Boozman Bulletin: A Voice for the Voiceless

I’m proud to receive an A+ pro-life rating on the Susan B. Anthony List for my record promoting the value of life. Defending the most vulnerable among us is one of the most important things we can do because every life is precious. I am committed to protecting innocent and unborn children, supporting policies that end abortion and preventing groups participating in the destruction and devaluing of human life from receiving taxpayer dollars. We can be encouraged by how the pro-life movement continues to expand as we unite to defend the sanctity of human life. Today, people around the country will participate in the virtual March for Life rally and demonstrate their support for protecting the unborn. I’m lending my voice in support of this cause.

• The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: There is no clearer indication that America is in moral crisis than to understand that babies in the womb feel pain as early as 20 weeks old, yet are still allowed to be victims of gruesome abortion procedures that end their lives in agonizing fashion. Science and medical technology increasingly affirm this truth. It is past time for us to protect these innocent, vulnerable lives and spare them from that fate. I’m thankful my colleagues are standing together in support of this legislation that promotes the value and dignity of every human being.
  
  
• No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act: Currently, policies that regulate federal funding for abortions, like the long-standing Hyde Amendment, have to be reapproved each year and could be terminated. This bill would eliminate the need for annual action and ensure a permanent, government-wide prohibition on funding for abortions.
  
  
• Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act: This legislation would prohibit abortion based on an unborn child having Down syndrome. Every life is a precious gift, and unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are no exception. Every human being is capable of accomplishing amazing things that exceed expectations and add much value and joy to the lives and families they are fortunate to be part of. I am honored to stand up and speak out on their behalf and on behalf of those yet to be born so that they can realize their full potential and purpose. Our world would be less bright and loving without them.
  
  
• Women’s Public Health and Safety Act: This legislation gives states the authority to exclude abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood, from receiving Medicaid funds. Under current law, states are required to allow any qualified provider to participate in a state’s Medicaid system. A non-partisan Government Accountability Office report revealed that Planned Parenthood received nearly $1.3 billion in Medicaid  reimbursements over a three-year period, accounting for 81 percent of the abortion provider’s joint federal-state funding stream.
  
  
• Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act: This bill aims to protect newborns who survive an attempted abortion. It would create criminal penalties for doctors who allow infants surviving abortion to die rather than provide them medical care, and also require that born-alive abortion survivors be transported to a hospital for treatment.

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Helping Businesses Comply with Immigration Laws

This week I helped introduce legislation that prevents illegal immigrants from taking jobs meant for American workers and legal immigrants while ensuring employers have the tools they need to certify a legal workforce. The Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act would permanently authorize and require employers to use the E-Verify program, an internet-based system that assists employers in determining the eligibility of employees allowed to work in the United States.

Employers need a commonsense, cost-effective tool that allows them to hire with confidence. Law enforcement must be empowered to hold bad actors accountable when they willfully violate immigration rules while hiring employees. E-Verify does both. It has a proven track record of success and should be permanently reauthorized and made mandatory for employers.

Currently, employers voluntarily submit information reported on an employee’s Form I-9 to the Department of Homeland Security through the E-Verify system, which works in partnership with the Social Security Administration to determine worker eligibility. There is no cost for employers to use E-Verify.

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Economic Impact Payment Resources

Arkansans have a lot of questions about the Economic Impact Payment (EIP) that Congress approved at the end of 2020. The media often refers to these payments as ‘stimulus checks.'

The IRS has been issuing these payments. The best place to start in finding the status of a payment is the Get My Payment button on the IRS website. This will show if and when the payment was processed. It is important to note that it is taking approximately three to four weeks from that processing date to receive the payment. Arkansans with a January 6 date on the IRS website have told me they just received their check in the mail this week.

If the IRS website indicates the payment status is “unavailable” you may still be able to get one. The IRS added a line to this year’s tax forms so you can claim an unreceived EIP from both 2020 and 2021. You will have to file a tax return to see if there is any money through the Recovery Rebate Credit.

 

I understand this impacts many Arkansans who don’t normally file a tax return. If you need help with this to pursue your EIP, check out the file for free resources from the IRS or find the closest Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site.

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Arkansas COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Arkansas is currently in Phase 1-B of its COVID-19 distribution plan. Educators who work in K-12, child care and higher education, individuals age 70 or older and all Arkansans eligible in Phase 1-A including health care workers, residents and staff at long-term care facilities and other high priority groups are qualified to receive the vaccine.  

The Arkansas Department of Health has a helpful map showing locations around the state administering the vaccine. To learn more about the state’s vaccination plan click here.

Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) also have the option of receiving a vaccine from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical system. The VHA is following CDC vaccine distribution guidelines, which can differ from the state-by-state plans. Currently, the VA is vaccinating veterans who are 75 and older, those on dialysis, undergoing chemotherapy, have had a transplant or who are homeless.

Veterans will receive a call from the VA’s Vaccination Team to schedule their appointment when they are eligible. To get more information on this process and sign-up for automatic updates on vaccine availability click here.

ICYMI: Timeless 106.1 KFFB Open Mic Interview

This week I joined Timeless 106.1 KFFB’s General Manager Bob Connell to talk about the news of the day including the upcoming impeachment trial, the need to preserve the filibuster and COVID-19 relief legislation proposed by President Biden. Listen here.