John McCain’s Cellmate: No More ‘Hell on Earth’ By Alex Gangitano Retiring Rep. Sam Johnson saluted his fellow former prisoner of war, Sen. John McCain, on the House floor Thursday night. “John was more than just a colleague in Congress. We were friends, and that friendship was forged in the infamous Hanoi Hiton,” Johnson said. The two shared a cell. “I could testify to the fact that John did everything he could to defend our freedom … not just on that hell on earth,” he said. “John, we will rem...
Read more
WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill has been selected to co-chair the bipartisan House Congressional App Challenge (App Challenge). “I’m excited and honored to co-chair the Congressional App Challenge,” said Hill. “During my time in Congress, central Arkansas students have submitted for consideration more than 75 apps and two winners Anne Li and Michael Davis have come to Washington, D.C., for the national reception. I’m looking forward to helping lead the charge in encouraging students in Arka...
Read more
WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) has been recognized as a “Hero of Main Street” by the National Retail Federation (NRF) for consistently supporting public policy priorities important to the retail industry and its millions of small businesses. “Leading my own business for 16 years and in private business for over 30 years has helped me understand what kind of policies our job creators need to thrive,” said Hill. “I have proudly supported tax reform, legislation to right-size regulati...
Read more
WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act, which passed the House by 406-4. “As a member of Congress and a former banker, I’ve heard from many students and parents telling me their concern of skyrocketing costs of higher education and the misuse of student loans. In my view, the lack of financial education connected to the use of student loans is a key challenge. By requiring borr...
Read more
OPINION: Egypt’s Coptic Christians are in trouble By Henry Srebrnik The Copts of Egypt are over 10 million strong and have lived in the country as Christians for two millennia. Discriminatory state policies and political violence have historically marginalized Copts. There have been widespread attacks on Coptic churches and institutions in Egypt. All this provides the backdrop to the mission of Coptic Solidarity, an advocacy group located in the Washington, DC region. Their ninth annual conferen...
Read more
WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (R-AR) named the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as the latest winner of the Golden Fleece Award for making what appears to be an estimated nearly $1 billion in improper payments to Qualified Health Plan issuers for enrollees that were either ineligible or did not have the proper documentation. “At a time when healthcare costs are skyrocketing and our nation is over $20 trillion in debt, it is essential that our federal agencies act as good steward...
Read more
Business news in brief By Noel Oman New navigation-aid site options revealed The Federal Aviation Administration has identified two potential sites to relocate a ground-based navigation aid for aircraft that is blocking the development of Port Authority of Little Rock property. Bryan Day, the port authority's executive director, said the properties meet FAA guidelines to relocate the VHF Omni Direction Radio Range station, often called a VOR. The properties are at least 100 acres, are within 8 m...
Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Financial Services Committee Whip, Congressman French Hill (R-AR), welcomed Ashley Gunn to serve on his staff as his Senior Advisor on financial services issues. Gunn, a 2010 graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a dual concentration in Real Estate and Business and Public Policy. Gunn’s professional experience includes working at Bank of America Merrill Lynch as an Investment Banking Associate...
Read more
WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after the announcement that the United States and Mexico have made progress on bilateral issues regarding trade negotiations: “I’m pleased to see U.S. Trade Ambassador Lighthizer make progress on negotiations between our country and Mexico on President Trump’s goal of an updated NAFTA. Hopefully, Canada will now come to the table and we can achieve a productive three-way agreement. I will carefully review and work with...
Read more
U.S., Mexico urge Canada to join pact By Arkansas Democratic Gazette President Donald Trump said the U.S. is pursuing a new trade accord with Mexico to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement and called on Canada to join the deal soon or risk being left out. Trump announced the agreement with Mexico in a hastily arranged Oval Office event Monday with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto joining by conference call. Pena Nieto said he is “quite hopeful” Canada would soon be incorporated in...
Read more
