Arkansas' congressional delegation give year end review of legislative year

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

In an interview with Arkies in the Beltway, a podcast produced by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas’ congressional delegation said they were satisfied with what their party, the Republicans, were able to accomplish.

This year was the first time Republicans had control of the House since 2018. U.S Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, said governing as the majority is more of a challenge than being the minority party.

U.S Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, said controlling one chamber of Congress in itself was a success, because it limited the legislation that Democrats were able to pass. Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 are the deadlines that the Democrats and Republicans will have to pass appropriations bills by. Crawford said this will be a challenge.

Arkansas' congressional delegation give year end review of legislative year

Zach Gibson/Getty Images

In 2024, Republicans will continue to be the majority party of the U.S House of Representatives. During the 2022 mid term election, Republicans gained control of the chamber.

First day of filing sees Thurston jump in Treasurer’s race, Democrat to challenge Crawford in CD1

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The first day of candidate filing at the Arkansas State Capitol ended with 215 filings, including Republican Secretary of State John Thurston running for an open State Treasurer position and an unexpected Democrat filing for U.S. Congress in District 1.

Thurston, who previously announced he would seek the remainder of the term from the late Mark Lowery, was the first to file on Monday (Nov. 6). If he is elected, he will be eligible to serve 10 years – the remaining two years of Lowery’s term and two four-year terms. No other candidates filed for the position.

Rodney Govens, a 40-year year old Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran from Cabot, filed as a Democrat in the First Congressional District, the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro.

First day of filing sees Thurston jump in Treasurer’s race, Democrat to challenge Crawford in CD1

U.S Rep. Rick Crawford gives update on the Farm Bill reauthorization process

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Every five years, Congress has to reauthorize the Farm Bill, which is legislation that plays a large role in regulating agriculture programs and programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In an interview with Arkansas Week, U.S Rep. Rick Crawford, Republican of Arkansas’ 1st District, said Congress’ inability to get a spending plan is making it challenging to get the 2023 Farm Bill passed.

“I’m very well versed in what it takes to get a farm bill passed and I don’t think we’re there right now. If I can be quite candid, our best case scenario at this point is probably filing an extension,” he said. “The Farm Bill is different, that's why we only do it every five years.”

U.S Rep. Rick Crawford gives update on the Farm Bill reauthorization process (ualrpublicradio.org)

Fred Miller/UA Division Of Agriculture

Corn research plots at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, Ark. on July 8, 2022.

Representative Brandt Smith to Challenge U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford in GOP Primary

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Four-term State Rep. Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro, told Talk Business & Politics on Friday (Aug. 6) he intends to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, in the Republican primary in 2021.

Smith, 62, said he’s talked with many constituents in Northeast Arkansas during recent years and he thinks there’s a disconnect between Crawford and people in the district. “Politicians don’t own these seats … They belong to the people of Arkansas. I’ve been blessed to be elected to four terms, but I only occupy that seat as long as the people re-elect me. It belongs to them,” he said.

Smith, a Jonesboro native, said he had a “heated conversation” with Crawford about his plans to challenge him. Smith claimed the conversation grew so contentious that he hung up the phone.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/08/rep-brandt-smith-to-challenge-u-s-rep-rick-crawford-in-gop-primary/