WASHINGTON — The four Arkansans serving in the U.S. House of Representatives addressed Arkansas business leaders on Wednesday, offering an update on their legislative priorities, policy worries and thoughts on the Republican majority’s future.
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas hosted the four lawmakers for a working breakfast at the U.S. Capitol. The meeting was part of the organizations’ annual Washington Fly-In, which also included a luncheon with Arkansas Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton.
The Arkansas congressional delegation holds a significant amount of influence on Capitol Hill. Three House members — Republican Reps. Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman — each lead congressional committees.
Both Arkansas senators also serve as committee chairs. Boozman, of Rogers, chairs the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and Cotton, of Little Rock, presides over the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., does not lead a full committee. The Rogers congressman chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee handling transportation and housing dollars.
“You are well-served by your delegation,” Womack said.
WAITING FOR THE SENATE
Hill, of Little Rock, highlighted the work of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over matters concerning banks, securities and housing.
The committee was successful last year in moving legislation regulating digital assets, culminating in the House passing these measures in July as part of “crypto week.” One bill — the GENIUS Act, which established a market structure for payment stablecoins — received President Donald Trump’s signature.
Hill, a former banker, is waiting for the Senate to finalize their version of the CLARITY Act, which would provide instructions for regulating digital commodities. The Senate Agriculture Committee approved its portion of the bill in January, but the Senate Banking Committee has yet to complete its work.
“It’s the top thing being negotiated in the Senate Banking Committee behind the scenes,” Hill said Wednesday.
Hill is also trying to reconcile differences on housing legislation. Both chambers have passed measures aimed at expediting new home construction and increasing affordable housing, but the Arkansan wants the final package to provide small community banks with regulatory and supervisory flexibility.
The House voted 390-9 in February for the Housing for the 21st Century Act. The Senate in the following month passed its 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with an 89-10 vote.
“That’s a sign that, on a bipartisan basis, there’s a real interest in trying to get something done from the supply-side point of view on improving housing, housing affordability (and) housing accessibility,” Hill said. “We believe our bill in the House does that in spades.”
Westerman, of Hot Springs, is anticipating potential Senate action for overhauling the permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects. As chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, Westerman led the push behind the SPEED Act, resulting in the House passing the legislation in December in a 221-196 vote.
Westerman previously said there have been talks with senators about a final permitting measure, with hopes of building enough bipartisan and bicameral support behind a unifying proposal.
“Every single American gets affected by delays in permitting reform,” the congressman said Wednesday. “When it comes to energy, we can’t produce the energy that we need.”
Crawford, of Jonesboro, leads the House Intelligence Committee. The panel often conducts its business in classified settings, as lawmakers handle sensitive information involving the nation’s intelligence operations. Hill also serves on this committee.
Crawford has been trying in recent weeks to get the House to unify behind renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The Senate and House agreed last week to extend the communications collection program through April 30 amid debate over protecting civil liberties.
“If we lose the authority under 702, we lose a critical tool in national security,” Crawford explained. “Why does that matter? Because about 60% of the president’s daily brief is 702-derived intelligence. It is essential.”
CRAWFORD ON AGRICULTURE POLICY
Crawford told business leaders that the House will vote next week on a measure updating some federal agriculture programs.
The House Agriculture Committee in March advanced its version of the farm bill, a legislative package with provisions concerning rural conservation and farm credit. Crawford serves on the House panel.
In previous years, the Senate and House addressed these items alongside agriculture, rural development and nutrition programs in a single, sweeping farm bill. Lawmakers, however, have not passed such a measure since December 2018, instead opting to extend the standing law.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Republicans’ sweeping tax and policy package — included language to boost commodity prices and update farm programs, yet producers will not feel the impact of these changes until October.
Crawford strayed away from offering a deep analysis of the nation’s current agriculture policies, but argued federal programs do not provide enough flexibility for modern farmers.
“We’re still tinkering around with a Depression-era farm policy model that we have revised every few years,” Crawford said. “In my opinion, it’s not adequate to meet the challenges. It doesn’t accurately reflect the economic demands of a 21st-century economy.”
American farmers have been struggling to maintain their operations due to multiple years of decreasing crop prices and elevated input costs. Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies rose 46% between 2024 and 2025, with Arkansas leading the country in bankruptcies last year with 33 filings.
WOMACK AGAINST REDISTRICTING EFFORTS
The working breakfast came after Virginia voters on Tuesday approved an amendment to the commonwealth’s constitution supporting a mid-decade redistricting effort.
Democrats currently hold six of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts. The amendment allows the Democrat-led General Assembly to draw a new temporary congressional map increasing the party’s share to 10 seats.
The referendum was a response to President Donald Trump’s nationwide redistricting campaign. The president has called on Republican state lawmakers — starting with Texas legislators — to draw new congressional districts before this year’s midterm elections to help the GOP hold its House majority.
Voters in California approved a pro-Democrat redistricting effort last November in response to Trump. Democrats also hope to win one of Utah’s four House seats after a judge last year adopted a new map with a Democrat-leaning district.
“Sometimes, we as a party are not really good at chess,” Womack said.
“We make a move thinking, ‘Oh, good for us. We create these safe seats in Texas, and we’re going to win more seats in Texas,’ and then California says, ‘Hold my beer.’”
Womack criticized the “whole redistricting saga,” saying the Virginia results will likely hurt House Republicans’ chances of having the majority next January.
“If Republicans lose the House in November, it won’t be by a lot of votes,” he added. “It will still be a pretty narrow majority.”
