Representative Hill provisions included in package fighting against foreign adversaries and strengthening national security

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after three of his bills passed the House as part of significant, strategic, and critical legislation to support U.S. allies Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 

“As our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan face threats against their freedom, providing U.S. aid was dire. Russia’s Vladimir Putin will not stop until he takes Ukraine, China’s Xi Jingping seeks to follow Putin’s aggressive and illegal footsteps in his pursuit of Taiwan, and Iran and Iran-backed terror groups are relentless in their attacks against our strongest Middle East ally, Israel. 

“It should be brutally obvious that Putin is responsible for the destruction his army has caused in Ukraine and bears the sole burden of paying for Ukraine’s reconstruction. The REPO Act that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10) and I authored was a crucial part of our assistance to Ukraine as it allows Russian sovereign assets held in the United States to be converted for Ukraine’s reconstruction – all while saving U.S. taxpayer money. 

“Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a transnational drug kingpin who exploits his dangerous drug captagon to generate billions in illicit funding and devastate families in Syria and in the region. It is crucial that we take further action to disrupt and dismantle the proliferation of captagon as it fuels Assad’s terror partnership with the Iranian regime and before it makes its way west to American shores. My bill, the Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act, does exactly that by directly targeting and sanctioning those involved with the proliferation of captagon. 

“Iran is the top state sponsor of terrorism and profits from their alliances with other terror regimes in the region, and the citizens of Iran deserve transparency about their corrupt, authoritarian leaders. While most of the population lives in poverty, Iranian leaders are focused on funding terrorism and enriching themselves. My bill, the Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act, exposes the finances of Iran’s theocratic leaders and cracks down on the financial institutions that facilitate Iran’s terror. 

“I am pleased that Speaker Johnson and House Leadership secured the important passage of my bills and crucial supplemental aid to our allies today – the world was watching, and we delivered.”  

Further Background: 

H.R. 8038 - 21st Century Peace through Strength Act: This legislation includes three of Rep. Hill’s bills:

• H.R. 4175 - Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians (REPO) Act: This legislation would utilize Russian assets to pay for the Ukrainian current financing gap and long-term reconstruction by giving the U.S. President the authority to seize, transfer, or vest Russian assets within U.S. jurisdiction into an international fund for the sole purpose of Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction.

• H.R. 6245 - Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act: This legislation would expose the finances of Iran’s authoritarian and theocratic leaders and crack down on financial institutions that maintain accounts in connection with those funds.

• H.R. 4681 - Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act: This legislation would issue new, direct sanctions against the perpetrators who illicitly produce and traffic captagon.

H.R.8035 - Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act: This bill would provide $60.8 billion in aid to Ukraine for defense purposes. $48.3 billion (79%) of this total will fund the U.S. defense industrial base. 

H.R.8034 - Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act: This bill would provide $26.38 billion to support Israel as it defends itself Iran and Iran-backed terror groups such as Hamas. It also would reimburse U.S. military operations in response to the recent attacks. 

H.R.8036 - Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act: This bill would provide $8.12 billion to assist Taiwan as they continue their efforts to counter the Chinese Communist Party and ensure strong deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Arkansas' U.S Senators disagree with Senate's decision not to have trial for Sec. Mayorkas

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Last week, the U.S Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, dropped impeachment charges against U.S Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorka. In February the U.S House, which is controlled by Republicans voted for Articles of Impeachment against Mayorkas.

In an interview with Arkies in the Beltway, a podcast by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, U.S Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, said he disagrees with the move by the Senate to drop the charges.

“The House of Representatives sent articles of impeachment, the Constitution along with our customs say that we should have a trial. Sen. Chuck Schumer didn’t want to have to subject vulnerable Democratic senators running for re-election to the embarrassment of sitting through a trial,” Cotton said.

Arkansas' U.S Senators disagree with Senate's decision not to have trial for Sec. Mayorkas

Brad Barket/Getty Images For People En Español

Alejandro Mayorkas speaks in October 2015 in New York City.

Boozman, Cotton introduce bill to report illegal immigrant attempts to purchase firearm

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) to introduce legislation that would require the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and relevant local law enforcement when an illegal immigrant tries to purchase a gun.

“Alerting the proper authorities when illegal immigrants seek to obtain firearms is commonsense. I’m proud to join Senator Cotton and our colleagues on this legislation to help protect our communities,” Boozman said. 

Image by Taylor R

“Those who come into America illegally should be detained and deported. They certainly shouldn’t be able to purchase a firearm. Our bill is necessary to ensure the proper authorities are notified when an illegal immigrant attempts to buy a gun,” Cotton said. 

“The National Instant Criminal Background Check system is an important tool to ensure firearms stay out of the wrong hands, which is why I co-introduced the Fix NICS Act. It is already against the law for an illegal immigrant to purchase a firearm, and this legislation would notify the appropriate authorities when an illegal immigrant tries to break the law,” said Tillis.

“Our local law enforcement and immigration officials should have the tools to know if folks are in our country illegally. Instead of taking every opportunity to crack down on lawful FFLs just trying to earn a living, the Biden administration should capitalize on their dutiful work by using their resources to prevent unlawful actions by illegal immigrants. In the face of the border crisis of its own making, President Biden’s priorities again are out of touch. This bill will help officials do their job and keep our communities safe,” said Ernst.  

“I have no confidence in this administration’s willingness or ability to prevent illegal aliens from unlawfully entering our country, let alone in preventing them from illegally obtaining a firearm,” said Lummis. “If this administration refuses to enforce our existing immigration laws, we must empower law enforcement and immigration officials to hold them accountable and take appropriate action to keep our communities safe.” 

Bill text may be found here.

Background: 

• When a person tries to buy a firearm from a store, the firearm seller, known as a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), contacts the NICS to conduct a background check. That background check verifies the buyer is not ineligible to purchase or own a firearm.

• The FBI maintains a record of prohibited persons which currently includes the names of 14.8 million illegal immigrants. NICS is not, however, required to notify immigration authorities if an applicant is in the country illegally.

• Since November 30, 1998, NICS has issued denials for 49,411 attempted firearm purchases by illegal immigrants. 

Womack votes to strengthen national security, defend democracy abroad

Washington, DC—April 20, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after voting for the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024; the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024; the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024; and the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act—all of which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today.

Congressman Womack said, “The security of America is a constitutional imperative. America is safer when our allies and partners are safe. Providing these nations with necessary and timely resources to defend against aggression is essential to American security. This is not the time to demonstrate weakness. The packages we approved today will not only help America, but a significant amount of these resources will be spent right here in Arkansas, where a number of the munitions and weapons are made. I am grateful to Speaker Mike Johnson for his courage and leadership in bringing these measures to a vote.”

Before the vote, Congressman Womack spoke on the House floor urging his colleagues to vote YES on the foreign aid legislation. Click HERE to watch his remarks.

Bill breakdowns

The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024: The bill totals $26.38 billion to support Israel in its effort to defend itself against Iran and its proxies, and to reimburse U.S. military operations in response to recent attacks.

• $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems.

• $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system to counter short-range rockets and mortar threats.

• $3.5 billion for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, defense articles, and defense services through the Foreign Military Financing Program.

• $1 billion to enhance the production and development of artillery and critical munitions.

• $4.4 billion to replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Israel.

• $2.4 billion for current U.S. military operations in the region in response to recent attacks. 

• Provides additional flexibility for transfers of defense articles to Israel from U.S. stockpiles held abroad.

• Prohibits funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024: The bill totals $60.84 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine and assist our regional partners as they counter Russia, $23.2 billion of which will be used for replenishment of U.S. weapons, stocks, and facilities. 

• $23.2 billion to replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Ukraine. 

• $11.3 billion for current U.S. military operations in the region.

• $13.8 billion for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, defense articles, and defense services.

• $26 million to continue oversight and accountability of aid and equipment provided to Ukraine.

• Bolsters oversight through in-person monitoring requirements.

• Requires partners and allies to pay their fair share through cost-matching requirements.

• Mandates agreement on repayment for economic support by the government of Ukraine. 

• Increases the fiscal limits on several Presidential drawdown authorities.  

The Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024: The bill totals $8.12 billion to continue efforts to counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the region. 

• $3.3 billion to develop submarine infrastructure, including investments in dry dock construction. 

• $2 billion in Foreign Military Financing Program for Taiwan and other key allies and security partners in the Indo-Pacific confronting Chinese aggression.

• $1.9 billion to replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Taiwan and regional partners. 

• $542 million to strengthen U.S. military capabilities in the region.

• $133 million to enhance the production and development of artillery and critical munitions.

• Provides additional flexibility for Foreign Military Financing loans and loan guarantees.

The 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act:

• Imposes sanctions on Iranian infrastructure and high-ranking officials to weaken Iran’s energy exports, weapons development, and technology transfers.

• Places additional sanctions on China and Russian oligarchs.

• Forces the sale of TikTok unless divested from China and protects Americans’ data from China.

• Authorizes the REPO Act to seize roughly $5 billion of Russian sovereign assets under US jurisdiction and repurposes those funds to Ukraine.

• Includes the FEND OFF Fentanyl Act, to implement sanctions on drug cartels and criminal organizations to hamper fentanyl distribution in the United States and crack down on money laundering associated with fentanyl trafficking.

Fort Smith Retiree Heading to Disney World after Successful Proton Therapy for Brain Tumors

By Marty Trieschmann

In November 2023, Malinda Larey, 67, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was all set to jump on the retirement travel bandwagon when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with atypical meningioma.

Meningiomas are tumors that grow from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Patients can have a range of symptoms — from none to severe seizures, headaches and changes in vision, smell or hearing. Only about 15-20% of meningiomas are atypical, which means the tumors cells are neither cancerous nor benign but may become malignant at some point.

“It was inside and outside of my skull and just grew bigger and bigger,” Larey recalls of the fast-growing mass that had formed at the base of her skull.

Meningiomas are more common in older women, though the cause is unknown.

Fort Smith Retiree Heading to Disney World after Successful Proton Therapy for Brain Tumors

“Watching the care that the Proton Center provided to all the patients experiencing so much struggle in their lives gave me so much confidence that this was the place I needed to be. " Image by Evan Lewis

Former U.S. Sen. David Pryor has died; hailed as ‘dedicated’ public servant, ‘true statesman’

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

David Pryor, a key Arkansas political figure for more than five decades from the governor’s office to the halls of Congress, died Saturday (April 20). He was 89.

A U.S. Senator, congressman and governor, Pryor, former President Bill Clinton, and former U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers were once considered the “Big Three” of modern Arkansas politics.

Pryor is survived by his wife, Barbara; three children, David H. Jr., Mark, and Scott; and four grandchildren, David H. III, Adams, Porter, and Devon.

Pryor, the former editor and publisher of the Ouachita Citizen in Camden, Ark., began his political career in the Arkansas House of Representatives where he served three terms between 1961 and 1966 before representing the Fourth District in the U.S. Congress. He was elected Arkansas governor in 1974 and reelected in 1976 before winning the 1978 race for U.S. Senate.

Former U.S. Sen. David Pryor has died; hailed as ‘dedicated’ public servant, ‘true statesman’

Trailblazer, former Arkansas extension director Ivory Lyles dies at 65

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Ivory Lyles, who became the first African-American to head an extension service in a predominately white university system when he was appointed director of the Cooperative Extension Service in Arkansas, has died. He was 65.

TRAILBLAZER — Ivory Lyles served as Arkansas' Cooperative Extension Service director from 2000 until 2009.

A native of Mississippi, Lyles obtained a master of science in agriculture education from Mississippi State University and a Ph.D. in agriculture education from The Ohio State University.

“Ivory Lyles was a trailblazer who opened a lot of doors,” said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System, and head of the Division of Agriculture, which is home to the Cooperative Extension Service. Fields is the first African-American to become head of the Division of Agriculture.  “As I saw him at various Land-Grant meetings, I appreciated hearing about his experiences.”

A funeral for Lyles is set for Saturday at the Holifield Funeral Home, 962 E. 4th Street, Forest, Mississippi. A celebration of life service is planned for Sunday at the Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 341 Ephesus Road, also in Forest.

“Dr. Lyles devoted his career serving agriculture as an educator and administrator within the Land-Grant system,” said Ron Rainey, assistant vice president for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “He served in four states as a visionary leader committed to serving agriculture and rural communities.”

John Anderson, current director of Arkansas’ Cooperative Extension Service, said, “Dr. Lyles enjoyed a relatively long tenure as extension director in Arkansas and his impact is still felt throughout the system.  

“Many of the county agents, extension specialists, and administrators currently in senior positions in the organization were hired during Dr. Lyles’ time and are part of the outstanding cohort of extension professionals who have shaped extension’s work today,” Anderson said.

Before coming to Arkansas, Lyles was a district supervisor for the University of Tennessee and Cooperative Extension Program administrator for Tennessee State University.

Lyles also served as director of the Cooperative Extension Service and was associate dean of engagement for the University of Nevada, Reno. He was hired by Oregon State University in September 2021 as vice provost for extension and engagement and director of Oregon State’s extension service. He retired in March 2024.

Edward Feser, provost and executive vice president of Oregon State, said Lyles reinvigorated the university’s community engagement and strengthened its statewide presence. In a Feb. 13 statement about Lyles’ retirement, Feser said Lyles helped secure a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture focused on youth development and bolstering Native American programs.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

Westerman statement on emergency supplemental security appropriations

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a series of bills providing supplemental appropriations to address U.S. national security threat and to provide funding for defense assistance to U.S. allies and for costs incurred by the U.S. military for regional support.

• H.R. 8038, the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act, confronts several U.S. national security threats through substantive policy changes, including fentanyl trafficking, TikTok, Iranian-backed aggression, and more.

• H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, supports Taiwan in its efforts to counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

• H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, supports Israel in its effort to defend against Iran and its proxies, and reimburses U.S. military operations in response to recent attacks.

• H.R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, replenishes U.S. military stockpiles to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:

“From a dismal Afghanistan withdrawal to a nonexistent southern border, the leadership failures of Joe Biden and his Administration are too numerous to list. As a result, the world is in turmoil and is looking to the U.S. for leadership. Today I voted to support our allies and replenish U.S. military stockpiles with weapons made by Arkansans in East Camden, protect Americans online by forcing the sale of TikTok, combat fentanyl trafficking, and stand up against the authoritarian aggression of China, Russia, and Iran.

“As Ronald Reagan said, during his remarks at the 40th anniversary of the D-Day invasion at Point Du Hoc, ‘We in America have learned bitter lessons from two world wars: It is better to be here ready to protect the peace, than to take blind shelter across the sea, rushing to respond only after freedom is lost. We’ve learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent.’

“The Biden Administration has put our national security, and that of our allies, at risk through appeasement. This package is not only about supporting our allies but is also critical to safeguarding our own national security.”

H.R. 8038, the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act:

• Prevents app store availability or web hosting services in the U.S. for ByteDance-controlled applications, like TikTok, unless the application severs ties with entities that are subject to the control of a foreign adversary, like Communist China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.

• Declares international fentanyl trafficking a national emergency and directs the Treasury Department to target, sanction, and block the financial assets of criminal organizations and drug cartels involved in fentanyl trafficking.

• Ensures that Putin pays for his brutal war of aggression.

• Makes it illegal for data brokers to sell personally identifiable data of Americans to North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, or entities controlled by any of these countries.

• Imposes sanctions on ports and refineries that receive and process Iranian oil.

• Fully enforces human rights sanctions on the Iranian regime.

• Disrupts the ability of Hamas to fund terrorism and makes it harder for state sponsors of terrorism to abuse International Monetary Fund resources to finance terrorist organizations.

• Click here for the full bill text of H.R. 8038.

H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:

• Provides funding to continue efforts to counter communist China and ensure a strong deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Strengthens U.S. military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Enhances the production and development of artillery and critical munitions.

• Replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Taiwan and regional partners.

• Click here for the full bill text of H.R. 8036.

H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:

• Provides funding to support Israel in its effort to defend itself against Iran and its proxies, and to reimburse U.S. military operations in response to recent attacks.

• Replenishes the Iron Dome and David’s Sling missile defense systems.

• Prohibits funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

• Supports current U.S. military operations in the region.

• Enhances the production and development of artillery and critical munitions.

• Click here for the full bill text of H.R. 8034.

H.R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:

• Provides funding to address the conflict in Ukraine and assist our regional partners as they counter Russia, much of which will be used for the replenishment of U.S. weapons, stocks, and facilities.

• Increases oversight and accountability of aid and equipment provided to Ukraine.

• Bolsters oversight through in-person monitoring requirements.

• Requires partners and allies to pay their fair share through cost-matching requirements.

• Mandates agreement on repayment for economic support by the government of Ukraine.

• Includes a loan structure, along with requirements for enhanced strategy and accountability, which is necessary to ensure that funding is provided for a clear, achievable purpose and not a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Click here for the full bill text of H.R. 8035.

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.

Boozman, Cardin Laud Congressional Passage of Legislation Protecting Migratory Birds

Photo by Steve Smith

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), senior members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, applauded passage of bipartisan legislation that will enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support conservation partners along migratory flyways throughout the Western Hemisphere. The Senate approved the bill Wednesday and it now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. 

“I applaud Senate passage of legislation to protect migratory birds. This will allow us to build on the success we’ve seen from this program and provide certainty for vulnerable bird populations for generations to come,” said Boozman, a Migratory Bird Conservation Co-Chair.

“I am glad to see the Senate take swift action to pass Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancement Act. This bill makes thoughtful improvements to a critical bird habitat conservation program at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The unique program helps to ensure that in the backyard birds we know and love in Maryland like the Baltimore Oriole have places to nest and winter along their full migratory journey,” Cardin said. “Support for this important conservation program has been a cornerstone of my environmental work in the Senate, but I am not done yet. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the program’s funding levels continue to keep pace with its important work.” 

The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Act, formerly the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, has a proven track record of reversing habitat loss and advancing conservation strategies for the hundreds of species of birds considered neotropical migrants—birds that spend summers in North America and winter in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since 2002, the program has provided more than $89 million in grants to support 717 projects across five million acres of bird habitat in 43 countries. The federal investment in this program is leveraged to spur significant private partner funding.

Walton Family Foundation bolsters climate efforts with 2 new fellows

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

Bentonville-based Walton Family Foundation (WFF) announced two new fellows on Thursday (April 18): Emily Fairfax and Meaghan Parker.

Fairfax is an assistant professor of geography at the University of Minnesota. Parker is a Public Policy Fellow at the Wilson Center, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C. She previously led the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ).

According to a news release, the fellows will leverage their experience in tackling and reporting on the climate crisis.

Walton Family Foundation bolsters climate efforts with 2 new fellows

Womack cosponsored measures combatting Iran’s unprovoked attack on Israel pass the House

Washington, DC—April 18, 2024…In response to Iran’s unprovoked attack on Israel last weekend, House Republicans passed a slew of legislation to deter further aggression from Iran and support our ally, Israel. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) supported every bill and is a cosponsor of two of them: H.R. 5947, To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, which passed the House of Representatives yesterday, and H. Res. 1143, Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel, which passed today. 

Congressman Womack said, “Iran, the leading state sponsor of terror and brazen human rights abuser, hasn’t changed their ultimate goal – destroying the State of Israel. House Republicans have stepped up where the Biden Administration has fallen short. Advancing legislation this week to deter further aggression from Iran is our strategic and moral obligation to our friend and ally. The United States must continue to stand in unwavering support of Israel in their fight to protect their people and rid the world of evil terrorists.” 

Bill breakdowns: 

• H.R. 5947, To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran: In September 2023, the Biden Administration unfroze $6 billion in Iranian funds as part of a prisoner swap, allowing funds in South Korea and Qatar to be released to Iran for humanitarian needs. As everyone knows, money is fungible, meaning releasing money for humanitarian purposes allow Iran to shift money programmed for that purpose directly to support terrorism. In November 2023, the House passed HR 5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which imposed sanctions on financial institutions engaging in transactions with the banks holding these funds. This bill would rescind the waiver used to unfreeze these funds in the first place, limiting the president’s ability to exercise the waiver in the future. (Womack Cosponsor)

• H. Res. 1143, Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel: Condemns Iran’s recent attacks on Israel, reaffirms and supports Israel’s right to self-defense, and urges full enforcement of the United States’ sanctions and export controls against Iran. (Womack Cosponsor)

• H.R. 6046, Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act: Requires the Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the “Houthis”, as a foreign terrorist organization under the Immigration and Nationality Act and imposes sanctions on the Houthis and its affiliates.

• H.R. 6323, Iran Counterterrorism Act: Requires Iran to have ceased support for acts of international terrorism as a condition for the President to waive secondary sanctions imposed with respect to the country. Also provides for a congressional review process for national security interest waivers (issued by OFAC) of these sanctions. 

• H.R. 4691, Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act: Establishes a review period for Congress to examine executive actions that ease or waive sanctions on Iran, requires the President to submit a report to Congress detailing the Administration’s proposed action and how it affects the United States’ national security and foreign policy interests in relation to Iran, and establishes expedited legislative procedures by which both chambers of Congress may pass a joint approval or disapproval resolution allowing or prohibiting the President’s actions with respect to Iran.

Saline County 4-H Robotics Club partners with Easterseals Arkansas to construct assistive technology device

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas 4-H members keep their hands and minds busy with a variety of science projects, part of the youth development program’s emphasis on STEM education. One such project found Saline County 4-H SeaCow Robotics Club members putting together a Voice It© assistive technology device at Easterseals in Little Rock.

HELPING HANDS — Katie West, Saline County extension 4-H agent, and Tamara Wald, parent volunteer for the SeaCow Robotics Club, look on as Wald's sons Issac and Luke get started with the video instruction portion of the Voice It© assembly. (Division of Agriculture photo.) 

Clad in their signature black and white checkerboard pants, SeaCow Robotics Club members Kyri Collins, Abby Wald, Issac Wald, Luke Wald and Sarah Wald, 4-H parent Brandon Collins, and coaches Mike Katsen, Stacy Statler and Tamara Wald gathered with Easterseals Arkansas staff to construct the device on April 5.

“Through our partnership with the SeaCow Robotics Club, we hope to shed light on an exciting opportunity for Arkansas school districts to collaborate with their Robotics, East, or STEM programs in order to assemble assistive technology devices,” said Katelynn Estes, doctor of occupational therapy and assistive technology specialist for Easterseals Arkansas Outreach Program and Technology Services. “This provides educational benefits for both the students receiving the device and for the students assembling the device.”

Estes said the Voice It© device reads RFID, or radio frequency identification, tags. These tags can be placed within everyday objects, tactile symbols, picture cards and more. When the Voice It© scans the tag, it speaks a word or phrase out loud using a prerecorded voice.

“For example, if a user has a tactile symbol representing the word ‘more’ with an RFID card installed, they can use the Voice It© in combination with the tactile symbol to speak the word ‘more,’” Estes said. “The Voice It© can also help individuals with low vision identify common objects around their home, school or work environment, such as medicine bottles.”

Tamara Wald, an occupational therapist and parent volunteer, said she was inspired to get involved after attending a course at Easterseals about helping children with multiple disabilities access assistive technology.

“I thought, ‘Why can’t our robotics club help them produce this assistive technology to get it in the hands of more children?’” Tamara said. “They told us there’s not enough of this technology to go around, especially when it comes to some of the 3-D printed items. We’re learning about 3-D printing as a club, so why not try to partner together? What more practical need is there than helping children?”

Some assembly required

Estes said that the assembled Voice It© device, made by the company VolkSwitch, is not available for purchase. However, the device’s design is available for free under a Creative Commons License. Estes said she 3-D printed many parts for the device, including the casing, which helped save on cost, as did the 4-H members’ assembly.

To assemble the device, 4-H members worked on its electrical circuitry, wired it for audio output, installed its battery, configured the device’s software and more.

“The student volunteers also installed feet on the device, verified it was working as expected and ‘wrote’ RFID tags for our Project Core Symbols,” Estes said.

The Project Core Symbols are a set of 3-D, tactile symbols that represent the 36 words in the Universal Core vocabulary, created by The Center for Literacy and Disability Studies and also licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Estes said that thanks to the collaboration between the SeaCow Robotics Club and Easterseals Outreach Program and Technology Services, the Voice It© device will be available for public school districts in Arkansas to checkout, giving students an opportunity to try out the device before schools invest in purchasing one.  

“Through Outreach, we are able to assist public schools and coach teams through a process where they identify features of technology that a particular student requires,” Estes said. “We point them towards specific devices that match the student’s needs, and then the schools may borrow the device in order to ensure data supports the use of the assistive technology. Eventually, they will need to acquire the technology permanently for that student if the trial is successful.”

‘Something for everyone’ in 4-H

Katie West, Saline County extension 4-H agent, said community service projects like this partnership with Easterseals are an important part of 4-H programming.

“Community service brings the children in and makes them feel like a part of that community,” West said. “This helps them become the citizens we need them to be later on, and they’re more likely to lead and figure out what problems they want to address when they’re older.”

Science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — education is one of the three mission mandates that all Arkansas 4-H project work falls within, West said.

“We have natural resources, wildlife, forestry, electronics — there’s a wide range of programs and activities that children can do,” she said. “This group does robotics, so they’re actually learning technology and coding as well as engineering and how to get things to work.”

Wald said her children have enjoyed the variety of activities and opportunities available in their local 4-H club.

“We are interested in so many things in my family,” Wald said. “Not only does my family participate in the robotics program, but we are also part of a 4-H science club in Bryant, which is led by our wonderful teacher Kristin Higgins, who works in the state extension office. I think 4-H has really opened doors for my children and broadened their horizons to different topics.”  

In just one day, West said her 4-H members were involved in three different competitions: the SeaPerch Challenge, which is an underwater robotics competition, a shooting sports competition, and the 4-H Ross Photography Contest.

“All of these were very different, and so are the children who were interested in these competitions,” West said. “Because of that variety, as they grow, they’re able to figure out what might be their best subject. They can get a lot of scholarships and learn new things as they go.

“They won’t start off knowing exactly what they want to be when they grow up, but with 4-H, they can try everything out, see what works and what doesn’t, and know more about what they are good at by the time they’re an adult,” West said.

Mention of product names does not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

For more information about Arkansas 4-H, visit 4h.uada.edu or contact your county 4-H agent at uaex.uada.edu/counties/.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. 

Our House celebrates opening of $16m expansion

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

Our House, a local nonprofit assisting unhoused individuals and those at-risk of being unhoused, celebrated the completion of a $16-million dollar expansion in Little Rock Wednesday morning with an opening ceremony.

Executive Director Ben Goodwin says the community was key to making the expansion a reality.

“We are so fortunate to have such broad and deep support from the community," said Goodwin. "They bought into this vision and the need, the need to serve more people, and the vision that we can serve them in a way that changes their life for the better. And they came out to celebrate with us today, and show it's just a great celebration of our community's support for their neighbors, and we're excited to get started.”

Our House celebrates opening of $16m expansion

Nathan Treece/Little Rock Public Radio

Our House Executive Director Ben Goodwin speaks at the grand opening of the non-profit's $16 million expansion

Arkansas Supreme Court to allow touch DNA testing to move forward in West Memphis Three case

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday (April 18) that advanced touch DNA testing can be done on evidence in the “West Memphis Three” case. The decision was a reversal of Crittenden County Circuit Court Judge Tonya Alexander who in 2022 denied a motion for the DNA testing of the ligatures that bound the victims in the case.

Alexander ruled that since Damien Echols was not in prison anymore he could not seek relief in the form of DNA testing. Majority opinion writer Judge Karen Baker said the statute does not require a person to be incarcerated to seek relief under its provisions.

“Here, the plain language in sections 16-112-201 and -202 unambiguously permits ‘a person convicted of a crime’ to petition for additional DNA testing to demonstrate the person’s actual innocence pursuant to Act 1780. This language imposes no requirement that a petitioner must be in state custody to seek relief pursuant to Act 1780, and we decline to CR-22-670 13 read such a requirement into the statutes,” Baker wrote.

Arkansas Supreme Court to allow touch DNA testing to move forward in West Memphis Three case

Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr., were convicted of the murders of three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis in 1993.

Western Conference: NALC’s Rollins to discuss future of pesticide use in the U.S.

By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Court decisions and policymakers are reshaping pesticide use in the United States, and a recent California proposal, the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for California, is designed to phase out certain pesticides altogether.

National Ag Law Center's Brigit Rollins: "crucial" for producers to stay on top of pesticide developments (U of A System Division of Agriculture file photo)

“California’s proposed policy would result in the state phasing out use of ‘high-risk’ pesticides by 2050,” Brigit Rollins said. “If that policy comes to fruition, it will of course have major ramifications for Western producers.”

Rollins will examine what is on the horizon for Western pesticide use during the NALC’s Western Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference. Her session, “The Future of Pesticides in the Western States: The Latest Legal Developments & Trends,” will discuss the California proposal and other policy developments from recent years that could shake up Western agriculture.

The conference will be held June 13-14 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Registration is online, and a livestream option for the program is available.

“Over the last several years, we’ve seen a series of court decisions, state laws and new federal policy that have influenced pesticide use,” Brigit Rollins, staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center, said. “For producers, staying on top of these changes, such as the recent ruling out of a federal court in Arizona, is crucial.”

The Feb. 6 decision from the U.S. District Court of Arizona resulted in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency vacating the 2020 registration allowing over-the-top use of dicamba-based pesticides XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium. Following the federal court’s ruling, EPA released a memo stating that farmers are able to use existing dicamba stocks during the 2024 growing season.

During her session, Rollins will also explain EPA’s new policy approach for protecting endangered species from pesticide exposure, and what those changes could mean for pesticide users.

“The EPA’s new policy for how it carries out its Endangered Species Act responsibilities holds enormous weight for the future of pesticide use,” Rollins said. “As the EPA further integrates pesticide registration with the ESA, it won’t be surprising to see greater restrictions on pesticide use coming down the line as a result. I look forward to providing an update on the latest in pesticide use at the 2nd Annual Western Conference.”

Continuing education available

The Western Conference has been approved for continuing legal education credit in Nevada, and will be submitted for CLE approval in Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon and Utah. The conference has also been approved for continuing education by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. The NALC will coordinate with attendees to self-report in other states.

For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on X. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For updates on agricultural law and policy developments, subscribe free of charge to The Feed, the NALC’s twice-monthly newsletter highlighting recent legal developments facing agriculture.

About the National Agricultural Law Center

The National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, state and federal policymakers, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.

The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.

House passes Westerman cosponsored bills to combat Iranian aggression

U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 6046 and H.R. 5947, legislation cosponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) to comprehensively address the threat posed by Iran. Westerman released the following statement in support of the bills:

“Iran is one of the world’s foremost sponsors of terrorism. The Obama Administration set an unruly precedent of appeasing Iran that the Biden Administration has compounded. This weakness has emboldened Iran to continue launching unjustified attacks against Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East, just as we saw this past weekend. House Republicans acted swiftly this week with a slate of bills to stand with Israel and respond to Iran’s unprecedented attacks. I was proud to support these measures to further block Iran’s ability to continue financing these heinous attacks.”

BACKGROUND:
In 2021, the Biden Administration wrongfully removed the Iran-backed Houthis’ designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). Since then, the Houthis have increased their terrorist activities, including their ongoing missile and drone attacks against global shipping.

• H.R.  6046 would mandate the reimposition of the FTO and SDGT designations on the Houthis.

Since President Biden took office, the Biden Administration has used certain waivers and licenses related to Iran to transfer $6 billion in Iranian funds to restricted accounts in Qatar and $10 billion in payments from Iraq. The Iranian regime is highly skilled in evasion, cutting corners, and blurring lines to hide the true use of these funds, and the Biden Administration is compliant and complicit in these efforts. Any funding to Iran, even if nominally in a restricted account, frees up more money for Iran to use on malign activities. Iran is too potent a threat to the United States and our partners to allow these waivers to exist any longer.

• H.R. 5947 would eliminate any of these sanction waivers and licenses related to Iran.

National Weather Service Severe Weather Briefing

A cold front will push through Arkansas from the Plains on Thursday. Ahead of the front, very warm conditions/well above normal temperatures will exist, creating a very unstable environment.

A broken line of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across the northwest counties Thursday afternoon. The line is then expected to move towards central and northeastern locations Thursday evening and night. There are indications the line will gradually weaken after the sun sets, and daytime heating is lost.

Large hail and damaging winds are the primary concerns, especially across northern and extreme western parts of the state. A low, but non-zero tornado chances exists across the northeastern half of the state.

Claude Kennedy, retired cotton station director, former ASCS regional director, passes away at 82

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

MARIANNA, Ark.  — The Cotton Research Station at Marianna may bear Lon Mann’s name, but the place belonged to Claude Kennedy.

“He loved his station. It was personal for him,” said Chuck Culver, director of external relations for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Kennedy, retired resident director of the station, passed away April 3. He was 82. The station is part of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the Division of Agriculture.

Kennedy, with his radiant smile and outstretched hands, would welcome visitors and instantly make them feel at home. More often than not, a first-time visitor would get a tour and offer of lunch, regardless of what else was on Kennedy’s calendar that day. 

Claude Kennedy in the garden. This photo appeared in the Spring 2000 Arkansas Land & Life magazine. (Image by Kelly Quinn).

“Claude was a true Southern gentleman who took his job very seriously,” said Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System. Fields said Kennedy was one of the first people he met on becoming dean of the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

“In May of 2018, in my first couple of weeks, he gave me a tour of the station,” Fields said. “I recall how much pride he took in the accomplishments of the center and its history. When you visited the station, you got a history lesson and he took a lot of time and pride in explaining all that the station meant to agriculture and the community.”

Nathan Slaton, assistant director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, said that “Claude was more than the resident director at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station. He loved agriculture and was the resident historian and welcoming committee for anyone who visited the station. His contributions to the Cotton Research Station will be fondly remembered and his southern charm and hospitality and will be dearly missed.”

Kennedy grew up on a Lee County farm near Marianna and later ran the family farm raising cotton, soybeans and beef cattle. He earned a bachelor of science in agronomy at Tennessee A&I in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1987, Kennedy was called by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., to serve as the Southeast area director for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He served through the Reagan and George H.W. Bush presidencies, administering farm programs in an area that included 12 states and U.S. territories in the Caribbean.

Kennedy returned home to Arkansas in August 1993 to work as a research specialist for what was then known as the Cotton Branch Experiment Station, working on soybean performance testing for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. In January 1995 he moved from the division’s research arm to its outreach component, the Cooperative Extension Service. There Kennedy worked as an extension agent serving agriculture and the community.

In July 2000, Kennedy was appointed resident director of the Cotton  Research Station. His job was more than just cotton, being involved in crop research activities on soybeans, wheat, corn cultivars and grain sorghum in support of Division of Agriculture scientists.

The Cotton Research Station was established in 1925 making it one of the oldest stations in the Division of Agriculture. In September 2005 the station was renamed the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station. It consists of more than 600 acres of farmland located about three miles north of Marianna.

During Kennedy’s tenure as director, irrigated acres at the station increased from 80 to 515, which required precision grading of the additional acreage, installing more than 10,000 feet of underground pipe and adding seven wells. The station has seen more than $1.2 million in added office and equipment storage space, including the Dan Felton, Jr., Building. The station has also seen more than $200,000 in added research and production equipment.

Tom Barber, interim associate vice president-extension for agriculture and natural resources, worked closely with Kennedy. Kennedy wasn’t one to seek awards or flaunt ones he’d earned.

“The reward, in his mind, was seeing everyone successful at that station,” Barber said.

Barber was one of many who had applied research projects at the station, in his previous roles as extension cotton agronomist and weed scientist.

“Whether it was mine or someone else’s research, Claude took pride in that work. He wanted to make sure it was done right,” Barber said. “His willingness to let us work there for all these years really helped develop my career.

“Claude was instrumental in the development of many of our extension recommendations,” he said. “So much of our work, especially in cotton, was done at that station.”

Kennedy also ensured that the station presented its best face to the public, Barber said.

“He was out there at daylight, and long after we left, he was out there weeding the flower beds or watering the crape myrtles,” he said. “You couldn’t make him go home.

“He really believed in the mission and wanted to help farmers in the area. You could tell that he lived it,” Barber said. “Claude was one of those individuals who had a heart to serve and it was easy to recognize.”

Kennedy was very active in community development. He was member in the Marianna Rotary Club, past president of the local Chamber of Commerce, Junior Warden at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and served on many local boards and committees.

A memorial service set for Friday, April 19, at Marianna Civic Center. He is survived by his wife, Jewell, daughters, step-daughters, a niece, nephews and grandchildren.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

ARDOT kicks off National Work Zone Awareness Week

KUAR | By Nathan Treece, Seth Hooker

The Arkansas Department of Transportation, or ARDOT, kicked off National Work Zone Awareness Week by debuting some further actions the department is taking to keep crews safe on state highways.

Marie Holder, an Arkansas Highway Commission member, said the department continues to work towards zero work zone fatalities.

“Since 1970, 60 ARDOT employees have been lost in work-related accidents,” Holder said. “That’s 60 employees—and friends—who did not come home at the end of their work day. These employees made the ultimate sacrifice while performing their job duties to keep the road safe for the people of Arkansas.”

ARDOT kicks off National Work Zone Awareness Week

Nathan Treece/Little Rock Public Radio

Traffic cones bear the names of Arkansas construction workers killed while on the job on state highways.