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.

Former Arkansas Congressman Marion Berry has died

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

U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett

Former U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, who began his political career as a Gillett city alderman and would serve seven terms in Congress, has died. He was 80.

Berry was born Aug. 27, 1942 in Stuttgart, Ark., graduated from DeWitt High School and received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1965 from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

He would become a rice and soybean farmer in Gillett, and would serve on the Gillett city council between 1976 and 1980. His service prior to being elected to Congress included being on the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (1986-1994), the White House Domestic Policy Council (1993-1996), and special assistant to President Bill Clinton for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance (1993-1996).

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/05/former-arkansas-congressman-marion-berry-has-died/

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/

Incumbent Rep. Hill Strikes Opponent Elliot In New TV Ad Saying "She'll Tax Anything"

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, launched a new ad in his Second Congressional District re-election campaign that raps Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, for her votes on taxes, particularly a cell phone fee that partially funds 911 calls.

The ad, “She’ll Tax Anything,” features a suburban mom complaining that 25% of her cell phone bill includes taxes. She says Sen. Elliott voted “multiple times” to nearly triple our cell phone taxes in Arkansas.” The ad claims that Arkansas has the 6th highest tax bill in the country for cell phones, while the mom in the ad says “with the coronavirus, staying connected is even more important.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/incumbent-rep-hill-strikes-opponent-elliot-new-tv-ad-saying-shell-tax-anything

Incumbent Rep. Hill Strikes Opponent Elliot In New TV Ad Saying "She'll Tax Anything"

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, launched a new ad in his Second Congressional District re-election campaign that raps Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, for her votes on taxes, particularly a cell phone fee that partially funds 911 calls. The ad, "She'll Tax Anything," features a suburban mom complaining that 25% of her cell phone bill includes taxes.

U.S. Rep. French Hill Unveils First TV Ad Of General Election

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, debuted his first TV ad of his 2020 re-election bid on Tuesday.

The ad, “Together,” is an on-camera appeal from Hill discussing COVID-19 and his efforts to bring funding to Arkansas families and businesses for relief.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/us-rep-french-hill-unveils-first-tv-ad-general-election

U.S. Rep. French Hill Unveils First TV Ad Of General Election

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, debuted his first TV ad of his 2020 re-election bid on Tuesday. The ad, "Together," is an on-camera appeal from Hill discussing COVID-19 and his efforts to bring funding to Arkansas families and businesses for relief.