Dear Friends: In July 1776, George Washington was preparing for the defense of New York City. British vessels filled the harbor, and the apprehension was palpable. A communication sent by Continental Congress President John Hancock and dated July 6, 1776, arrived at the general’s headquarters. The letter instructed Washington to share the contents of an enclosed document with the men under his command. He was eager to comply. At 6 p.m. on July 9th, the Continental Army assembled according to Wa... Read more

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has selected Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) to deliver the Weekly Republican Address in honor of Independence Day. “We Americans are blessed with a great land, economic opportunity, a matchless Constitution, and unrivaled success – July 4th is a chance to celebrate that,” Rep. Womack said. “Independence Day is also a time to reflect on the liberty and freedom of the promise of America, and as we do so, it’s an honor to deliver the weekly Republican address and share w... Read more

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after the Supreme Court today announced its ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby: “The First Amendment affords Americans the freedom of religion. Obamacare should not infringe on this right, and employers should not be fined for practicing their constitutionally-protected faiths. I applaud today’s Supreme Court decision, which ensures they won’t be. It is a victory for religious liberty and business alike.” The SCOTUS Burwell v. Hobby ... Read more

U.S. Representatives Bob Goodlatte (VA-6), Jim Costa (CA-16), Peter Welch (VT-AL), and Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement today in response to the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) report, The Renewable Fuel Standard: Issues for 2014 and Beyond: “The report released by the Congressional Budget Office confirms what a bipartisan majority in Congress already know – we must reform the Renewable Fuel Standard. The report underscores the hardship that full implementation of the RFS... Read more

On January 25, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that President Obama’s so-called ‘recess’ appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) were unconstitutional. In March 2013, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) introduced H.R. 976, a bill to stop the NLRB from enforcing the rules, regulations, and decisions it has issued since these appointments were made in January 2012 until final disposition in the court. Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ... Read more

U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman, along with U.S. Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3), today announced that the Fort Smith Fire Department will receive a $689,572 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to purchase face pieces and self-contained breathing apparatuses. “Arkansas firefighters put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our families safe,” said Pryor. “These resources will help equip our first responders at the Fo... Read more

Each year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school art competition. The Congressional Art Competition, which began in 1982, serves as an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in congressional districts across the country. The 2014 competition was open to all high school students in the Third District, and on April 23, 2014, the top five finalists were selected by a panel judges from the Third District community, including Manuela Well-Of... Read more

Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-1), Tim Griffin (AR-2), Steve Womack (AR-3), and Tom Cotton (AR-4) today issued the following statement on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to extend the comment period on the endangered species classification of the Northern Long-Eared (NLE) bat: “We’re pleased the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listened to our concerns and granted our request for a six month extension of the comment period. An endangered species classification of the northern-long ear... Read more

U.S. Representatives Tim Walz (D-MN-1) and Steve Womack (R-AR-3) today introduced the National Child Protection Training Act, a bipartisan bill to help train child protection professionals to detect and prevent child abuse. The bill would establish regional training centers – including the National Child Protection Training Center in Winona, MN, and the Melba Shewmaker Southern Region National Child Protection Training Center at NorthWest Arkansas Community College – that would create new underg... Read more

In a speech on the House Floor, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) yesterday spoke in support of H.R. 4870, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015. H.R. 4870 was subsequently passed today by the House with bipartisan support. The bill provides the Department of Defense (DoD) $491 billion in discretionary spending and $79.4 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) for fiscal year 2015. “Our subcommittee – and our committee as a whole – is keenly aware of our nation’s deficits an... Read more