Press Releases

WASHINGTON D.C. — Rep. French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after the passing of Dickson Flake: “With the passing of Dickson Flake, Martha and I lost a good friend. Like many in central Arkansas, I lost a wise counselor. Our region lost one of its most tireless workers and builders for a better community. In this time of thanks and reflection, Martha and I extend our condolences and prayers to the Flake family.” Read more

Washington, D.C — This week, in The Hill, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) and Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, an Arkansas-based CDFI penned an op-ed about how economic recovery in Arkansas across the country could be encouraged with the extension as well as modifications to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). "The deadline to apply for PPP loans is Tuesday, but many businesses will still need assistance in the coming weeks. Congress should extend the deadline and provide countless small bu... Read more

WASHINGTON D.C. — Rep. French Hill (AR-02) named the State Department as the latest recipient of the Golden Fleece Award for needlessly delaying more than 1.6 million passport applications. "While the State Department was quick to respond to the coronavirus’ outbreak at the beginning of the year, it made the wrong decision to suspend the processing of passport applications. Other federal agencies, with similar responsibilities and workloads, continued to work remotely or socially distance in the... Read more

Little Rock, Ark. — Rep. French Hill (AR-02) announced that Robert Geal recently joined his staff to serve as a District Representative of Military and Veteran Affairs. Geal, originally from Benton, Arkansas, is currently serving in the Arkansas Army National Guard as a crew chief and mechanic on the Blackhawk helicopter. Prior to joining Rep. Hill’s office, Geal was an Assistant Store Manager at Walmart in central Arkansas and an Avionics Technician for Delta Airlines. “Central Arkansas is home... Read more

Little Rock, Ark. — On Wednesday, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) and 78 other Members of Congress sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) asking that Congress provides the U.S. Department of Agriculture with $51 million in emergency COVID-19 relief funding to the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), commonly known as the “Double-Up Food Bucks” program. This program has popular bipartisan support because one popular use of the grants is to ... Read more

Little Rock, Ark. — The members of the bipartisan Congressional Oversight Commission have published their second report. This report, among other things, contains responses from the Federal Reserve and Treasury to certain questions posed by the Commission in its first report. The Commission’s second report is available here. The Congressional Oversight Commission is a five-person panel that was established by the CARES Act. The commission is focused specifically on the economic stabilization eff... Read more

Little Rock, Ark. — The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council has announced that it will fully fund the Bigelow Rosenwald School project at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). This $634,594 grant will provide critical maintenance to an institution that holds great historic significance to the African American community in central Arkansas. The facility will severe as a museum, meeting place for the university, and community center. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) became a long-time suppo... Read more

Little Rock, Ark. — This week, in Talk Business and Politics, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) penned an op-ed about the important role that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has played keeping central Arkansas businesses afloat and providing Arkansas families with needed income during the COVID-19 crisis. "Since Congress passed the CARES Act and created the PPP in March, over 40,000 Arkansas businesses have received over $3.28 billion in support," said Rep. Hill. "Each of those businesses represent... Read more

Little Rock, Ark. — Recently, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) joined Michael Thorning and Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) on the Bipartisan Policy Center Action's Podcast, Under the Dome to discuss the educational, economic, and cultural importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in central Arkansas, the pride that Arkansans have for Little Rock Central High School, and the CARES Act Congressional Oversight Commission. To listen to the full interview with Rep. Hill, Michael Thorning... Read more

Little Rock, Ark. — Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) hosted a reception to honor this year’s appointees from central Arkansas to attend U.S. service academies. The cadets elected to have an outdoor, socially distanced celebration with less than 50 people. “Our service academies are gateways for exceptional young people to pursue rewarding careers in serving their country. It is an honor, as a member of Congress, to be involved in the admissions process by nominating candidates for consideration,”... Read more