In the News

Seven members of Congress have signed a letter offering their support for a petition submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration urging the agency to allow hair testing rather than a urinalysis to meet federal drug testing requirements for commercial truck driver applicants. Signing the letter were Rick Crawford; R-Jonesboro, Ark.; Don Bacon, R-Neb.; Bruce Westerman,… Read more »

Emergency officials finished preparations for rising waters along the White River by evacuating more residents and placing sandbags around businesses, and residents in Pocahontas for the first time Sunday were able to see damage done to their homes by the flooded Black River. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, who took office in April, flew over the flooding in northeast Arkansas,… Read more »

HINDSVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The Latest on Severe Weather-Arkansas (all times local): 5 p.m. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Sen. John Boozman and Reps. Rick Crawford and French Hill in a helicopter tour of flooded northeast Arkansas to view what Crawford called a terrible situation. Storms that began April 26 led to what… Read more »

Members of the Arkansas Community Bankers Association say they're swamped with federal regulations put in place following the 2008 financial meltdown. Stopping by Capitol Hill this week, they urged lawmakers to roll back some of the rules that were included in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The law has created an unreasonable and unnecessary burden for… Read more »

House Republicans voted Thursday to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, overcoming united Democratic opposition and their own divisions, and claiming a major victory even as the measure faces an uncertain fate in the divided U.S. Senate. Read more »

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Many are still mourning the death of former Arkansas Congressman Jay Dickey, a Republican from Pine Bluff who died April 20. He was 77 years old. Among those remembering his life -- members of the Arkansas delegation, as well as fellow political leaders from across the nation. They gathered for a moment of silence Wednesday in honor of Dickey. Arkansas Congressman… Read more »

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' four U.S. House members have voted for Republican legislation to repeal and replace major parts of the federal health care law. Republican Reps. Rick Crawford, French Hill, Bruce Westerman and Steve Womack on Thursday voted for the legislation that addresses their longtime pledge to erase the 2010 Obama health care law. The bill passed on a… Read more »

Good Thursday morning. BULLETIN at 5:05 a.m.: “LONDON (AP) - Buckingham Palace says Prince Philip will no longer carry out engagements starting this fall.” THINGS ARE FINALLY LOOKING GOOD FOR THE GOP HEALTH CARE BILL. They’ve announced a vote, and most of the time, that’s a good sign for the majority. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters yesterday… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford has informed House Republican leaders and the White House that he is comfortable with the health care legislation they've been touting. "Barring any further changes that I am not aware of, I would expect to vote 'yes' on it if it comes to floor this week," he said. "There's a lot of good things in here." The Republican from Jonesboro opposed an earlier version of… Read more »

Republicans muscled their health care bill through the House on Thursday, taking their biggest step toward dismantling former President Barack Obama's health care overhaul since Donald Trump took office. They won passage only after overcoming their own divisions that nearly sank the measure six weeks ago. Democrats insisted Republicans will pay at election time for repealing major… Read more »