Weekly Wrap-Up: March 24, 2014 - March 28, 2014

Statement

House Financial Services Committee
Tuesday, the House Financial Services Committee began a series of hearings examining our spending driven debt crisis with a hearing entitled "Why Debt Matters." Debt matters because our country is on an unsustainable fiscal path that leads to fiscal ruin -- driven by irresponsible spending of money we don't have. If we continue on this path, our grandchildren will only be left with more bills and a less prosperous America. Arkansas taxpayers deserve better. Click here to watch an archived webcast of the hearing.

House Foreign Affairs Committee
Tuesday, I attended a House Foreign Affairs Committee Mark-Up of 3 bills, including H.R. 4278, legislation reaffirming the United States' support for Ukraine. An amendment I offered during the mark-up will extend reporting and sanctions to Russian individuals who provide arms to the Assad regime in Syria and was included in the final bill. The Committee also held a hearing entitled the "Geopolitical Potential of the US Energy Boom." Click here to watch an archived webcast of the hearing.

Three Rivers Study
This week I joined my colleagues in the Arkansas and Oklahoma delegations in sending a letter to Jo Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, in support of the Three Rivers Study. The Three Rivers Study is a proposed reconnaissance study of McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which faces a breach between miles 3 and 9 on the White Rivers. A breach could make navigation impossible for more than 90 days and cost over $300 million, including the loss of thousands of acres of wetlands.

March is Women's History month, an opportunity to celebrate and honor the achievements of women throughout history. In 1981, Congress passed a joint resolution recognizing the first "Women's History Week." It was expanded to a month long celebration six years later. Did you know that former Arkansas Senator Hattie Caraway was the first female United States Senator to serve a full term and the first female chair of a Senate Committee?

Office Meetings
This week, I had the opportunity to meet with several great groups from Arkansas. Tuesday, I met with members of the Arkansas Association of Student Assistance Programs and learned more about the TRIO program. I also met with the Arkansas Chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association, the Monticello City Chamber, Tom and Cherokee from the Disability Rights Center of Arkansas, Philip and Nancy with the Arkansas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and several other Arkansas groups and constituents who were in DC for their Spring Break. I am so glad they were all able to stop by and say hello.

Staff-Led Veterans Assistance Sessions
Members of my staff will be holding a Veterans Assistance Session in Warren next month. My staff will be there to provide you with information and answer any questions you may have regarding the VA. Hope you can make it to one of them!

Congressional Art Competition
The 2014 Congressional Art Competition is underway! This annual competition recognizes and honors the artistic talents of high school students in Arkansas's 4th Congressional District and throughout the country. All high school students currently in grades 9-12 are welcome to participate.

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