Back Home…
I always look forward to spending time back home in the Third District. Besides the fact that there’s no place quite like the Natural State, it’s a chance for me to meet with constituents and answer any questions or concerns they might have about certain issues. On Saturday I hit the ground running as I helped serve food at the Agriculture Appreciation Day in Green Forest. The weather was great and I enjoyed getting the chance to meet new folks and catch up with others. I even had the opportunity to meet a young lady named Jamie Andrews who was registering to vote for the first time. What a way to start a trip back home!
I’ll be traveling all over the district throughout the week and I’ve posted a lot of those events below. Be sure to check out my website at
www.womack.house.gov for any updates to the schedule.
You can also follow me on Twitter
@rep_stevewomack for updates on where I am and where I’ll be going.
Monday June 6th
Siloam Springs City Hall Meetings
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Siloam Springs City Hall
400 N. Broadway Street
Siloam Springs, AR
Tuesday June 7th
Tour APEI (Arkansas Power Electronics International)
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
534 W. Research Center Blvd.
Fayetteville, AR
Tour NanoMech Facility with ARPA-E
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
2447 Technology Way
Springdale, AR
Lunch with ARPA-E and University Professors
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
The Inn at Carnall Hall
Fayetteville, AR
Thursday, June 9th
Roundtable Discussion in Russellville
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce
708 West Main Street
Russellville, AR
Visit to Clarksville Head Start
2:15 – 2:45 p.m.
Informal Town Hall
2:45 – 3:30 p.m.
700 Cline Road
Clarksville, AR
Saturday, June 11th
U.S. Service Academy Send Off Picnic
w/ Sen. Boozman
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Park Springs Park
Bentonville, AR
Happy 125th Daisy BB…
On Saturday night I attended Daisy BB's 125th Anniversary Celebration in Rogers. 125 years is not only an incredible milestone, but it’s also a tribute to the hard work, devotion, and vision of the entrepreneurial spirit which drives our economy.
Feats like this make me even prouder to be your representative in Washington. I’ve said it before—the Third District of Arkansas is special. I often boast to my colleagues about what a great district and people I have the privilege of serving. In fact, on Friday before I left for Arkansas, I had the chance to brag on Daisy by presenting Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (CA) with his very own Official Red Ryder BB gun—just like Ralphie in ‘A Christmas Story’. It was a real treat!
Again, congratulations Daisy, and I wish you another 125 successful years.
Important Debt Ceiling Vote…
I and my Republicans colleagues sent a clear message to President Obama on Tuesday as we voted
against a bill that would allow the debt limit to be raised without the possibility of putting any restrictions on spending. Not a single Republican voted in favor of H.R. 1954. I have said all along that the fiscal situation facing our nation is among our highest priorities in Congress. It is unconscionable to consider an increase in the debt ceiling without significant and guaranteed limits on federal spending.
We cannot continue to add to the burden of future generations by ignoring our obligation to control spending.
After The Vote…
On Wednesday morning, after H.R. 1954 failed to pass the House, I joined my fellow Republican colleagues in a 90-minute visit with the president in the East Room of the White House. I believe the invitation was extended because of the reality of needing the House of Representatives—now controlled by the GOP—for any hope of an increase in the debt ceiling. The president heard loud and clear that we’re serious about major changes in the federal government—notably the need to reduce spending, entitlement program reform, and the end of burdensome regulation. Our focus is on job creation and hovering overhead is a dark cloud of uncertainty involving these issues. I would like to take the president at his word that he is ready to enter these discussions, but absent any plan from the White House—not to mention the fact that his own budget failed 97-0 in the Senate—I am not optimistic that we’ll get beyond the rhetoric of Wednesday’s meeting.
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However, I am hopeful that the president will accept our discussion as a real opportunity to demonstrate to the American people that he is willing to lead this nation through the difficult challenges ahead by ending the campaign-style rhetoric, making known his plans for dealing with the debt and deficit in a way that brings real change, and admitting that the true drivers of the deficit are in the mandatory programs that cannot be ignored or overlooked.
House Republicans have delivered on our promise to cut spending, shrink government, and create a climate for jobs. It is time for the Senate and President Barack Obama to join us with meaningful solutions to real challenges.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and we’ll talk again next week. And be sure to stop by any number of events over the next few days and say hello. I'd love to meet you.
From the Front…
U.S. Congressman
Steve Womack
Serving the Third District of Arkansas
