Op-Ed
August 24, 2012
This week I traveled our First District and listened to the challenges farm families are facing. Even though the House of Representatives did pass an important drought relief package, at every stop on my Farm Tour producers expressed the need for a five-year Farm Bill to provide security for the future. I will not stop working until a Farm Bill is signed into law. Instead of attending my party's national convention, I will be in Arkansas advocating for responsible farm policy and ensuring families are getting the help they need in the wake of devastating drought conditions.
August 17, 2012
Nothing is more important to me than passing a five year Farm Bill that gives Arkansas producers the security they need. I was proud to join Democrats and Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee to pass the Farm Bill out of committee. At a time when many Americans have lost faith in the ability of Congress to accomplish great things, the House Agriculture Committee is an example of what can be done when partisan politics are put aside in favor of sound policy.
August 10, 2012
Ninety-five percent of the world's consumers live outside of the United States. As family farmers and entrepreneurs are looking to grow our stagnant economy, international markets can play a prominent role in growing Arkansas businesses to ultimately hire new workers and get our economy moving.
August 3, 2012
Farm families across our country will see relief from EPA-mandated regulations this week because of action in the House of Representatives.
July 27, 2012
Nothing kills jobs faster than a Washington regulation. Too often federal agencies impose rules without talking to the people who will be forced to live with them. This week the House of Representatives took action to reduce the regulations small businesses face. With the passage of the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act, the House gave small business owners and job creators some relief from onerous regulations.
July 20, 2012
In a matter of weeks many current farm bill policies will expire. To protect farm families and Arkansas's rural economy, Congress must work to complete a 2012 Farm Bill. This week I joined a bipartisan group of House members urging leadership to vote on the House Farm Bill before current legislation expires.
July 13, 2012
For the better part of the last year the House Agriculture Committee has worked in a bipartisan fashion to craft a fiscally responsible Farm Bill that will work for farm families across the country. This week, Democrats and Republicans on the Agriculture Committee joined together to pass the Farm Bill out of committee. At a time when many Americans have lost faith in the ability of Congress to accomplish great things, the House Agriculture Committee is an example of what can be done when partisan politics are put aside in favor of sound policy.
July 6, 2012
Each year Independence Day is marked with fireworks, BBQ and family gatherings. Too often we forget about the significance of the day and the brave Americans who put their lives on the line to establish our nation.
June 29, 2012
The Supreme Court's ruling this week does nothing to change the fact that President Obama's healthcare mandate is not working for Arkansas. For my part, I will continue pushing for a full legislative repeal of the President's healthcare law.
June 22, 2012
In the Constitution our Founding Fathers gave Congress the authority to make laws and the President authority to enforce laws. The Constitution does not give the President the authority to pick and choose which laws are enforced, but with his reversal in immigration policy last week, that is exactly what President Obama did. Over the last few days, my office has been flooded with emails and phone calls from people who are angry that President Obama has once again circumvented the will of Congress in favor of political gain.