Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway!" This is Alex Thomas, the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and I'm here with your Arkansas-centric look at national politics for the week of March 9, 2025!

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation attended President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress last week. These Arkansans left the U.S. Capitol late last Tuesday expressing optimism about Trump's return to the White House and his leadership so far.

STORY: Arkansas' congressional delegation lauds Trump's address

The House of Representatives Financial Services Committee advanced legislation addressing a recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule on overdraft fees.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., introduced House Joint Resolution 59 in February. The measure would prevent the agency from implementing the change and issuing similar policies for the foreseeable future.

STORY: Hill’s proposal to invalidate limits on overdraft fees gets House panel’s OK

Meanwhile, members of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee began consideration of Rep. Bruce Westerman's bill addressing forest management and wildfires.

The House approved the Fix Our Forests Act in January. Westerman, a Hot Springs Republican, and California Democrat Scott Peters pushed the legislation through Congress' lower chamber.

STORY: U.S. Senate committee begins consideration of Westerman forest bill

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

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of March 2, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed separate budget resolutions addressing President Donald Trump and Republicans' top policy goals. Now, they have to reach a compromise.

The House last week approved a blueprint with $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and sights on $2 trillion in spending cuts. All four of Arkansas' House members supported this plan.

House Democrats have voiced concerns about how the proposal could affect government services, including Medicaid and nutrition programs.

STORY: Arkansas’ U.S. House delegation backs 10-year budget blueprint to reduce spending, taxes

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is running for re-election.

Cotton, of Little Rock, launched his bid for another six-year term last Thursday.

The senator has emerged as a leading Republican figure on Capitol Hill; Cotton chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and serves on the Senate GOP leadership team.

STORY: Cotton officially kicks off reelection bid

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., is again pushing a bill to expand the Flatside Wilderness Area in Central Arkansas.

Hill's legislation would add more than 2,200 acres of the Ouachita National Forest to this protected space.

STORY: Hill trying for third time to expand Central Arkansas’ Flatside Wilderness Area

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

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of February 23, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with a look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Members of the Senate and House of Representatives have budget resolutions on their minds.

The House returns to Capitol Hill on Monday in the wake of senators approving a $340 billion financial blueprint. The plan calls for a $150 billion boost to defense spending and a $175 billion increase for border security in conjunction with reduced spending across multiple areas.

Sens. John Boozman, of Rogers, and Tom Cotton, of Little Rock, joined 50 other Senate Republicans in supporting the budget resolution on Friday.

Speaking of Cotton, Arkansas' junior senator just released a new book.

"Seven Things You Can't Say About China" analyzes China's growing international prowess, as well as Cotton's concerns the nation could supersede the United States as the world's dominant political power.

STORY: New Cotton book expresses concerns with China 'close to parity' with U.S.

Thanks for checking out this week's episode of "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on BlueSky for developments from the nation's capital!