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Womack: Antarctica trip “life-changing experience,” opportunity to understand research
WASHINGTON -- In a cabinet in U.S. Rep. Steve Womack's Capitol Hill office is what appears to be a seemingly empty vial.
Stories by Alex Thomas
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Arkies in the Beltway | Week of Dec. 3, 2023
The historic ouster of New York Rep. George Santos capped off a busy week in Congress. Washington correspondent Alex Thomas recaps the week in the latest editi…
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Subscriber ExclusiveSteve Womack, Bruce Westerman vote for removing George Santos from U.S. House
WASHINGTON -- Two Arkansas members of the U.S. House of Representatives supported expelling New York Republican George Santos from the chamber in the wake of a…
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Subscriber ExclusiveWesterman-led committee begins work on bipartisan outdoor recreation package
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee has taken the first steps in considering a legislative package addressing outdoor r…
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Subscriber ExclusiveArkansas’ U.S. Rep. Womack calls for commission to study federal finances
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., is among the lawmakers prodding Congress to address the federal budget and the nation's rising deficits amid concerns about how…
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Subscriber ExclusiveU.S. Rep. French Hill leads talk on China’s economic future
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., on Tuesday led a panel discussion concerning China's economy and perceptions of its economic future.
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U.S. House speaker to address meeting of Arkansas-based National Association of Christian Lawmakers
WASHINGTON -- The leader of the U.S. House of Representatives will speak next week before a national gathering of elected officials and others advocating for a…
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Subscriber ExclusiveWith America250 anniversary campaign underway, national leaders push for Arkansas to join celebration
WASHINGTON -- Rosie Rios remembers celebrating the United States' bicentennial as a child.
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Arkies in the Beltway | Week of Nov. 26, 2023
Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Nov. 26, 2023. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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Subscriber ExclusiveCongress buys more time to pass expensive farm bill with limited time ahead
Congress was supposed to pass a new farm bill by Sept. 30, but that did not happen.
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Arkies in the Beltway | Week of Nov. 19, 2023
With Congress agreeing last week to push back deadlines on the government spending bill until early 2024, Washington correspondent Alex Thomas talks to members…
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Subscriber ExclusiveLast minute deadlines driving congressional actions, Arkansas delegation says
WASHINGTON -- Congress tends to work up against deadlines.
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Subscriber ExclusiveTexarkana, Texas couple recounts how Arkansas friend, Westerman helped in return from Israel
WASHINGTON -- It began as a typical trip for Michael Richardson and Betty Feir.
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Subscriber ExclusiveWith farm bill setback, U.S. Senate committee continues review with look at technology
WASHINGTON -- Members of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee heard testimony Tuesday regarding the future of technology and artificia…
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Arkies in the Beltway | Week of Nov. 12, 2023
This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Nov. 12, 2023. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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Subscriber ExclusiveHeed Hamas, Iran, warn state congressmen
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., took note of FBI Director Christopher Wray's Oct. 31 appearance before the Senate Homeland Security Committee wh…
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Subscriber ExclusiveU.S. House committee advances legislation addressing Marshall Islands, other Pacific nations
The U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee took a forward step in renewing the United States' agreements with Pacific island nations, includ…
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Subscriber ExclusiveBoozman critical of White House border security request
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., challenged Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during a Senate committee hearing over a security funding request, cr…
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51,000 Arkansans enrolled in latest student loan program
More than 51,000 Arkansans are enrolled in the U.S. Department of Education's newest program directed at reducing and canceling student loan debt.
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Subscriber ExclusiveCrawford-led House Agriculture Committee working group issues report on temporary agriculture workers
WASHINGTON -- A new congressional report details problems with the federal visa program for temporary foreign workers, noting costs and regulatory complexities…
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Womack receives support from Sanders, Congressional colleagues in reelection effort
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., is racking up endorsements from leading Arkansas Republicans as the congressman from Rogers begins his re-election run.
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Cabot veteran will challenge Crawford for 1st Congressional District seat
WASHINGTON -- Next fall's matchup in Arkansas' 1st Congressional District could feature two U.S. Army veterans running for the seat.
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Arkies in the Beltway | Week of Nov. 5, 2023
Aid to Ukraine and Israel were the top issues in both chambers of Congress last week, while former Gov. Asa Hutchinson named longtime aide Alison Williams to l…
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Subscriber ExclusiveWomack’s comment about investigation draws sharp reply from Santos
U.S. Reps. Steve Womack, R-Ark., and George Santos, R-N.Y., took shots at each other on social media Thursday after the House of Representatives considered a r…
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Longtime Asa Hutchinson associate Alison Williams named new presidential campaign manager
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has named a longtime associate as the new manager of his presidential campaign.
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Subscriber ExclusiveHill returns from Ukraine, stresses importance of U.S. support in international conflicts
U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., said Wednesday that Ukraine's success in its war against Russia must continue to involve unified support from the United States …
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Hutchinson turns to longtime aide to manage campaign
The Hutchinson presidential campaign on Wednesday named Alison Williams as its new campaign manager. Williams succeeds Rob Burgess, whose final day with the ca…
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Sanders, GOP governors send letter opposing NCAA transgender policy
WASHINGTON -- Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and other Republican governors have sent a letter to an NCAA committee concerning the governing body's polic…
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U.S. Sen. John Boozman expects close examination of Biden's $105B aid request for Israel, Ukraine
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., predicts the Biden administration’s $105 billion aid request for Israel and Ukraine will not be “the final product at all” as l…
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Arkies in the Beltway | Week of Oct. 29, 2023
Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Oct. 29, 2023. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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Subscriber ExclusiveBoozman: VA accountability, transparency ‘imperative’ in agency’s success
When the U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee met last week to discuss transparency and accountability involving veterans health care facilities, Sen. John …
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Hutchinson's campaign manager leaving team; former governor still eyes White House
The presidential campaign manager for former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is departing from the campaign.
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Subscriber ExclusiveWith 'easy part' over, Arkansas’ U.S. House members look past speakership election
WASHINGTON -- When Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives elected Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson as its speaker, they managed to do something they…
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Subscriber ExclusiveArkansas’ U.S. House members back Johnson to end speakership battle
Arkansas' delegates in the U.S. House of Representatives stood behind Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson on Wednesday as House Republicans united to give Johnson the …
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Fayetteville social worker to to run against Womack for 3rd Congressional District seat
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, has a Democratic opponent for next year’s 3 rd Congressional District race.
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Fayetteville social worker eyes 3rd Congressional District seat
Democrat Caitlin Draper of Fayetteville announced Tuesday her candidacy for 3rd Congressional District, more than a month after U.S. Rep. Steve Womack launche…
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Arkies in the Beltway | Week of Oct. 22, 2023
This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Oct. 22, 2023. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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Panelists, including UAMS official, talk funding rural health research
A University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences official participated in a forum last week at the U.S. Capitol focused on National Institutes of Health funding a…
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Arkansas’ U.S. House members weigh in on speaker saga
When U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., is asked about the ongoing dilemma with the House of Representatives’ vacant speaker position, the first thing he mentions …
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Subscriber ExclusiveArkansas’ U.S. House representatives stand by choices in ongoing speakership saga
None of Arkansas' delegates in the U.S. House of Representatives changed their positions regarding the speaker vacancy on Wednesday as Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan fai…
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Subscriber ExclusiveSenator Tom Cotton unsuccessfully tries to freeze $6 billion for Iran
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., attempted Tuesday to pass legislation blocking Iran from accessing frozen assets, a move stemming from Hamas' surpr…
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Subscriber ExclusiveWomack backs Scalise over Jordan as House speaker absence continues
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., did not support Rep. Jim Jordan's bid to become the House of Representatives' next speaker as the Ohio Republican…
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Retired Army colonel eyes 2nd Congressional District seat
WASHINGTON -- A retired Army colonel has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District seat held by Repu…
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Hutchinson behind other Republican presidential candidates in campaign cash
WASHINGTON -- Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson raised nearly $640,000 during the third quarter of this year as the Arkansan continues his White House bid.
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Arkies in the Beltway | Week of Oct. 8, 2023
The U.S. House of Representatives had a historic week with last Tuesday's vote to oust Kevin McCarthy of California as speaker.
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Subscriber ExclusiveArkansas’ U.S. House members call for unity following McCarthy’s ouster
The magnitude of the U.S. House of Representatives' decision to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker didn't hit Rep. Steve Womack immediately.
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Subscriber ExclusiveArkansas’ U.S. House members stand by McCarthy amid ouster crusade
WASHINGTON -- Arkansas' delegates in the U.S. House of Representatives backed keeping Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday as the chamber's speaker as far-right Republica…
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Arkies in the Beltway I Week of Oct. 1, 2023
Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Oct. 1, 2023. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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Subscriber ExclusiveTracking foreign-owned farmland across U.S. draws testimony from Arkansas expert
An Arkansas agricultural leader appeared before the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee last week to discuss foreign ownership of private…
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Subscriber ExclusiveArkansas, New Jersey senators introduce legislation to expand mental health services for college athletes
Arkansas' U.S. Sen. John Boozman helped introduce legislation Thursday to expand a federal grant program to university initiatives addressing mental health amo…
