Washington news in brief

One town gets chat with two lawmakers

WASHINGTON -- Alma, Ark., is a small town with big-city clout in Congress.

Thanks to the way the state's congressional districts were drawn after the 2010 census, the Spinach Capital of the World now has two U.S. representatives: Steve Womack of Rogers covers one end of town; Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs handles the other.

As a result, the city's 5,575 residents have two voices in the House.

Monday, the two Republican lawmakers will hold a joint "Coffee with Your Congressman" event from 9-10 a.m. at the Alma Senior Center on 248 Collum Lane East.

The event is open to the public.

Cross Church pastor offers prayer in D.C.

The Rev. Ronnie Floyd, pastor of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas, led worshippers in prayer Thursday evening during a National Day of Prayer service that was held in the U.S. Capitol.

The former Southern Baptist Convention president spoke out against abortion and racial prejudice, the Christian Post reported, asking God to "forgive us of the deplorable, the wicked sin of killing the unborn and justifying it and rationalizing it."

Floyd also called on God to help the church "model racial unity, racial reconciliation and racial love," decrying injustice and "the wicked sin of racism," the publication said.

Some of the biggest names in the Christian conservative movement were on hand for the event, including former Focus on the Family Chairman James Dobson, Southern Baptist televangelist Charles Stanley and evangelist Anne Graham Lotz.

Earlier in the day many of them, including Floyd, attended a National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House.

The Rev. Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church near Dallas and a Conway native, stood beside President Donald Trump during the Rose Garden event, offering one of the prayers.

Cotton's talk in NYC gives view on Israel

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is scheduled to appear at The Jerusalem Post's annual conference at the Marriott Marquis in New York City this afternoon.

The Republican from Dardanelle, who serves on the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, will offer "A View of Israel from the U.S. Senate," according to the conference's website. He'll be joined by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Post columnist Herb Keinon.

The trio will appear immediately after the Post presents its Lifetime Achievement Award to former CNN talk-show host Larry King.

Founded in 1932 and originally known as The Palestine Post, the daily describes itself as "the leading Israeli English newspaper."

Activist energized after May Day rally

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville graduate Alejandro Aviles joined in Monday's May Day march in Washington, D.C., gathering at Lafayette Park in opposition to the immigration policies of President Donald Trump.

The rally, Aviles said, delivered a message to Capitol Hill, not just the White House.

"It was energetic, it was supportive of the immigrant community," he said. "I do have hope that our Arkansas members of Congress will listen to this."

Aviles, 34, knows a few things about organizing these types of events. He helped spearhead Springdale's "Rally for Comprehensive Immigration Reform" in 2006, which attracted thousands of people, according to news accounts.

Before going to Washington, Aviles served as Arkansas director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Hill adds to staff, gives a promotion

U.S. Rep. French Hill announced two staff changes Tuesday, promoting one staff member and hiring another.

Anushree Jumde, a senior district representative, is now district director of the Republican from Little Rock. She had been the acting director.

Originally from Conway, Jumde is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and the Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service. Before joining Hill's staff, she worked for Tim Griffin when he was a U.S. representative.

In other personnel moves, Ouachita Baptist University graduate John Grove is now a district representative in Hill's Little Rock office.

The Little Rock resident interned for Hill in Washington two years ago and later worked as a field representative for the Republican Party of Arkansas.

Forest group to host Westerman in N.C.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman will be the keynote speaker at the Forest Landowners Association's annual meeting May 30-June 2 in Asheville, N.C.

Originally known as the Forest Farmers Association, the association was created "for the purpose of furthering the interests of owners of timbered lands in every legitimate manner," its website said.

Scott Rowland of Magnolia is the group's president.

Westerman, who has a master's degree in forestry from Yale University, recently participated in the organization's #treechat forum, fielding questions on Twitter.

The Republican from Hot Springs got high marks from organizers.

"@RepWesterman knows his #forestry AND ... he embraces social media. Perfect fit for a #treechat Already thinking ... sequel," the group tweeted.

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.

SundayMonday on 05/07/2017

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