Happy Thanksgiving! This week, we come together as a nation to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving is a time for us to pause and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.    However, this Thanksgiving, hardworking families in the First District and all across our country are struggling and bearing the brunt of increasing inflation and President Biden’s economic crisis. A Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings will cost families 20 percent more this year compared to last year, with the price of a 16-pound turkey averaging nearly $30. According to an American Farm Bureau survey, a Thanksgiving meal is up nearly 37 percent from 2020. At the start of the 118th Congress in January, my Republican colleagues are on committed to strengthening our economy by tackling inflation and lowering the cost of living and gas prices.   I am thankful for my wife and children and for our freedom that is defended by our military. I am thankful to be an Arkansan and to serve and represent the First District. I hope that despite the unfair taxation this President’s administration has unleashed, you all are able to persevere and have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

No votes this week. The House will be in session on Tuesday, November 29.

POLITICO A split vote for freight rail, as Congress watches Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), the top Republican on the House subcommittee that oversees railroads, told POLITICO that “we’ve got something prepared if necessary, but I’m hoping it’s not necessary.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Cotton issues TikTok warning, cites national security concern Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., has called for banning TikTok since June 2020. AgriPulse Open Mic Interview Last week’s Open Mic guest is Rep. Rick Crawford. The Arkansas Republican was elected to a 7th term in last week’s election. Looking forward, Crawford doesn’t expect significant legislation to come from a limited lame duck session and suggests narrow margins in the next Senate and House will require compromise and a bipartisan effort to accomplish much. Crawford suggests a more conciliatory tone from the White House could bring legislative victories in the new year. He expects a new farm bill to be marked up next year and doesn’t expect significant policy changes, but says reference prices for many commodities will need to be adjusted. Finally, Crawford offers caution when dealing with the Chinese.