Cotton attending security meeting
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton was scheduled to spend this weekend in Germany attending the annual Munich Security Conference, which began Friday and is to end today.
The Republican from Dardanelle is a member of the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee. He was part of a delegation led by the committee’s chairman, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Overall, nine senators were expected to make the trip.
Held at the five-star Hotel Bayerischer Hof, the threeday event’s attendees include current and former Cabinet members, ambassadors, military brass, royalty and heads of state.
The conference’s chairman, Wolfgang Ischinger, gave a bleak assessment of things in a column posted online, writing: “The international order may be in its worst shape since the end of the Cold War. Those trying to keep the peace are overwhelmed and often helpless in the face of seemingly endless crises and reckless spoilers. When world leaders convene in Germany for the 52nd Munich Security Conference this weekend, they will attempt to chart a path through some very dangerous territory.”
Hill’s ‘Fleece’ goes to buildings agency
Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District Rep. French Hill has given his latest “Golden Fleece” award to the General Services Administration, accusing the federal agency of mismanaging a $75 million building project.
The General Services Administration “designs, builds and manages” federal buildings, but communications failures have “created inefficiencies and security risks,” according to a Government Accountability Office report released in December.
The GAO, which audits and investigates matters for Congress, said the General Services Administration failed to properly consult with the Federal Protective Service, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, before building the $75 million facility.
As a result, the building was unsuitable for use as a law enforcement facility, the Federal Protective Service alleged.
Senator’s staff sets constituent visits
Members of U.S. Sen. John Boozman’s staff will meet with Arkansas constituents this week in several cities. The senator’s “mobile office” will be Tuesday from 10 a.m.to noon at the Arkadelphia Senior Center, 1305 N. 10th St., Arkadelphia; Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chappell Civic Center, 103 N. Edmonds Ave., McCrory; and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jacksonville Museum of Military History, 100 Veterans Circle, Jacksonville.
Boozman met with numerous Arkansans last week, including: Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County President/CEO Lou Ann Nisbett, and the alliance’s director of economic development, Bryan Barnhouse; White Hall Mayor Noel Foster; White Hall Alderman David Beck; and Nancy McNew of the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, he visited with Fort Smith schools lead nurse Valerie Beshears and with members of the Arkansas Rural Water Association. Others stopping by included John English, dean, University of Arkansas College of Engineering; University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Engineering Dean Larry Whitman; Arkansas State Forester Joe Fox; Northwest Arkansas Community College leaders; Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin; members of the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard; Gene Higginbotham of the Arkansas Waterways Commission; U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah James; administrator Gayle Smith of the U.S. Agency for International Development; and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald.
Westerman plans state coffee events
Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District Rep. Bruce Westerman will hold several “Coffee with the Congressman” events later this month.
The Republican from Hot Springs says the events give constituents a chance to speak directly with him “about the issues facing the 4th District.”
The next coffee session takes place Thursday from 8-9 a.m. at the Crossett Economic Development Building, 125 Main St., Crossett. Two other coffee meetings are scheduled for Feb. 22. The first, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. will take place at the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce, 101 N. Johnson St., Clarksville; and the second will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce, 2011 Arkansas 22 West, Dardanelle. More information about the events is available by visiting westerman.house.gov or by calling (501) 609-9796.
Last week, Westerman met with representatives of the Arkansas Rice Growers Association, the Pulp and Paperwork’s Resource Council and the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, the Arkansas Rural Water Association, the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard and the National Association of State Foresters.
Van Buren banquet to feature Womack
On Monday, Arkansas 3rd Congressional District Rep. Steve Womack will speak at the Kibler Baptist Circle of Service Banquet at the Van Buren High School Commons, 2001 Pointer Trail East in Van Buren. The dinner is to start at 6:15 p.m.
On Tuesday, from 11 a.m.to noon, he is to visit the Russellville Regional Airport, 1759 Airport Road, Russellville.
On Wednesday, from 4-6 p.m., the Republican from Rogers is holding a town hall meeting in Riordan Hall, 3 Riordan Drive, Bella Vista.
Womack will also have a “Coffee with the Congressman” event Thursday from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Greenwood Police Department’s training room, 250 Old Hackett Road, Greenwood.
Planning to visit the nation’s capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or flockwood@arkansasonline.com.