Washington news in brief

Caucus seeks funds for Internet access

WASHINGTON — When President Donald Trump unveils an infrastructure package, leaders of the Senate Broadband Caucus want it to include money for better Internet access.

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, a caucus co-chairman and Arkansas’ senior senator, sent a letter last week urging the White House to make the category a priority.

The Republican from Rogers was joined by Sens. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.; Angus King, I-Maine; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

“Our rural communities have connectivity needs that are not being met, limiting economic opportunity and growth,” the Jan. 17 letter stated. “In parts of the country where geography or population density make deploying and maintaining broadband networks a significant challenge, stand-alone support will help bring economic and social benefits for rural consumers.”

On Jan. 8, Trump signed an executive order calling on agencies to “accelerate the deployment and adoption of affordable, reliable, modern high-speed broadband connectivity in rural America, including rural homes, farms, small businesses, manufacturing and production sites, tribal communities, transportation systems, and health care and education facilities.”

Cotton immigration stance irking some

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton’s opposition to existing immigration policy is really starting to annoy Capitol Hill Democrats, Politico reports.

And that’s fine with Cotton.

A story Thursday began: “Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told President Donald Trump this week that there will be no deal on Dreamers if hard-line conservative GOP Sen. Tom Cotton is involved, according to several congressional sources.”

The Republican from Dardanelle “has become a focus of particular Senate Democrats’ ire. There seems to be something about the Arkansas Republican that especially angers them, and they’re not shy about letting Trump know,” the Washington political publication wrote.

Cotton opposes standalone legislation that would benefit hundreds of thousands of young adults who are in the U.S. illegally after being brought into the country as children.

He has insisted that any such legislation include provisions eliminating the nation’s “diversity lottery” and ending “chain migration” — which enables immigrants’ extended family members to eventually come to the U.S. He also wants the nation to adopt an immigration system that makes it harder for unskilled workers to enter the country.

On Friday, Cotton emailed the article to the media with the headline: ICYMI [In Case You Missed It]: Tom Cotton is Too Tough for Chuck Schumer.

Hill named to panel on Japan friendship

U.S. Rep. French Hill has been appointed to serve on the Japan-United States Friendship Commission.

Created by an act of Congress in 1975, the independent agency oversees a trust fund that provides money “for the promotion of scholarly, cultural and public affairs activities between the two countries,” the organization’s website states.

Its mission is “to promote partnerships that advance common interests and aims to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship through educational, cultural, and intellectual exchange,” the group said.

Noting Arkansas’ trade ties to the Asian nation, Hill said, “Japan and the United States share a vital partnership, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on this worthy commission.”

During the administration of George H.W. Bush, Hill served as deputy assistant secretary of the treasury for corporate finance. In that role, he served as a negotiator during trade talks between the U.S. and Japan.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who appointed Hill to the commission, cited Hill’s past work in a news release announcing the move.

“Representative Hill’s background representing the United States in the historic bilateral talks with Japan known as the Structural Impediments Initiative (SII) and his work strengthening U.S.-partnerships around the globe make him a great addition to this commission,” Ryan said. “I appreciate his willingness to serve, and I’m confident he will do a great job helping to advance our U.S.-Japan relationship.”

Planning to visit the nation’s capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or flockwood@arkansas online.com. Want the latest from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Washington bureau? It’s available on Twitter, @LockwoodFrank.

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