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Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed today the Biden administration is discussing diverting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manpower or funding as part of the increased federal response that will be required if the Trump-era Title 42 order is rescinded.
The VA’s Fourth Mission is critical in emergencies; however I oppose the use of VA health professionals to manage an emergency that is foreseeable and avoidable. This would only take away from the care and services our veterans earned. I’ve worked to craft policies to enhance veterans benefits and that’s why I’m fighting to prevent the administration from disrupting the system dedicated to meeting their needs. Yesterday, I introduced legislation to block the Biden administration from diverting veterans resources to manage the crisis at the southern border.
Watch my remarks at today's press conference
Ending Title 42 is reckless. This policy has provided Customs and Border Protection agents the ability to quickly expel illegal immigrants. President Biden has failed to secure the border, creating a national security and humanitarian crisis at our border. Rescinding this policy will only add to the chaos.
Supporting Small Businesses
I’m continuing conversations with business leaders across Arkansas to discuss the challenges facing their operations. Small business owners have shared how skyrocketing inflation, supply chain disruptions and labor shortages are hindering their operations and producing widespread ramifications. I recently introduced legislation to preserve access to capital for these building blocks of our economy.
Meeting with Batesville Chamber of Commerce members.
I will continue to push for solutions to help spur economic growth and development so businesses can thrive and communities succeed. This starts with rejecting the tax-and-spending agenda pursued by President Biden that's driving inflation and hurting Arkansans' pocketbooks.
Around Arkansas
While the Senate was out-of-session, I’ve traveled the state to talk about the issues impacting Arkansas families, businesses and communities. I had the opportunity to visit with home builders who shared how supply chain challenges have their industry and ability to meet the demand for new homes, see how schools across Arkansas are developing the next generation of skilled-workers, learn how new community-based initiatives are helping serve veterans and applaud the dedicated professionals delivering VA health care.
Visiting with a home builder at one of the homes under construction in Fort Smith.
Touring South Arkansas Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in El Dorado.
I've been a long-time advocate for an all-of-the-above energy policy to diversify our existing energy resources including the use of solar energy. I visited the Chicot Solar Energy Center to see how Arkansans are developing innovative solutions to provide affordable energy.
Meeting with staff at the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Mountain Home.
Let Me Help
Constituent service is an important oversight function of Congress. I have a proven commitment to serving Arkansans by making sure federal offices and agencies are ready and able to answer their concerns. Helping Arkansans will always be a top priority for me, and I was pleased to see the results of that work in person recently as I visited a newly-approved VA urgent care provider clinic in Malvern. You can read more about that and the latest on the responsiveness of other federal services in my column on ensuring they are accessible and accountable to Arkansans.
Dr. Shane Higginbotham, owner of Covenant Health Urgent Care, discusses how the clinic supports the health care of area veterans.
Arkansas Take Back Day
On Saturday, April 30, law enforcement agencies across the state are making it easy to get rid of old and unused prescription drugs through Arkansas Take Back. I'm proud to continue my long-time support for this program and other efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and ultimately save lives. Find a collection site close to home to help break the cycle of addiction in our communities.
Get Connected
Stay Up-to-date with what I’m doing for Arkansans via social media. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If this was forwarded to you sign up for my e-newsletter.
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