Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of June 8, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

A federal district court has sided with the state in a legal challenge against Arkansas' congressional map.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas issued a ruling on Friday stating opponents of the current boundaries failed to provide sufficient evidence proving state lawmakers acted with racial discrimination in their decision to split Pulaski County into three districts.

The plaintiffs claimed the division dilutes the strength of Black voters in Central Arkansas.

STORY: Federal court sides with state in congressional map dispute

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wants Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll to invest more in the Pine Bluff Arsenal.

Cotton's push occurs as the Army is undertaking a "transformation initiative," which could result in consolidating military installations across the country.

STORY: Cotton argues for expansion of Pine Bluff Arsenal; Army secretary blames ‘constraints’ for search elsewhere

Disability Rights Arkansas has started accepting new cases again after pausing this service in April.

The independent nonprofit organization had to briefly halt taking new clients because the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education had not delivered necessary grant funding.

Disability Rights Arkansas has credited the state's congressional delegation and lawmaker's push for the funding's release.

STORY: Federal agencies release grants for Disability Rights Arkansas, group resumes accepting new clients

Thank you 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!

In a change of pace from our usual coverage, this week's "Arkies in the Beltway" episode focuses away from the nation's capital. Democrats from across the country — including Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin — traveled to Little Rock last week for the State Association of Democratic Committee's annual spring meeting, during which members discussed voter outreach strategies and reflected on last year's election.

The meeting occurred four months after Martin ascended to the top position among national Democrats. Martin, who previously led Minnesota Democrats, has stressed the importance of state parties in his efforts to improve Democrats' election performance and overall image.

STORY: Democrats converge in Little Rock as state, national parties chart course for future elections

Thank you 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!

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of May 18, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Reconciliation work remained the talk of Capitol Hill as House Republicans continued to put together a plan combining spending cuts with an extension of the 2017 tax cuts.

Away from the nation's capital, a group of Arkansans celebrated President Donald Trump's plans to ease sanctions on Syria.

The United States placed sanctions on Syria amid former President Bashar Assad's atrocities against the Syrian people.

The Syrian Emergency Task Force — a nonprofit organization with offices in Washington and Little Rock — has been an instrumental force in raising awareness of Assad's actions and leading humanitarian efforts in the war-torn nation.

Members of the task force recently traveled to Damascus to meet with top Syrian officials, including interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, to discuss the country's future.

STORY: Arkansans see 'new possibilities' for Syria following U.S. plans to end sanctions

One Arkansas farmer provided senators with insight into the importance of agriculture conservation programs.

Arkansas Farm Bureau board member Brad Doyle testified before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee about these federal initiatives as farmers and other producers wait to see if Congress will approve a new Farm Bill later this year.

STORY: Arkansas agriculture leader discusses conservation funding during U.S. Senate hearing

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., watched the House of Representatives approve his latest bill to expand the Flatside Wilderness Area in Central Arkansas.

Hill, of Little Rock, has been pushing legislation to expand protections for more than nearby 2,200 acres, which would limit construction and other human activities in this space.

STORY: U.S. House approves Hill legislation expanding Flatside Wilderness

Thank you 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 May 11, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

House Republicans continue their work on Capitol Hill to finalize a budget package cutting the deficit and extending the 2017 tax cuts.

The House Natural Resources Committee — led by Arkansan Bruce Westerman — approved its portion of the proposal last week. The committee's legislation seeks to generate $18.5 billion in savings and new revenue over the next 10 years.

STORY: Westerman, U.S. House committee approves energy-focused legislation aimed at boosting production and reducing deficit

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., led the House Intelligence Committee on its release of a report assessing the FBI's investigation into the June 2017 congressional baseball shooting outside of Washington.

Crawford, of Jonesboro, and the committee determined the FBI was incorrect in its assessment of the attack being a "suicide by cop," noting the agency's own evidence showing the shooting was an act of domestic terrorism.

STORY: Crawford, House Intelligence Committee blast FBI for assessment of 2017 baseball shooting

One Arkansas farmer is seeking a chance to challenge Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., in next year's Senate race.

Hallie Shoffner has helped with managing her family's farm near Newport since 2016, but following their decision to close the operation amid a tough agricultural economy, she says she wants to help Arkansans like her who feel their voices remain unheard.

STORY: Sixth-generation Arkansas farmer plans to challenge Cotton for U.S. Senate

Thank you for listening to "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 May 4, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The Senate and House of Representatives are back in action on Capitol Hill, and some House committees did not waste any time considering their portions of the reconciliation package.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., and the House Financial Services Committee approved its section authorizing steps for reducing the deficit by $1 billion over the next 10 years.

Committee Democrats opposed the language, arguing their Republican colleagues are pushing for potentially harmful spending reductions for the sake of extending the 2017 tax law.

STORY: Hill, U.S. House committee approves portion of reconciliation plan

Disability Rights Arkansas has stopped accepting new cases amid a snafu concerning federal funding.

The organization, which provides advocacy and litigation services to Arkansans with disabilities, was supposed to receive federal grant dollars in the weeks after Congress approved its most recent continuing resolution funding the government. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education, however, have not delivered that funding.

STORY: Disability Rights Arkansas not accepting new cases, citing undelivered federal support

Warren Stephens is the new ambassador to the United Kingdom.

The Senate confirmed Stephens — a longtime investment banker and former leader of Stephens. Inc. — last Tuesday in a 59-39 vote.

STORY: U.S. Senate confirms Warren Stephens as United Kingdom ambassador

Thank you for checking out this week's "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 April 27, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Arkansas' federal delegation has asked President Donald Trump to reconsider the federal government's decisions on major disaster declaration requests in response to severe weather in mid-March.

Per the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Josh Snyder, the delegation's April 21 letter followed Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' own appeal to the president concerning requests for individual assistance and public assistance.

STORY: Arkansas’ congressional delegation urges Trump to approve major disaster declarations made by Sanders

Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives return to Capitol Hill on Monday following a two-week break.

Congressional Republicans do not have much time to waste, as they need to present policy recommendations by May 9 that meet their party's goals of spending cuts and preserving the 2017 tax breaks.

STORY: After national Republicans pass budget resolution, state’s delegates prepare to search for cuts

Thank you for supporting "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!

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of April 20, 2025! This is 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 remain away from Washington, D.C., as part of a two-week break from legislative business.

When lawmakers return to Capitol Hill at the end of the month, they will not have much time to finalize plans for meeting congressional Republicans' goals of spending reductions and preserving the 2017 tax cuts.

Senate and House committees have received instructions to finalize their recommendations by May 9, with House leaders already eyeing a vote on a reconciliation bill before the Memorial Day holiday.

Visit ArkansasOnline.com for the full story.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., had a successful first quarter of fundraising in support of his reelection effort.

Cotton, of Little Rock, ended the first three months of the year with $8.4 million in his campaign's reserves.

Cotton and other candidates for federal office submitted reports to the Federal Election Committee last week detailing their campaign's fundraising efforts and expenses through 2025 so far.

STORY: Cotton starts reelection effort with $8.4 million on hand after first quarter

Thanks for listening to "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 April 13, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate budget framework on Thursday. The blueprint calls on congressional committees to recommend actions meeting Republicans' goals of spending reductions and extending the 2017 tax breaks.

All four of Arkansas' House members backed the legislation.

Congressional Democrats have been vocal with their opposition to the framework over possible cuts to government services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid.

STORY: Disagreements over proposed SNAP changes at center of U.S. House hearing

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is now the ambassador to Israel.

The Senate confirmed Huckabee's nomination last Wednesday in a 53-46 vote.

Hours after the vote, Huckabee took the oath of office in a ceremony at the state Capitol in Little Rock.

STORY: U.S. Senate confirms Mike Huckabee as next ambassador to Israel

President Donald Trump is positioned to sign legislation overturning a Biden administration rule capping overdraft fees at banks and credit unions.

The House approved a Senate resolution nullifying a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule limiting overdraft fees to $5. The rule was supposed to take effect in October.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., in February introduced a House resolution with identical language to the Senate resolution. Hill, a former banker, chairs the House Financial Services Committee.

STORY: U.S. House votes to overturn overdraft rule; Arkansas lawmakers back nullification

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!