Senators forward U.S. attorney picks
WASHINGTON -- The state's two U.S. senators, John Boozman and Tom Cotton, have forwarded "a good list" of potential U.S. attorneys to the White House, but they don't know when the administration will make a decision on it, Boozman said Thursday.
"I think that hopefully it won't be very long in the future as far as them making a final decision and then making an announcement," the Republican from Rogers said of filling the positions.
Neither lawmaker will reveal who is on the short list or the number of people being considered.
"We were looking for good, accomplished, experienced lawyers who we thought would be effective in representing the interests of the United States and keeping the people of Arkansas safe, but I don't want to comment about where things are in the process," Cotton said.
"Ultimately this is the president's decision," the Republican from Dardanelle said.
Arkansas has Eastern and Western districts.
City's bike-sharing push pleases Hill
U.S. Rep. French Hill touted Conway's new public bicycle-sharing program in a speech on the House floor last week.
"As a longtime biker, I'm pleased to see the city work to provide an alternative and convenient source of transportation for residents of Conway to help relieve congestion and promote a healthier city," the Republican from Little Rock said.
The program is "one more step on the path towards fulfilling the mayor's vision of a vibrant healthy and bike-friendly city," he added.
The lawmaker also said May was National Bike Month and noted his past board membership on Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas.
The organization, launched in 1998, promotes safe cycling and campaigns for "bike-friendly policy and legislation," its website states.
Roads, broadband cast as bipartisan
Sen. John Boozman spoke at a conservative think tank Thursday, telling the crowd that he believes that Republicans and Democrats will unite to approve spending on roads, bridges and broadband access.
He pointed to past education and transportation legislation as examples of bipartisan proposals that have passed in recent years.
When Democrats and Republicans work together, "we truly can get some really important, some big things done. These aren't glamorous things, but they really are the underpinning of the country," he said.
Infrastructure is crucial, he said.
"I would argue that the reason that we're the great country that we are is the fact that we do have tremendous infrastructure.
"Places like Brazil, you know, they've got great resources, they've got a cheap workforce, they've got energy. They've got everything you need, but they don't have any infrastructure. They can't transport the products.
The Hudson Institute event was titled "Strengthening America's Infrastructure: What's Next." It included a panel discussion with current and former city, state and federal officials.
Crawford tells how sergeant died in '52
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford paid tribute to Staff Sgt. Robert Dale Van Fossen, an Arkansan who died while serving his country in 1952.
In a speech on the House floor last week, the Republican from Jonesboro shared the serviceman's story.
A member of the U.S. Air Force, Van Fossen was on board a Douglas C-124A-DL Globemaster II that crashed while flying between Air Force bases in Washington state and Alaska.
Fifty-two people died.
Nearly 60 years after, the crew of an Alaska National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter spotted wreckage roughly 50 miles east of Anchorage.
Two years later, the remains of 17 of the 52 service members were recovered, including the former Greenbrier resident.
Last month, Van Fossen was finally laid to rest in Arkansas.
Crawford said he wanted to honor Van Fossen's memory and "celebrate his return home after more than half a century."
Trade group honors state congressmen
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman picked up his National Association of Manufacturers' Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence during a presentation Monday at the Domtar pulp mill in Ashdown.
The industry trade group announced Sept. 29 that it would give the award to Westerman and nearly 250 other congressmen, including the three others from Arkansas: Reps. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro, French Hill of Little Rock and Steve Womack of Rogers.
In a letter, the group praised Westerman and the others for the stands they have taken on issues.
"Your favorable votes on key manufacturing issues helped advance the effort to make the United States the best place in the world to manufacture and attract foreign investment, expand access to global markets, develop a 21st-century workforce and promote innovation, investment and productivity," it said.
Nearly every Republican lawmaker was honored; only a handful of Democrats made the cut.
Cotton joins in rich White House fare
Sen. Tom Cotton's dinner Tuesday evening with President Donald Trump wasn't a light meal, if the menu is any indication.
The White House menu that night featured "Ten Herb Ravioli Finished with Lemon Ricotta and a Roasted Tomato Ragout," according to the pool reporter who covered the visit.
That was followed by American Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Choron Sauce; Glazed Market Vegetables and Pomme Souffle.
For those with a sweet tooth, the chefs served a Chocolate Candy Bar Nougat Glace for dessert.
Beverages included water and Diet Coke, the reporter added.
The main topic of conversation was foreign policy, according to Cotton.
Trump's other dinner guests that evening included Republican Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Todd Young of Indiana and Cory Gardner of Colorado; and U.S. Reps. Francis Rooney of Florida and Lee Zeldin of New York.
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or flockwood@arkansasonline.com. Want the latest from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Washington bureau? It's available on Twitter, @LockwoodFrank.
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