The most important part of my job in Congress is hearing from Arkansans about the issues that matter to them.

On Tuesday night, I hosted a conference call to take your questions and discuss your concerns about the issues facing you and your family.

If you were unable to tune in, watch the full event by clicking HERE or on the image below.

Here are some of the questions from last night:

Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine, and what about the new strains?

As of January 18th, Arkansas is in Phase 1-B of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.  This includes seniors ages 70 and older, those who work in education, and those in Phase 1-A who have not received their vaccinations.  Click HERE for the full COVID-19 Vaccination Plan from the Arkansas Department of Health. 

I hope that all Arkansans will get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to you. 

In the meantime, please protect yourself and your family by practice social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands frequently.

Will there be another COVID-19 relief package?

The president is calling for another $1.9 billion, but I believe we should not rush into another bill before the $900 billion relief bill passed in December has been rolled out and had the chance to help Americans.  That includes additional vaccines to get more Americans vaccinated.  It also includes an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which I fully support for how it was able to help Arkansas businesses last year.

Any further relief should be targeted by industry and to those who need it the most.

Should the United States rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO)?

The United States withdrew from the WHO last year because it appeared that the WHO helped China cover up its role in the spread of COVID-19 and to call attention to the lack of accountability and independence at the WHO and its initial response to the pandemic. It was not meant to undermine the good work that the organization does for public health.

I am calling on President Biden to call attention to China’s manipulation of the WHO and hold the Chinese Communist Party and those at the WHO accountable for the delayed response to the pandemic.

Should President Biden increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour?

I do not support increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour because labor markets are a local concern and should not be federally mandated.  Additionally, increased minimum wages have been shown to lead to higher prices, job losses and reduced hours, lower overall wages.  Finally, Arkansas voters spoke and Arkansas is phasing in a new minimum wage – decision that was made at the local level with input from local businesses and citizens.

Are our elections secure?

Americans deserve to have full confidence in the integrity and security of our elections. Due to the pandemic, our election system was under unprecedented strain. I share Arkansans’ concerns about the hasty adoption of mail-in ballot systems and lack of adherence to voter ID laws.  

I support creating a bipartisan commission to review the November election results, assess procedures, identify irregularities, and make recommendations to the states for reform. I disagree with those who would give the federal government more control over our election system. The Framers specifically gave that power to the states in our Constitution, and I pledged an oath to the Constitution.

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It is an honor to serve as your voice in Congress. If you have any additional questions or need assistance with a matter before the federal government, please contact my office at Hill.House.Gov or call my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941.

 
Representative French Hill