Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Dec. 22, 2024! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

It was a mad dash on Capitol Hill to complete legislative work before the holidays.

The Senate and House of Representatives addressed the final priorities of the year, including a stopgap funding package preventing a government shutdown.

Part of that legislation includes $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers as the agriculture industry continues dealing with high input costs and declining net farm incomes.

STORY: Bill signed into law Saturday sets aside $10B in economic assistance for farmers

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., watched the Senate pass two of his measures, sending the bills to the White House for President Joe Biden's signature.

The Senate approved a bipartisan outdoor recreation package and legislation dedicating the Kingsland post office after country music icon Johnny Cash.

Westerman, of Hot Springs, served as lead sponsor of both measures.

STORY: U.S. Senate approves Westerman-led outdoor recreation measure

STORY: Bill to rename Kingsland post office for Johnny Cash advances to president's desk

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" The program is taking a break for the holidays, but it will return in 2025 with new episodes covering the decisions and decision-makers impacting Arkansas.

You can stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can get in touch with me on social media; I'm now posting on Bluesky.

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Dec. 15, 2024! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., is preparing to lead an important House of Representatives committee.

The House Republican Steering Committee has recommended Hill, of Little Rock, as the next chair of the House Financial Resources Committee. A former banker, Hill has served as the committee's vice chair in the current Congress.

STORY: Hill getting ready to wield gavel for House Financial Services Committee

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., ended his bid to lead the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Crawford, of Jonesboro, launched his run for the seat in March as the committee's current chair, Missouri Republican Sam Graves, sought a waiver to bypass a House GOP rule limiting time as a committee's top Republican member.

The steering panel granted such a waiver to Graves, allowing him to pursue another two-year term holding the gavel.

STORY: Crawford bows out of House committee chair race

Arkansans are among those monitoring Syria following the collapse of Bashar Assad's regime.

The Syrian Emergency Task Force — which has an office in Little Rock — is a nonprofit organization vocal about ending the civil war and assisting Syrians impacted by the conflict.

STORY: Arkansans eager over Syria’s future following Assad’s fall

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can get in touch with me on social media; I'm now posting on Bluesky.

"Arkies in the Beltway" is back with a new episode for the week of Dec. 8, 2024! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansas leading the discussions.

Congress is sprinting to complete its work before the holidays.

The Senate and House of Representatives have a full agenda of things to accomplish before Dec. 20, including action for farm bill programs addressing nutrition, rural development and agriculture.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined 16 other Republican governors in a letter last Monday calling on Congress to reauthorize these programs.

STORY: Sanders among GOP governors calling for farm bill action

The House Intelligence Committee has released a report stating it is "increasingly likely" that a foreign adversary is responsible for anomalous health incidents involving American diplomats and their families.

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., is leading the committee's investigative efforts on these matters.

STORY: Crawford-led report: Foreign adversary “very likely” responsible for health incidents among diplomats

Another Arkansan is set to become an ambassador in the incoming presidential administration.

President-elect Donald Trump has named investment banker Warren Stephens as the next ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Stephens currently serves as president and CEO of Stephens Inc., a privately held investment firm based in Little Rock.

Trump in November named former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as the next ambassador to Israel.

STORY: Trump names Warren Stephens as next U.K. ambassador

Thank you for supporting "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can track what's happening in the nation's capital by following me on social media, including on Bluesky.