Steve Womack RSS Articles

Womack Announces John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellowship

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today announced the John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellowship program. This fellowship, named for former Arkansas Representative John Paul Hammerschmidt (1966-1993), is geared towards highly motivated college students with an interest in public service and will allow outstanding Third District students to experience the legislative process firsthand in Congressman Womack’s Washington, D.C. office.

Womack and Hammerschmidt released the following statements following the fellowship’s announcement:

"John Paul Hammerschmidt was legendary for his second-to-none constituent service and for his dedication to giving back to Arkansas; this included making it possible for young men and women to come to Washington, D.C., to learn the ins-and-outs of Congress. This fellowship will allow students interested in public service to do just that, and there isn't a more fitting name for it to bear than that of John Paul Hammerschmidt. I am thrilled this program will continue his legacy and honor all he has done for the Third District of Arkansas,” said Womack.

“I am deeply honored to have Congressman Womack’s fellowship bear my name. I am sure it will be beneficial to many students in the future,” said Hammerschmidt.

Jordan Hale, a member of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) Class of 2013 and a Chancellor’s Leadership Scholar, has been selected to serve as the first John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellow during the summer of 2013.

Dr. Beran, UAFS Chancellor, released the following statement regarding Hale’s appointment:

“Jordan was a clear leader on the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith campus, and because of his interest in history and politics, I supported him for a regular internship with Congressman Womack’s office last summer. But this current opportunity will really allow him the opportunity to experience Washington D.C. as a real participant and be mentored by Congressman Womack and other seasoned political professionals in the congressman’s office,” said Beran.

John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellows will earn college credit for completing a strict curriculum that emphasizes hands-on activities that highlight the inner workings of the U.S. House of Representatives, including conducting extensive legislative research, attending hearings, and monitoring activity on the House floor, as well as assisting with constituent communications and general office matters. Congressman Womack hopes to expand the fellowship to other Third District institutions in the future.

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Womack Congratulates 2013 U.S. Service Academy Appointees

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Each year, members of Congress have the privilege of making nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAF), the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA), the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The honor of attending a Service Academy comes with the obligation to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) announced the appointment of eight students from the Third District of Arkansas to our nation’s prestigious Service Academies:

USAF:

Sean Ellison, Pottsville High School

Garrett Rhynes, Pottsville High School

USMA:

Rachael Agwunobi, The Hockaday School

Logan Draper, Arkansas School for Mathematics and Science

Sarah Galloway, Bentonville High School

Nathan Hernandez, Har-Ber High School

USNA:

Michelle McCollum, Bentonville High School

Justin Reed, Bentonville High School

Following the announcement, Congressman Womack released the following statement congratulating the class of 2017 appointees:

"Arkansas’s Third District is blessed with more than our share of outstanding young men and women with the qualifications and the desire to serve our country, and these eight young men and women represent Arkansas’s best. I am proud they will represent Arkansas’s Third District at our prestigious U.S. Service Academies and am humbled by their patriotism and their commitment to defending America and protecting our liberties. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement,” said Womack.

Congressman Womack’s office began accepting applications for Service Academy class of 2018 nominations on May 15, 2013. For more information, please visit: http://womack.house.gov/constituentservices/servicefaqs.htm.

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Womack: Thanks to Arkansas's Third for Standing with Oklahoma

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement today regarding Monday’s tragic tornadoes in Oklahoma:

“The aftermath of Monday’s storms in Oklahoma left unimaginable loss and devastation across the state, especially in Moore. Now, the community must band together to rebuild, and I commend all those in Arkansas’s Third District – including Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the Harrison Daily Times, and many others – who have selflessly and generously committed their time, their resources, and themselves to helping our neighbors. If Arkansas was faced with such a disaster, we would be fortunate to have support like yours, and I know those in Oklahoma feel the same. Thank you.”

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Womack Statement on the Passage of H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement tonight after the House passed H.R. 3 to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline by removing the requirement for a presidential permit, granting the additional federal permits required for the project, and limiting the legal challenges that can be brought regarding the pipeline’s construction:

“In the 1,706 days since TransCanada submitted its Keystone XL application to the U.S. Department of State, President Obama has supported an energy agenda that has delayed, restricted, and regulated Americans’ access to affordable energy. Keystone XL will create jobs, grow our economy, and support the all-of-the-above energy policy about which the President often preaches but rarely supports with meaningful actions, and enough is enough. It’s time to build the pipeline.”

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Womack Statement on the Repeal of Obamacare

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement today after the House passed H.R. 45 to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care-related provisions in the Health Care Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010:

“We all remember Nancy Pelosi’s infamous words: “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” Well, it’s been over three years since President Obama signed the so-called Affordable Care Act into law, and now know that the bill’s 2,700 pages have turned into over 20,000 pages of new regulations, have created $800 billion in new taxes, have raised premiums by 200 percent, and have put 3.2 million jobs at risk. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This law will only continue to slow economic growth, result in job losses, and cause health care costs to skyrocket. Today, I proudly voted in favor of repealing Obamacare outright. Hardworking Americans deserve real health care reforms that lower costs, give access to coverage for everyone, and improve the quality of care – not this train wreck.”

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Womack, Speier Thank Senate, Urge House to Pass Marketplace Fairness

Mon, 06 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Representatives Steve Womack (AR-3) and Jackie Speier (CA-12) congratulated the Senate today for passing the Marketplace Fairness Act (S. 743/H.R. 684) and urged their House colleagues to quickly do the same and finally level the playing field for American businesses.

Under current law, brick-and-mortar retailers are required to collect sales and use taxes from customers who make purchases in their stores, but many online and catalog retailers do not have to collect the same taxes. Consumers now use brick-and-mortar stores as showrooms and then buy the product online to avoid the tax – a tax that is still owed by the consumer but rarely paid. S. 743/H.R. 684 gives states the option of requiring out-of-state sellers to collect sales and use taxes – rather than relying on consumers to remit those taxes – if states simplify their sales and use tax systems.

“After twenty years, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for our brick-and-mortar businesses, and today’s bipartisan Senate vote to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act has given even more momentum to close this tax loophole once and for all. Saving local retail business depends on it, and I – along with Arkansas’s Main Streets – am grateful for the Senate’s leadership on and dedication to this issue. Now, it’s up to the House to act, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to make sure we do so before it’s too late,” said Womack.

“It is time for the government to get out of the business of picking retail winners and losers. My colleagues pay a lot of lip service in support of small business; the Marketplace Fairness Act is a way for them to step up and actually do something. Let’s not wait until more businesses go under because of unfair online competition. This is not a new tax, the technology is there, and it is time for the House to act,” said Speier.

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Womack Statement on Senate Vote to Invoke Cloture on Marketplace Fairness Act

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after today’s Senate vote to invoke cloture and end debate on the Marketplace Fairness Act (S. 743):

“I’m extremely encouraged by the growing recognition that this unfair and outdated tax loophole is killing our Main Streets, and I applaud the Senate for invoking cloture on the Marketplace Fairness Act. As the Senate moves forward to actually debate this bipartisan, bicameral, common-sense solution, I am hopeful that any changes made will address Chairman Goodlatte’s concerns and give it the best shot at being taken up in our chamber.”

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2013 Congressional Art Competition Submissions Due Next Week

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Steve Womack’s district offices are currently accepting submissions for the 2013 Congressional Art Competition. This competition is open to high school students only. Exceptions may be made for schools that have 7^th through 12^th grades on one campus.

All entries are due next week and must be submitted to a district office by its respective deadline. The artwork will then be made available for public viewing at the Bentonville Downtown Activity Center from Monday, April 29, 2013, to Friday, May 3, 2013.

Rogers	Fort Smith	Harrison
Friday, April 26, 2013 5:00 PM CDT	Thursday, April 25, 2013 5:00 PM CDT	Thursday, April 25, 2013 5:00 PM CDT

On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, Congressman Womack will host an awards presentation, where he will announce the finalists. This will also be held at the Bentonville Downtown Activity Center.

For additional information on the competition itself, click here.

Questions? Please call (479) 464-0446.

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U.S. Chamber Honors Congressman Womack with Spirit of Enterprise Award

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today presented Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) with the annual Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support of pro-jobs, pro-growth policies during the second session of the 112^th Congress.

“In the face of high-stakes politics and difficult choices, Congressman Womack provided America’s job creators with a strong voice in Congress,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “This award recognizes Congressman Womack for consistently demonstrating his support for pro-growth policies.”

The Chamber’s prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award, in its 25^th year, is given annually to members of Congress based on key business issues outlined in the Chamber publication How They Voted. Members who support the Chamber’s position on at least 70% of those votes qualify to receive the award.

According to the scorecard, Congressman Womack received a 100% rating with the Chamber this year and collectively holds a 100% ranking during his tenure in Congress.

The Chamber scored Congress on 8 Senate and 12 House votes in 2012, including reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the establishment of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia, and the reauthorization of surface transportation legislation. Also scored were votes to repeal onerous provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, improve the process by which regulations are promulgated, and better secure the United States from cyber threats.

To view a complete list of the 2012 Spirit of Enterprise recipients, please visit www.uschamber.com/soe.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers.

www.uschamber.com @USChamber www.freeenterprise.com

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Womack, Speier Join Small Businesses to Call on House to Pass Marketplace Fairness Act

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

With the U.S. Senate’s recent vote showing overwhelming support of the Marketplace Fairness Act, the original sponsors of H.R. 684 today joined a group of small business owners from across the country to urge members of Congress to support the Marketplace Fairness Act (H.R. 684).

Under current law, while brick-and-mortar retailers collect sales and use taxes from customers who make purchases in their stores, many online and catalog retailers do not collect the same taxes. H.R. 684 empowers states to have the option of requiring out-of-state sellers to collect sales and use taxes – rather than rely on consumers to remit those taxes – if states simplify their sales and use tax systems.

After the press conference, the members released the following statements:

“The time has come to close the 20 year old tax loophole that has put the federal government in the business of picking marketplace winners and losers. Our Main Streets aren’t asking for special treatment, just simply for an honest chance to compete against their online counterparts instead of having to play by two different rulebooks,” said Womack. “The Senate’s vote showed what we already knew: there is strong, bipartisan support for the Marketplace Fairness Act. Now, the House must take up this bill and get this done once and for all.”

“Congress talks a good story about protecting small businesses – here's a chance to really do something. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 represents a fair and workable solution for both brick-and-mortar and online retailers and for our local communities,” said Speier. “The Internet marketplace is no longer in its infancy. It’s time for our tax laws to catch up with the modern marketplace and take government out of picking retail winners and losers.”

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