This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Sept. 28, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your weekly look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

If you recall the start of Donald Trump's second presidency, his first actions upon returning to office caused the closure of the nation's most significant agency for distributing international assistance.

The U.S. Agency for International Development had been providing foreign aid and development services for more than six decades, but the Trump administration opted to end most of its contracts and shift remaining programs to the State Department.

Thousands of people lost their jobs as a result of this change, including an Arkansan who shared her story with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Check Monday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette for the full story.

Thank you 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 more developments from the nation's capital!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Sept. 21, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your weekly look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

There is still time for Congress to pass a funding measure averting a government shutdown at month's end, but the chances of such an event on Oct. 1 increased last Friday.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a short-term funding measure keeping the government open through Nov. 21, but the Senate rejected this proposal and an alternative Democratic measure.

The Senate and House do not have any scheduled votes this week; both chambers are away from Capitol Hill for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

STORY: Arkansas’ federal lawmakers back spending measures, but shutdown threat still looms

When Congress resumes legislative business in Washington, lawmakers will face growing pressure to provide farmers with economic relief.

Operations in Arkansas and across the country have struggled to remain open given low crop prices and rising input costs.

During a telephone town hall last week, Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., shared a willingness to consider agricultural assistance later this year.

STORY: Arkansas Congressman French Hill open to backing financial assistance for farmers

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

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Sept. 14, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation were among the public officials who condemned political violence following last Wednesday's assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

STORY: Arkansas political leaders react to shooting death of Charlie Kirk

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., furthered his push for changing the federal permitting system as the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee began consideration of the SPEED Act.

Westerman, of Hot Springs, and Maine Democrat Jared Golden introduced the measure in late July. The bill aims to shorten the permitting process by, in part, limiting environmental reviews to a project's proximate impact.

Most Democratic committee members criticized the SPEED Act, arguing the measure would diminish accountability in exchange for expediting energy and infrastructure projects.

STORY: U.S. House committee considers legislation to improve federal permit process, including Westerman’s SPEED Act

Thank you for listening to 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 more developments from the nation's capital!