Holding the Post Office Accountable

An unreliable United States Postal Service (USPS) is an unfortunate reality for far too many residents of the First District. Lengthy delivery delays have left people citizens unable to pay bills on time or receive life-saving medications and supplies. This is unacceptable and something I have been working to address.

As promised, my office arranged a meeting with leadership at USPS, including the senior division director for the Southeast Region of the United States, to communicate that the performance of the facility is failing to adequately serve eastern Arkansas communities. She assured me that she will soon be visiting Memphis to tour the facilities, meet with the local management to assist them with identifying the cause of the mail processing delays, and hold them accountable for the poor service delivery to the First District.

I remain dedicated to holding the Memphis USPS facilities, as well as those in charge of overseeing this region, accountable to make the changes necessary to improve the delivery of mail to you. As I’ve mentioned before, if a turnaround doesn't happen quickly, Congress may need to consider legislative action to relocate the facility. I will continue to provide you updates throughout this process.

H.R. 3091 – Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Act – YEA

Would direct the General Services Administration to establish a program under which a federal law enforcement officer may purchase a retired handgun from the agency that issued the handgun to the officer.

H.R. 2494 – POLICE Act – YEA

Would make assaulting a law enforcement officer a deportable offense for illegal immigrants.

House Continuing Resolution 40 – YEA

Recognizes local law enforcement officers and condemns calls to defund or abolish the police.

Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Arkansas lawmakers seek millions for state through earmarks

Most of my requested amount -- $165.4 million -- concerns the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas Navigation System, the 445-mile channel that runs from the confluence of the Mississippi and White rivers to the Port of Catoosa near Tulsa.

The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas Navigation System serves as a crucial economic network. Vessels moved $3.1 billion worth of commodities through the system last year.

It's like a super highway for moving goods. A barge is equal to about 60 or more trucks depending on what's being carried, and one tow is comprised of 12 barges. A single tow is equivalent to about 720 trucks on the road.

Freight Waves

Lawmakers look to bolster ranks of young truck-driver program

“These bills address important elements of these concerns and offer solutions that will improve how goods move throughout the nation for years to come. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to develop a robust package that will strengthen and expand our supply chain by removing barriers, improving efficiency, and directing investment.”

Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Arkansas lawmakers waiting for debt ceiling deal

"If we can arrive at a solution where each party gets some of what they want, I think that's all the American people are asking for. We can come to that common ground if the president is willing to sit down with our side of the table and lay out a game plan."

Transport Topics

House Panel Presses Supply Chain Improvements

“The trucking industry plays a crucial role in the supply chain, ensuring that goods and supplies are transported from one location to another. A popular refrain that demonstrates the importance of the trucking industry is: ‘If you bought it, a trucker brought it,’ because nearly everything purchased for your home got to the store on the back of a truck.”

Transport Topics

House Committee Tackles Workforce, Federal Permitting Issues