Dear Friend,
With the summer midway through, I hope you and your family are enjoying it to the fullest. This past week, I had the distinct honor of meeting a young man with remarkable strength and faith. Mr. Brandon Jeffries, an 18-year old graduate of Springdale High School’s class of 2010, stopped by the U.S. Capitol.
Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma following his senior year of football, Brandon chose to forgo a full ride scholarship to the University of Oklahoma to stay close to his family. Brandon’s story resonated with me as displaying a strength and trust in God beyond his years.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. Stanley Reed, who passed away this week. Mr. Reed was a distinguished individual. Serving our state as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Arkansas, president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, and on the board at Baptist Health, Mr. Reed was a fine example of one of Arkansas’s finest statesmen.
Latest Budget Report…
The August 2nd debt ceiling deadline is looming and it is time for the White House to get serious about our nation’s debt problem. We have heard the president’s speeches, but where is the Obama Administration’s actual plan to cut spending? Now is the time for leadership.
Just as we balance our own checkbooks, the government cannot continue on this spending path without balancing that of our nation’s. Next week, the House is scheduled to consider the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, a piece of legislation which would cut total spending by $111 billion by the year 2012. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, under consideration early this week. I believe it is the only way in which we can put an end to this spending-driven debt crisis.
Busy Week…
This past week, the House approved the Energy & Water Appropriations Act of 2012. I am proud to serve on the Appropriations Committee and the approval of this bill, H.R. 2354, brings us one step closer to reining in government spending.
Also approved by the House this week was H.R. 2018, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act. The passage of this bill means a prudent balance between the Environmental Protection Agency's regulatory powers and those of the state. The bill would provide security and certainty by restricting the EPA's power to second-guess or micromanage the decisions of state regulatory agencies.
Visitors…
One of the things I enjoy most about my job is getting to visit with folks from home while they’re in D.C. The pictures from this week are below. Thanks for dropping by!
A group of Arkansas educators, led by Dr. Benny Gooden, Superintendent of Fort Smith Public Schools, sat down with Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee. I have developed a personal friendship with Rep. Kline since arriving in Congress as a freshman this year.
Bart and Melissa Allard, with their sons, Murphy and John Paul, on the East Steps of the Capitol.
In front of the U.S. Capitol with the Taylor family (left to right: Sam, Brenda and Isabelle).
Feel free to check my website for frequent updates by visiting http://womack.house.gov, and find out how you can get connected and share your opinions with me. I always enjoy hearing from folks back at home.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and we'll talk again next week.
From the Front…
Steve Womack
U.S. Congressman
AR3
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U.S. Congressman
Steve Womack
Serving the Third District of Arkansas
