other side of the U.S. Capitol, Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., and the House Financial Services Committee discussed the committee's goals for the 119th Congress.

STORY: Agriculture secretary nominee faces U.S. Senate panel as Boozman chairs first hearing

STORY: Hill chairs House committee for first time, organizes Financial Services panel

The House sent a forest management measure to the Senate for that chamber's consideration.

Reps. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., and Scott Peters, D-Calif., originally introduced the Fix Our Forests Act during the last Congress in hopes of expediting the environment review process for maintenance projects and promoting better forest resiliency.

STORY: U.S. House passes bipartisan Westerman bill on forest management

Thanks for listening to "Arkies in the Beltway!" Stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of January 19, 2025!

I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions. Regarding those Arkansans of interests, the Natural State's congressional delegation is in quite the position to administer some influence throughout this Congress.

Five Arkansans are now serving in committee chair roles after House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., elevated Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., on Thursday to the top position on the House Intelligence Committee.

Crawford, of Jonesboro, and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., are Congress' top members on intelligence-related issues. Cotton, of Little Rock, leads the Senate Intelligence Committee.

STORY: Crawford named chairman of the House Intelligence Committee

The Senate has started considering President-elect Donald Trump's choices for top administrative positions.

Cotton and Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., participated in hearings where presumptive nominees explained their goals for the new presidential administration, as well as addressed senators' questions about their positions and records.

STORY: Cotton allows Hegseth to explain stance on women in combat

STORY: Cotton chairs first Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, presses CIA director nominee on agency’s mission

STORY: Boozman calls on Trump’s EPA pick to work with USDA, consider farmers and ranchers

The House of Representatives Rules Committee will consider a bipartisan proposal from Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., on Tuesday, the Fix Our Forests Act.

Westerman, of Hot Springs, starts this year optimistic about this Congress and his second term leading the House Natural Resources Committee.

STORY: Westerman hopes to ride legislative momentum in ongoing House committee leadership

Thanks for checking out this week's episode of "Arkies in the Beltway!"

Stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on BlueSky for developments from the nation's capital!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of January 12, 2025. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

It's a new year and a new Congress.

The 119th Congress is now underway. Republicans hold majority control in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation are wielding tremendous influence at the start of this new Congress.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., now chairs the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee after four years as its ranking member.

Boozman, of Rogers, and other agriculture leaders will spend the year working on a new farm bill after the previous Congress failed to approve a new legislative package authorizing nutrition assistance, agriculture and rural development programs.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., leads the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Reps. French Hill and Bruce Westerman have top roles in Congress' lower chamber. Hill, of Little Rock, serves as chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Westerman, of Hot Springs, is continuing his tenure leading the House Natural Resources Committee.

STORY: Arkansans take lead roles on developing new farm bill as ’18 version remains in effect

Much of the attention on Capitol Hill last week focused on the legacy of Jimmy Carter.

The 39th president died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

Vice President Kamala Harris, members of Congress, Supreme Court justices and others paid their respects to Carter as his remains lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

STORY: National leaders honor Jimmy Carter as his body arrives at U.S. Capitol

Two Arkansans are seeking top positions with the Democratic National Committee.

Former congressional candidate Quintessa Hathaway is running for party chair. Chris Jones, who ran for governor in 2022, is vying for a vice chair position.

Read the full story on arkansasonline.com

Thanks for supporting "Arkies in the Beltway!" Stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on BlueSky for developments from the nation's capital!

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Dec. 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.

It was a mad dash on Capitol Hill to complete legislative work before the holidays.

The Senate and House of Representatives addressed the final priorities of the year, including a stopgap funding package preventing a government shutdown.

Part of that legislation includes $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers as the agriculture industry continues dealing with high input costs and declining net farm incomes.

STORY: Bill signed into law Saturday sets aside $10B in economic assistance for farmers

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., watched the Senate pass two of his measures, sending the bills to the White House for President Joe Biden's signature.

The Senate approved a bipartisan outdoor recreation package and legislation dedicating the Kingsland post office after country music icon Johnny Cash.

Westerman, of Hot Springs, served as lead sponsor of both measures.

STORY: U.S. Senate approves Westerman-led outdoor recreation measure

STORY: Bill to rename Kingsland post office for Johnny Cash advances to president's desk

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" The program is taking a break for the holidays, but it will return in 2025 with new episodes covering the decisions and decision-makers impacting Arkansas.

You can stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can get in touch with me on social media; I'm now posting on Bluesky.

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Dec. 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.

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., is preparing to lead an important House of Representatives committee.

The House Republican Steering Committee has recommended Hill, of Little Rock, as the next chair of the House Financial Resources Committee. A former banker, Hill has served as the committee's vice chair in the current Congress.

STORY: Hill getting ready to wield gavel for House Financial Services Committee

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., ended his bid to lead the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Crawford, of Jonesboro, launched his run for the seat in March as the committee's current chair, Missouri Republican Sam Graves, sought a waiver to bypass a House GOP rule limiting time as a committee's top Republican member.

The steering panel granted such a waiver to Graves, allowing him to pursue another two-year term holding the gavel.

STORY: Crawford bows out of House committee chair race

Arkansans are among those monitoring Syria following the collapse of Bashar Assad's regime.

The Syrian Emergency Task Force — which has an office in Little Rock — is a nonprofit organization vocal about ending the civil war and assisting Syrians impacted by the conflict.

STORY: Arkansans eager over Syria’s future following Assad’s fall

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can get in touch with me on social media; I'm now posting on Bluesky.