Fuel Costs for Farmers This week, I participated in the House Agriculture Committee hearing entitled, “A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Renewable Energy Opportunities in Rural America.” I raised the challenges of astronomical fuel, fertilizer, and other input costs while the Biden Administration continues to push for Green New Deal policies that emphasize massive investments in solar and wind energy. My full remarks from the hearing and exchange with Secretary Torres Small, Undersecretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, can be found here. This exchange highlights the frustration rural communities continue to have with federal policies that drive up the cost of fuel for producers. I met with farmers in Newport a few weeks ago to discuss the high input costs they are facing as those for both fuel and fertilizer rise to record heights. I remain committed to finding solutions to lower the price at the pump while pushing back on policies that only exacerbate the current situation.

H.Res. 1037 - To Hold Peter K. Navarro and Daniel Scavino Jr. in Contempt of Congress - No Validates the work of a partisan commission that is misusing the vast powers of Congress, all to provide themselves with campaign soundbites and to harass people from the other political party. Is another attempt to smear anyone who served under President Trump, as a signal to anyone who might consider working in the Administration of the next GOP president. Gives the most severe punishment for a seldom-used Contempt of Congress charge at one year in prison and/or a fine of $100,000.  H.R. 3807 - Inflating Costs for Small Businesses Act - No Fails to address the biggest concern of restaurant and small business owners – inflation. Increases the federal debt and furthers inflation concerns. Puts the same government agency that failed to properly administer previous funds for restaurants, in charge of new funds.

KAIT8 Lawmakers fight for funding in Trumann Although the city of Trumann did not qualify for FEMA disaster relief funding, there is still a chance for the city to get help cleaning up the debris field.The city did not qualify because there was not five million dollars worth of damage. Congressman Rick Crawford said the way the damage is determined is a flawed process. Washington Times Amtrak inspector general warns that Biden’s infrastructure bill could ‘strain’ operations “Amtrak has proven once again that their failed business is a money pit which only aims to serve coastal metropolitan areas while rural states like Arkansas are stuck footing the bill for their steep bailout fees,” said Rep. Rick Crawford, an Arkansas Republican and senior member of the House Transportation Committee. “Clearly the Democrats’ solution of funneling billions of taxpayer dollars to Amtrak is not the solution to their deep-rooted problems.” Financial Regulation News Reps. Torres, Crawford introduce bill addressing risks of El Salvador adopting Bitcoin U.S. Reps. Norma Torres (D-CA) and Rick Crawford (R-AR) introduced legislation designed to mitigate the risks to the United States of El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin as legal currency.

Talk Business & Politics - U.S. Steel's Big River Steel first in North America to achieve ResponsibleSteel certification KAIT8 - Class Act: Teacher proves to be a beacon of light to entire school  Talk Business & Politics - Efforts ongoing to restore, protect waterfowl areas