All four of Arkansas’ GOP U.S. House members re-elected

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

In deep red Arkansas, outcomes of races in the state’s four Congressional districts provided no surprises, with all four of the GOP incumbents coasting to easy reelection wins. But as of late Tuesday night, it was unclear if they were returning to the majority in the U.S. House.

In the 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, defeated Democrat Rodney Govens and Libertarian Steve Parsons. As of 11 p.m., and with 81% of precincts reporting, Crawford received 72.8% of the vote, Govens had 24.9%, and Parsons was at 3.04%. The win sends Crawford to Congress for his eighth two-year term.

In the 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, defeated Democrat Marcus Jones. As of 11 p.m., and with 75% of precincts reporting, Hill received 57.1% of the vote, and Jones had 42.9%. Hill returns to Congress for his sixth two-year term.

All four of Arkansas’ GOP U.S. House members re-elected

Representative Hill introduces legislation to address America's housing crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (R-AR) today introduced the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, which is designed to reverse decades of ineffective housing policies and implement targeted reforms to improve access to affordable, quality housing for all Americans. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) recently introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Wikimedia Image

Rep. Hill said, “Americans are struggling to find affordable housing to live in. For years, federal housing policy under the Biden-Harris Administration has been burdened by ineffective solutions and excessive bureaucracy. With the ROAD to Housing Act, we are taking real steps toward creating a housing market that benefits everyone—renters, homeowners, and families striving for stability. I thank my friend Senator Tim Scott for spearheading this legislation in the Senate and my colleagues Rep. John Rose, Rep. Dan Meuser, Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, Rep. Mike Lawler, and Rep. Zach Nunn for leading this legislation with me in the House.”

Sen. Scott said, “I’m the son of a single mother – growing up, we lived with family until we were able to rent a small place of our own. I know firsthand the importance of access to quality, affordable housing. Unfortunately, Democrats’ solution for years has been to spend trillions on programs that have yielded little results, especially for minorities as homeownership rates for African Americans have barely changed in over 50 years. Costs to buy a home and to rent continue to increase, and homelessness is at record levels. It’s past time for Congress to take serious action to reverse decades of failed housing policies and put all Americans on the road to housing.” 

Further Background:

ROAD To Housing Act: This legislation offers a wide-ranging approach to reforming federal housing policy. The key pillars of this bill are to increase access to affordable housing, promote opportunity, incentivize local solutions, and ensure proper oversight and accountability over federal housing programs. Rep. John Rose (R-TN), Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) are original co-sponsors of this legislation. 

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin welcomes more than 1,600 to Cybersecurity Summit featuring federal CISA Director

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement at the opening of his Cybersecurity Summit at the Statehouse Convention Center in cooperation with the FORGE Institute and featuring the Director of the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Jen Easterly:

“You don’t have to look far to understand why cybersecurity matters. Look on the front page of today’s newspaper about China hacking three American telecom companies. Today, so much of our life is connected to each other: government, individuals, businesses, for example. I don’t think anyone can question the need for cybersecurity now.

“There are a lot of people out there who want to do you harm. Some are individuals that aren’t that smart and will get caught quickly. Some of them are highly sophisticated entities—such as criminal cartels—that want to do you harm. Some of them are aggressive nation-state actors, including China, Russia and Iran. If you have a home computer and a printer, and it’s connected to the Internet, you need to be cyber-secure. If you’re a big company or a small company, you need to be cyber-secure.

“When it comes to cybersecurity, we are only as strong as our weakest link. Success on this front requires a collective defense built on cooperation and collaboration.”

In addition to the opening chat between Griffin and Easterly about the role of CISA and tools being provided to Arkansas, speakers on the first day of the two-day summit included Congressman French Hill (AR-02), member of the House Intelligence Committee; Senator Tom Cotton (AR), member of the Senate Intelligence Committee; and Lee Watson, founder of the FORGE Institute. Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) will be the opening speaker on the second day of the summit on October 8.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin at 2024 Cybersecurity Summit in Little Rock, AR

Representative French Hill responds to Harris' outrageous economic plan

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement in response to Kamala Harris' catastrophic plan she laid out for our economy, including housing proposals.

Kamala Harris (Wikimedia Image)

“Kamala Harris claims her economic agenda represents the ‘future’ and a ‘new path forward,’ but, in fact, her proposals are old, failed economically illiterate duds like price controls we’ve seen from President Nixon to President Biden. Her economic vision is just warmed up Biden leftovers. 

“Instead of freezing prices and blaming corporations for inflation caused by Bidenomics and Kamala Harris herself, let’s instead unleash the American economy in a way that bolsters a dominant ‘all of the above’ energy strategy; cuts regulatory burdens at the local, state, and federal levels to unleash American productivity and innovation; and maintains and enhances tax policies for families and small businesses.

“Regarding housing specifically, our nation already has significant existing state and federal incentives for first time homebuyers to obtain down payment assistance and attractive mortgage terms. What’s really crushing our first time buyers - and all other American families - is the punishing impact of the Biden-Harris inflation, which has nearly doubled mortgage interest rates since they took office. Higher rates mean higher mortgage payments and tougher down payments making the reality of achieving homeownership much more difficult. Harris’ mandates and price controls are going to make housing more expensive – not less.

“It’s well past time we return economic sanity to our nation by implementing policies that we know work instead of following ones that we know don’t. The American people have suffered for far too long and deserve financial security in their everyday lives.” 

Representatives Hill, Turner, Green press for answers on terror watchlist individuals crossing our southern border

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (R-AR), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH), and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) released the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee released a report that showed nearly 100 individuals on the terror watchlist were released into the United States after crossing our southern border.

“It’s unacceptable that the Biden-Harris Administration has left our southern border open and that they don’t know who is coming into our country or where they are once here – including potential terrorists.

“We recently sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to look into the process of identifying which terrorist watchlist individuals are trying to come into our country and where they are once released. The FBI and DHS have yet to answer these most basic questions.

“Since the Biden-Harris Administration’s failed open border policies have welcomed potential terrorists into our nation, we’re working to combat these threats and safeguard Americans in their own backyards. The FBI and DHS must answer our requests.”

U.S. Congressman French Hill

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH)

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN)

Further Background:

Rep. Hill, Chairman Turner, and Chairman Green sent the following letter to the GAO on April 30, 2024, to investigate the process of finding terror watchlist individuals entering the United States and identify where they are after they are released into our country. This letter was sent as a next step following the lawmakers’ prior efforts in pressing for answers because of the lack of responsiveness from FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas. 

Representatives French Hill and Haley Stevens respond to the release of four Americans wrongfully detained in Russia

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Co-Chairs of the Hostage Task Force in the House, commended the release of Americans Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, along with U.S. Green Card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza, from Russia. 

“I am overjoyed that Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir are coming home,” said Rep. Hill. “After being wrongfully detained by Russia for far too long, our fellow Americans are going to reunite with their families and loved ones. Putin has a pattern of wrongfully detaining Americans, and this cannot continue. Russia must be held accountable, and the U.S. must do more to stop this trend that you can take and wrongfully hold an American with impunity. As Co-Chairs of the Hostage Task Force in the House, we remain committed to being a voice for Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained around the world.” 

“Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir, welcome home! For too long, each of you was held as a political pawn, with your liberty stripped away,” said Rep. Stevens. “You have each lost so much, but we are looking forward to helping you rebuild your lives. Thank you to President Biden and our allies who made this remarkable exchange possible.”

U.S. Congressman French Hill urges Federal Reserve to make payments easier for American families and small businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell with Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA) about modernizing our nation’s existing payments infrastructure by expanding the operating days and hours of interbank settlement services to support operations over weekends and holidays, and ultimately 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

In their letter to Chair Powell, the lawmakers write:

Dear Chair Powell, 

We write to you about modernizing our nation’s existing payments infrastructure by expanding the operating days and hours of interbank settlement services to support operations over weekends and holidays, and ultimately 24x7x365.

We were pleased to see the Federal Reserve Board announce last month that it is taking steps to expand the operating days and hours of the National Settlement Service (NSS) and Fedwire Funds Service (Fedwire) to 22x7x365 in 2027.

The Federal Reserve’s 2015 report titled Strategies for Improving the U.S. Payment System acknowledged that this expansion “has the potential to empower private-sector innovation around solutions for making payments faster, safer, and more efficient” for consumers and businesses. In the last nine years since the publishing of this report, the Federal Reserve has made progress on several key priorities. Since the report’s publication, we have seen multiple expansions in the operating days and hours of interbank settlement services to accommodate faster and more efficient interbank payments.

The ACH Network currently processes and clears payments 23¼ hours every banking day, but private-sector ACH operators can only conduct interbank settlement when the wholesale payment services are open and available. Expanding the operating days and hours of the NSS and Fedwire will further allow the ACH Network to settle payments during additional days and times of the week, and it will enable the continued adoption of real-time payments.

This would benefit workers and consumers by enabling people to receive funds for payroll Direct Deposits on weekends and holidays, which is especially important for gig workers and those working shifts. It would also allow Americans to transfer money between accounts at night and on weekends and holidays, something they currently cannot do. Enabling ACH payments to settle on weekends and holidays through expanded days and hours can help consumers manage their own cash flow, pay their bills on time, and avoid late fees, as well as reduce the overall cost of payments to consumers. Expanding the days and hours of interbank settlement services would also especially benefit small businesses by allowing for quicker access to funds from card sales instead of having to wait for the next banking day.

As the Federal Reserve’s own staff memo to the Board of Governors states, expanding the operating hours would “improve the nation’s payment and settlement infrastructure … [and] support the safety and efficiency of the U.S. payments system.” Doing so would also bring other benefits such as “improving the credit risk and operational efficiency of … retail payment arrangements, spurring innovation in new or enhanced private-sector payment solutions, and supporting more efficient cross-border payment flows, among others.”

We believe it is important for the Federal Reserve to prioritize its work and act swiftly to expand the operating days and hours of the NSS and Fedwire. Please respond to the following questions by July 31, 2024:

• How did the Federal Reserve Board reach its decision to propose expanding the operating hours no sooner than 2027? Please describe the rationale in detail, including why the Board proposed a two-year delay following the implementation of the ISO 20022 message format for Fedwire in March 2025, and whether any other time periods were considered.

• What factors would the Federal Reserve consider as it potentially expands the operating hours sooner than 2027?

• How is the Federal Reserve thinking about an expansion of operating hours to the full 24x7x365 versus 22x7x365? What kind of feedback will the Federal Reserve consider regarding the constraints, preferences, and demand related to full 24x7 operating hours?

• What technological, operational, infrastructure, staffing, resource, risk, and other factors are the Federal Reserve analyzing as it considers expanding the operating days and hours of its wholesale payment services? Please expand on the “operational and technical changes” that expanded hours would impose on the Reserve Banks and participants.

U.S. Rep. French Hill introduces legislation to protect wilderness area near Ouachita

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Last week, U.S Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, introduced the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act.

Ouachita National Forest - Wikimedia

The Flatside Wilderness Additions Act would protect the area near Ouachita National Forest, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Hill testified to the U.S House subcommittee on the need for preserving the 2,200 acres of wilderness.

“Flatside is a beautiful area of the Natural State, noted for its ridges, summits, and part of the Ouachita Mountains that rises above the forest and provides visitors with amazing views,” Hill said.

U.S. Rep. French Hill introduces legislation to protect wilderness area near Ouachita

Representative French Hill champions vital provisions for Nation's defenders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after the House passed the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes important provisions for military bases throughout Arkansas.

“My vote today underscores my steadfast dedication to the courageous men and women of our armed forces both at home in central Arkansas and abroad safeguarding our freedoms. Among the key provisions of this bill are substantial investments in Arkansas’s military infrastructure including funding for more training at Camp Robinson, increased production capacity in Camden for the Iron Dome system, and $73 million for an F-35 Academic Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base - all of which mean creating and sustaining good paying jobs for the hardworking people of Arkansas.”

Further Background:

H.R. 8070 - 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): This bill includes a 4.5% pay increase for service members, counters our foreign adversaries, and supports our military and industrial base readiness.

For military spouses, this legislation makes it easier for them to transfer professional licenses across states and expands Department of Defense programs that provide employment support to spouses.

Additionally, this bill tackles waste by saving $30 billion by cutting inefficient programs and outdated weapons and cuts $4.3 billion in programs that aren’t meeting requirements. 

Arkansas House Delegation to McDonough: The politicization of the VA is inappropriate

Washington, D.C. — Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-01), French Hill (AR-02), Steve Womack (AR-03), and Bruce Westerman (AR-04) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough voicing concern for the encouragement of VA facilities to display Pride flags at the taxpayers’ expense. The letter calls on McDonough to immediately remove any flag other than the American flag, flag of the VA, state flags, and the POW-MIA recognition flag from VA facilities.

Rawpixel Image

In part, the lawmakers wrote:

“The Pride flag is once again flying over the VA facility in Little Rock, and our constituents and veterans across Arkansas have called on us to inquire about why the VA is expressing a clear political leaning. Your continuation of this policy demonstrates the continued disregard for the opinions of veterans you showed last year. The men and women who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing, and we should strive to provide them with an apolitical VA when they seek the care, benefits, and services they have earned.”

Click here for the full letter.

Arkansas delegation supports governor’s request for major disaster declaration

Wikimedia image

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Steve Womack, Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman—wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms in Benton, Boone and Marion Counties on May 26.

“We encourage the president to quickly approve federal aid to help speed up recovery efforts in Arkansas,” members said. 

The letter can be found here and below:

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to declare a major disaster, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on May 24, 2024, and are continuing.

As Governor Sanders noted in her request, the severity of this event created disastrous amounts of debris, severe infrastructure damage, and resulted in the deaths of at least nine citizens and injured countless others. Arkansans will continue to feel the destructive impact of this storm as we work to rebuild.  

Preliminary damage estimates conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency show major impacts to local jurisdictions in Benton, Boone, and Marion Counties exceeding an estimated $6.4 million in damages. At least 217 homes were destroyed with an additional 94 sustaining major damage. In total, over 478 homes were affected by the storms, leaving a large number of Arkansans displaced and many counties left without power for days. 

Despite facing significant hardships from the severe storm, Arkansans have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness and resilience. Communities from across the state have come together to support one another during this challenging time. But as it stands, we believe the magnitude of this weather event warrants supplemental federal assistance. The above-mentioned counties have seen homes, businesses, and important infrastructure severely damaged, and federal government resources will be critical in restoration efforts.

The entire Arkansas delegation is eager to assist in any way possible to ensure expedited evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions. We thank you for your support, and respectfully ask for your attention and assistance in providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety and full recovery of Arkansans.

Representative French Hill presses Secretaries Yellen and Blinken to swiftly implement the REPO Act to support Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (R-AR), alongside House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Rep. Greg Meeks (D-NY), sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging for the swift and full implementation of the Rebuilding Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, or the REPO Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation signed into law ordering the seizure of Russian sovereign assets held in the United States. These assets will be transferred to help with Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery from the harm caused by Russia’s invasion.

 Read the full letter:

 Dear Secretary Yellen and Secretary Blinken:

We are writing to commend the Administration for its March 14th statement at the Kyiv Polytechnical Institute committing the Administration to seizing all Russian sovereign assets in the United States to help Ukraine as authorized by the bipartisan Rebuilding Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act (REPO Act, Public Law 118-50). We also applaud Secretary Blinken’s statement to work with our G7 allies to ensure that all Russian assets worldwide are seized to maximize the amount of funds used as the initial payment to Ukraine for damages inflicted by Russia’s illegal aggression under international law in 2014 and again in 2022.

We have been sponsors and champions of this legislation since it was first introduced. With your assistance, we want to see it swiftly and fully implemented by the President in order to maximize the Russian sovereign assets that the United States can provide to Ukraine for its reconstruction and recovery. The REPO Act provides the President with statutory authority to seize, confiscate, vest, and then transfer Russian sovereign assets as effectively and efficiently as possible to help bolster Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure. Moreover, this will help to ensure Ukraine’s continued existence as a free democracy and sovereign nation. In this respect, the economic war facing Ukraine from Russia is as critical to win as the military campaign in which they now have been engaged for more than ten years after Russia’s first illegal act of aggression in 2014.

As part of our Constitutional responsibility to oversee the Executive branch of our government, we are writing to inform you that we intend to exercise our authority to hear from you and other senior Administration witnesses in order to maximize the chances for success in Ukraine. We look forward to receiving and reviewing the required reports, notifications, and Presidential certifications as required by the new law.

We urge you to work promptly and directly with the President to launch the first required reporting requirements required under the law through an Executive Order or other means under the new law. Specifically, we believe it is crucial to get timely, accurate, and actionable information on the amounts and sources of all Russian sovereign assets as defined in Section 2(6) that are within the jurisdiction and reach of the United States. As you know, this definition includes not only assets of the Russian Central Bank, National Wealth Fund, and Ministry of Finance, but also any other funds or property of the Russian government, including any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality.

We wish to stress that the definition in the new law includes all Russian sovereign assets held in U.S. financial institutions and other financial institutions defined in the new law, including all correspondent banking accounts and offshore partnerships maintained by U.S. financial institutions. As you know, once fully implemented by the Administration, the new law requires all covered financial institutions to report to the Treasury Department any Russian sovereign asset in their accounts that are subject to sanctions. U.S. institutions are necessarily involved in the management of Russian sovereign assets in the form of U.S. dollars produced by coupons on securities or dollars deposited when U.S. securities matured. Whether already segregated or commingled with other funds for management on behalf of a foreign financial institution, the U.S. institution must work with its foreign partners to identify and report on these holdings that are subject to sanctions, both for reasons of prudential risk management as well as compliance with the new law. The U.S. institutions must also segregate such holdings for the full range of possible actions contemplated in Section 104. Properly implemented, this new law bolsters the U.S. ability to exert its full and complete authority over overseas Russian assets that interact with the jurisdiction of the United States. Any action by U.S. or foreign banks to conceal Russian sovereign assets covered by this law could be a form of criminal sanctions evasion.

As you draft the required orders, licenses, and/or regulations that will be issued to comply with Section 104(a) and Section 106 of the new law and meet the 90-day reporting deadline, if not sooner, we urge you to ensure that the reporting requirements issued by the Administration cover all possible Russian sovereign assets subject to our jurisdiction. This includes not just the Russian Central Bank reserves, estimated by the Administration at various times to be in the range of $5 to 8 billion, but also all other Russian sovereign assets as enumerated in the law and described above.

Swift action to launch the new reporting requirements will also help further our common objective of clearly identifying and reporting all available assets as a first step toward their transfer, seizure, or confiscation to vest in the new Ukraine Support Fund. By proceeding in this manner deliberately and quickly, we also ensure that the U.S. Government is protecting U.S. taxpayer interests by using Russian money first to compensate Ukraine for the damages Russian President Vladimir Putin has and continues to inflict upon Ukraine due to Russian illegal aggression. We also hope that you will use your good offices with the President to accelerate these reporting requirements so you are in a position to provide us with the required reports well in advance of the 90-day requirement, which is July 23, 2024.

Further, your swift action—already applauded by many policy makers in Europe—will spur the EU and member states to also act swiftly. The overwhelmingly unanimous vote on April 16 by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to adopt a resolution calling for frozen Russian assets to be used for Ukraine’s benefit, as well as the recent introduction of a similar measure to the REPO Act in the UK House of Commons, provide that full indication. Given that the great majority of Russian sovereign assets are held in Europe, effective diplomacy is absolutely essential for aiding Ukraine. Acting in coordination with our European counterparts also protects our economy and financial system here at home.

Thank you for your consideration of our views. We look forward to working closely with you as Congress begins its oversight of the Administration’s implementation of the REPO for Ukrainians Act in ways that will optimize the benefits for our citizens as well as the people of Ukraine.

Representative Hill's bill to provide regulatory relief for community banks and small lenders heading to House Floor

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill’s (AR-02) bill to protect small banks and lenders from reporting requirements under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFBP) harmful 1071 rule, the Small LENDER Act, today passed out of the House Financial Services Committee and is one step closer to advancing to the House Floor.

 “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our nation’s economy. With small lenders often driving investment in their local communities, it is crucial that small businesses have access to the capital they need to prosper. The CFPB’s 1071 rule hurts small businesses by making credit more expensive and disproportionately impacts smaller companies. My bill makes necessary changes to exempt community banks and lenders from having to comply with the CFPB’s harmful small business data collection regulation because of President Biden’s veto to repeal Section 1071 of Dodd-Frank. I applaud the Small LENDER Act’s passage through the House Financial Services Committee and am pleased that my bill is one step closer to reaching the House Floor.”

 Further Background:

 H.R. 1806 - Small LENDER Act: This bill would codify “financial institution” as one that originates at least 500 covered transactions in each of the last two years, as opposed to the 25-transaction threshold proposed in the CFPB’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). The bill also codifies “small business” as one with gross annual revenues of $1 million or less in the last year instead of $5 million or less as defined in the NPRM. Finally, the bill extends the effective compliance date with the final rule to be three years after publication in the Federal Register plus a two-year grace period, as opposed to the 18-month implementation period in the NPRM.

Representative French Hill announces winner of 2024 Congressional Art Competition and Fan Favorite Award recipient

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today announced the winner of the Second Congressional District’s 2024 Congressional Art Competition. The office received over 130 entries from students across central Arkansas for this year’s competition. 

The winner of this year’s competition is Ayalgunn Enkhmandakh with “Clock of Life.” Ayalgunn is a student at Little Rock Central High School. The winner of this year’s Fan Favorite Award is Jill Jordan with “Pastel Sunset.” Jill is a student at Little Rock Christian Academy. 

“I am proud to announce Ayalgunn as the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition. This year was one of our most competitive years yet with over 130 submissions. Each year, I am impressed by the outstanding work of our young, gifted artists – I thank those throughout our community, including our local art teachers, who empower our students to display their creativity. 

"I look forward to seeing Ayalgunn’s artwork on display in the United States Capitol for Members of Congress, their staff, and visitors to experience for the next year – as well as Jill’s piece, which will be on display in my Little Rock office. I am proud of the impressive work our central Arkansan artists have produced and am proud to highlight their work for the next year.” 

Further Background: 

Each year, high school students from central Arkansas compete to have their art showcased in the U.S. Capitol. The winner will have the opportunity to come to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception for all the Congressional Art Competition winners from across the country. 2024 awards as follows:

• First place: Ayalgunn Enkhmandakh, Little Rock Central High School – “Clock of Life” 

• Second place: Bayley Myers, Pangburn High School – “Bob” 

• Third place: Lakeyn Billing, Morrilton High School – “Capybaras” 

• Honorable mention: Jordyn Eichler, Mount St. Mary – “Predator” 

• “Fan Favorite”: Jill Jordan, Little Rock Christian Academy – “Pastel Sunset”

Representative French HIll presses CFPB to comply with court order and provide relief to small businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (AR-02) sent a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) pressing Director Chopra to provide clarity around the implementation timeline of their harmful small business data reporting rule, often referred to as the 1071 rule. 

“Building on the bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution and my legislation, the Small LENDER Act, this letter calls on the CFPB to delay the implementation of the 1071 rule for the period it has been stayed.” 

In a letter to CFPB Director Chopra, Rep. Hill writes: 

Director Chopra,

    We write to urge you to provide greater clarity around the implementation timeline of the CFPB’s small business data collection rule (pursuant to Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act), particularly in light of the nationwide injunction that has been in effect since last October. This injunction is a result of litigation, originally filed in April 2023, that is still pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. As you know, the injunction was granted pursuant to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s ruling in CFPB v. Community Financial Services Association of America. The underlying litigation challenged the final rule on other grounds, including claims that the CFPB was arbitrary and capricious in its rulemaking and that the agency did not adhere to procedures outlined by the Administrative Procedure Act.

    Covered entities under this rule need clear guidance from the CFPB that it will comply with the court order from Judge Randy Crane, who directed the CFPB to halt implementation and enforcement of Section 1071 against financial institutions until the Supreme Court resolves a separate case involving the constitutionality of the agency’s funding. The same court order ordered the CFPB to provide for a delay in the implementation dates for all covered institutions to accommodate the full length of the injunction.

    Specifically, page 7 of the October 26 order states that, “Defendants shall immediately cease all implementation or enforcement of the final rule against Plaintiffs and their members, Intervenors and their members, and all covered financial institutions.” The order goes on to state that, “in the event of a reversal in that case, Defendants are ORDERED to extend Plaintiffs and their members, Intervenors and their members, and all covered financial institutions’ deadlines for compliance with the requirements of the final rule to compensate for the period stayed.”

    However, we have heard from some covered entities that prudential regulators are encouraging financial institutions under their oversight to disregard the injunction and prepare for Section 1071 compliance by October 1, 2024, irrespective of the court's instructions. This has led to confusion for regulated entities regarding the CFPB's stance on deadline extensions after the resolution of the Supreme Court’s separate case involving the constitutionality of the agency’s funding. A situation where some entities are preparing for compliance with an October date based on statements by individual examiners, while others are appropriately waiting for legal clarity, is not acceptable.

    To our dismay, the CFPB has been reluctant to definitively state that it will comply with this court order. As of April 8, 2024, the original injunction has been in place now for more than 250 days and the nationwide injunction has been in place for more than 165 days. Furthermore, deadlines for information collection will now be extended well into 2025. Deadlines for information submission will also presumably be delayed a full calendar year into 2026. Due to this uncertainty, covered entities under Section 1071 deserve clarity on both of these matters. The CFPB must promptly address this uncertainty and provide the necessary guidance to covered entities, thereby fostering a transparent and compliant regulatory environment.

    It is notable that while the CFPB adhered strictly to a Northern District of California Court settlement agreement regarding the issuance timeframe of the final rule, similar importance should be accorded to the Southern District of Texas court order. Agencies must uphold the rule of law impartially, irrespective of personal agreements or disagreements with court orders.

    Therefore, we request the CFPB to issue clear guidance affirming its commitment to comply with a day-for-day extension of Section 1071 compliance deadlines to compensate for the period stayed, in accordance with the court order. Additionally, we urge you to clarify that the 12-month transition period for data collection to determine covered status will commence at least 12 months before the new deadline. Furthermore, we are asking that you clarify that reporting deadlines will still be set for June of the calendar year following data collection.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Representative Hill's legislation to provide transparency into financial corruption of Iranian leaders passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. French Hill’s (R-AR) bill with Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA), H.R. 6245, the Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act, passed the House Floor with a bipartisan vote of 419-4. 

Rep. Hill said, “Iran’s attacks on Israel are the latest example of their terror that continues to plague the world. The Iranian regime is the top sponsor of terrorism who enables terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to carry out their brutal attacks against innocent civilians in the Middle East and beyond. The United States must take action to assess the finances of Iran’s authoritarian leaders and crack down on financial institutions that are connected to their funds to hinder their terror financing abilities – my bill that passed the House Floor today does just that. 

“Ayatollah Khamenei and his theocratic leaders have been in power for 30 years. His family wealth is estimated to be in the billions while roughly 60% of Iranians live in poverty. Publishing the level of corruption and theft by Iranian leaders and offering it in English, Farsi, Arabic and Azeri will demonstrate to the citizens of Iran how they have been misled.” 

Rep. Vargas said, "After decades of funding terrorism against the United States and our allies and using its proxies to sow chaos, Iran has now launched a direct and reckless attack on Israel. We must take a bipartisan approach to addressing this unprecedented threat. This legislation, which was introduced with my friend and colleague, French Hill, will help provide transparency into the financial corruption of the Iranian regime and hold them accountable." 

Further Background: 

Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act: This bill would require the Department of the Treasury to brief Congress on the finances of Iranian leadership and require financial institutions to close accounts connected to these individuals. This legislation will provide a valuable window into the corrupt business practices of Iran’s top kleptocrats and limit their financial holdings which are used to support and sponsor terrorism.