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Good To Be Home…
It was a fast two weeks, but I’m back in Arkansas for what looks to be a very productive few days. We’ve got everything from meetings and town halls to parades and BB gun competitions lined up.
I’ve said it time and time again, but there’s nothing quite like coming back home. The Third District is truly a special place and there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t consider it a privilege to be your representative.
Schedule…
Here’s a look at some of the events I’ll be attending this week. These events are open to the press and public. If you get the chance, come on out. I’d love to meet you and answer any questions you have regarding the issues most important to you.
Tuesday, June 28th
Senior Service Provider Meeting
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Adult Wellness Center
2001 W Persimmon St.
Rogers, AR 72756
Medicare Town Hall
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Riordan Hall Auditorium
3 Riordan Hall Drive
Bella Vista, AR 72714
Wednesday, June 29th
NWA Economic Development District
Board of Directors Meeting
11:00 a.m. – Board of Directors Meeting
12:00 p.m. – Lunch (Congressman Womack to Speak)
NWA Economic Development District Conference Room
919 Highway 62-65-412 North
Harrison, AR 72601
Celebrating National Homeownership Month
With Mutual Self-Help Housing
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2376 New Testament Church Dr.
Harrison, AR 72601
Friday, July 1st
The Daisy Open
BB Gun Championship Match
6:15 p.m.
John Q Hammons Convention Center
3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy
Rogers, AR 72756
Medicare Town-Hall…
One of the most important events I’ll be hosting this week is the Medicare Town Hall in Bella Vista. There’s a lot of misinformation circulating out there and this town hall is an opportunity for me to answer any questions or concerns you might have on the future of Medicare in America.
It is essential that we understand what Medicare reform actually means. First of all, those 55 years and older will NOT be affected by Chairman Ryan’s proposed reform to Medicare. Secondly, my Republican colleagues and I are not trying to ‘end’ Medicare as Democrats have been pointing out over the last few months. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Our goal is to preserve Medicare by reforming it into a viable program for not only this generation, but for generations to come.
Medicare will go bankrupt by 2020 if nothing is done to fix it. If Washington Democrats get there way, that’s exactly what will happen. So please join me in Bella Vista on Tuesday afternoon for the real story on Medicare.
Tuesday, June 28th
Medicare Town Hall
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Riordan Hall Auditorium
3 Riordan Hall Drive
Bella Vista, AR 72714
Strategic Petroleum Reserve…
We should no longer be surprised by the actions taken—or better yet, not taken—by this administration regarding our nation’s energy policy.
On Thursday, President Obama announced that his administration has decided to release 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
As problems arise, President Obama seems bent on temporary fixes rather than long term solutions. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is meant for emergencies, not for presidents who wish to quiet their critics over high gas prices.
This most recent action by the Obama Administration is hardly an energy plan, yet the president would rather take this route than support legislation for domestic energy production here at home, which would lower prices and create jobs. The president’s opposition to such legislation, which House Republicans have long been pursuing, is doing the opposite.
It’s time for a real plan—a real policy. Words without action will no longer suffice. It’s time for the president to focus on the country rather than the moment.
More Mark-Ups…
This week, I participated in a full committee markup of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill. The FSGG Subcommittee has jurisdiction over a diverse group of agencies including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Executive Office of the President. Needless to say, this bill funds important aspects of our government. Like the other Appropriations bills, the FSGG bill represents a series of tough decisions. It reduces discretionary spending by 9 percent from Fiscal Year 2011 and 18 percent from Fiscal Year 2010. It is 22.5 percent less than the president’s request.
The bill included language prohibiting the IRS from using funds to implement the individual mandate from the healthcare reform act. It restricts the president from using funds to hire unconfirmed “Czars.” In addition, it prohibits the FCC from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine as well as issuing a rule regulating the internet.
The whole House will consider this bill in the coming weeks and it will, hopefully, be passed and sent over to the Senate.
This markup process is another step to getting our country back on a fiscally responsible path. I will continue to keep you up to date one other markups throughout the coming weeks.
H.R. 2307…
Last Thursday I was pleased to join several of my colleagues as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 2307, the Ethanol Subsidy Repeal Act.
H.R. 2307 is similar to the bill I’m currently sponsoring, H.R. 1075; however, this bipartisan effort would not only repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), but it would also eliminate the import tariff on ethanol.
The use of corn for ethanol has more than doubled—driving up the cost of feed for farmers and food for consumers. Prices at these levels are unsustainable and have already resulted in the loss of jobs in our own district. If members of Congress fail to support the elimination of these wrongheaded policies, it will undoubtedly lead to additional job loss and further cripple job creation.
Repealing the $0.45 per gallon tax credit and eliminating the $0.54 per gallon import tariff will save tax payers billions of dollars and provide necessary relief to farmers, producers and consumers.
Ethanol does nothing but drive up the costs. It has proven to be a less than adequate alternative fuel source, and though we have these facts in hand, we continue the practice at the expense of our food supply. That is wrong.
Exploring alternative resources is crucial in gaining our independence from foreign resources; however, when an idea fails, we must move onto the next one—rather than continue to reward the bad.
Social Media…
Remember, the best way to keep up with what I’m doing on an everyday basis is by logging onto to the different social media sites. Whether it be pictures, videos, press releases, votes, etc. – you will find it all on my Facebook page, Twitter handle and YouTube channel first. You can always visit my website at Womack.House.Gov for information as well.
Visitors…
We get a lot of visitors every single week and it's always one of my highlights. If you're ever in D.C., please stop by my office and say hello.
Here are a few pictures from the past week.
The George Family on the East Capitol steps
Members of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce with Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy in his office
Teachers from Central Middle School on the East Capitol steps
I had the chance to present Majority Leader Eric Cantor
(R-VA) with a Daisy BB Red Ryder with his State's coin in the stock
Teachers from Helen Tyson Middle School in Springdale on the East Capitol steps
My first group of interns. I couldn't have asked for a harder working crew then these guys (from left to right: Jordan Hale, Jessamyn Rongey, Carrie Coxen)
Teachers from J.O. Kelly Middle School in Springdale on the East Capitol steps
Students from the National Youth Leadership Council
2011 University of Arkansas Bodenhamer Scholarship Recipients on the Speaker's Balcony
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
