This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of January 12, 2025. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

It's a new year and a new Congress.

The 119th Congress is now underway. Republicans hold majority control in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation are wielding tremendous influence at the start of this new Congress.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., now chairs the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee after four years as its ranking member.

Boozman, of Rogers, and other agriculture leaders will spend the year working on a new farm bill after the previous Congress failed to approve a new legislative package authorizing nutrition assistance, agriculture and rural development programs.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., leads the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Reps. French Hill and Bruce Westerman have top roles in Congress' lower chamber. Hill, of Little Rock, serves as chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Westerman, of Hot Springs, is continuing his tenure leading the House Natural Resources Committee.

STORY: Arkansans take lead roles on developing new farm bill as ’18 version remains in effect

Much of the attention on Capitol Hill last week focused on the legacy of Jimmy Carter.

The 39th president died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

Vice President Kamala Harris, members of Congress, Supreme Court justices and others paid their respects to Carter as his remains lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

STORY: National leaders honor Jimmy Carter as his body arrives at U.S. Capitol

Two Arkansans are seeking top positions with the Democratic National Committee.

Former congressional candidate Quintessa Hathaway is running for party chair. Chris Jones, who ran for governor in 2022, is vying for a vice chair position.

Read the full story on arkansasonline.com

Thanks for supporting "Arkies in the Beltway!" Stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on BlueSky for developments from the nation's capital!

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Dec. 22, 2024! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

It was a mad dash on Capitol Hill to complete legislative work before the holidays.

The Senate and House of Representatives addressed the final priorities of the year, including a stopgap funding package preventing a government shutdown.

Part of that legislation includes $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers as the agriculture industry continues dealing with high input costs and declining net farm incomes.

STORY: Bill signed into law Saturday sets aside $10B in economic assistance for farmers

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., watched the Senate pass two of his measures, sending the bills to the White House for President Joe Biden's signature.

The Senate approved a bipartisan outdoor recreation package and legislation dedicating the Kingsland post office after country music icon Johnny Cash.

Westerman, of Hot Springs, served as lead sponsor of both measures.

STORY: U.S. Senate approves Westerman-led outdoor recreation measure

STORY: Bill to rename Kingsland post office for Johnny Cash advances to president's desk

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" The program is taking a break for the holidays, but it will return in 2025 with new episodes covering the decisions and decision-makers impacting Arkansas.

You can stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can get in touch with me on social media; I'm now posting on Bluesky.

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Dec. 15, 2024! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., is preparing to lead an important House of Representatives committee.

The House Republican Steering Committee has recommended Hill, of Little Rock, as the next chair of the House Financial Resources Committee. A former banker, Hill has served as the committee's vice chair in the current Congress.

STORY: Hill getting ready to wield gavel for House Financial Services Committee

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., ended his bid to lead the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Crawford, of Jonesboro, launched his run for the seat in March as the committee's current chair, Missouri Republican Sam Graves, sought a waiver to bypass a House GOP rule limiting time as a committee's top Republican member.

The steering panel granted such a waiver to Graves, allowing him to pursue another two-year term holding the gavel.

STORY: Crawford bows out of House committee chair race

Arkansans are among those monitoring Syria following the collapse of Bashar Assad's regime.

The Syrian Emergency Task Force — which has an office in Little Rock — is a nonprofit organization vocal about ending the civil war and assisting Syrians impacted by the conflict.

STORY: Arkansans eager over Syria’s future following Assad’s fall

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can get in touch with me on social media; I'm now posting on Bluesky.