The National Foster Youth Institute partners with current and former foster youth, their families, and communities to inform and strengthen federal child welfare policy. Through their Congressional Leadership Academy, young adults with lived experience in foster care travel to Washington, shadow congressional offices, receive advocacy and policymaking training, and engage directly with Members and staff.

My team and I had the pleasure of welcoming Dejah Demetrice Carlock to Capitol Hill. Dejah grew up in foster care, raised by her grandmother, and is now a mother herself. She works at Winthrop Rockefeller in Little Rock.

Dejah spent the day with our team, sitting in on a Financial Services Committee hearing and joining meetings, including with the Delta Leadership Institute. She was curious about the legislative process and asked a lot of sharp questions. It was wonderful to spend time with Dejah, and I know our team enjoyed the positive and joyful energy she brought to our office.

It was announced this week that there is bicameral, bipartisan agreement on Rep. Hill’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill on Tuesday, and once again in the House shortly thereafter. Read Rep. Hill’s full statement:

My office recently assisted a Little Rock resident who needed a copy of his Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) from the State Department to verify citizenship so he could begin a new position with the Department of the Interior.

My team worked with him to request a certified copy, gather secondary documentation, and submit a passport application at the same time. Within weeks, the certified CRBA was issued, and the constituent was able to start his new job on schedule.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with passports, federal documentation, or a federal agency, contact our Little Rock office by calling 501-324-5941 or click HERE.

This week, we recognized Arkansas's skilled arborists, the unsung heroes whose work keeps our state green, beautiful, and safe. . . and warm!

When ice storm warnings hit in January, Entergy Arkansas crews had already trimmed over a thousand trees near power lines. That quiet work before the storm kept the lights on for thousands of Arkansas families.

The work is hard, the conditions are dangerous, and almost nobody notices until they don't do it. Thank you.

The Natural State celebrated 190 years of statehood this week.

My family has called Arkansas home for ten generations, since before it was a state, before it had its name. Like so many of you, we've fished in its rivers, hunted its woods, walked its trails. We've built businesses and raised families here, always striving to pass down an Arkansas even stronger than the one we inherited. There is no place I'd rather be from and no greater honor than to serve the people of the state I love.

Happy birthday to our Natural State!

Sunday is Father's Day, a time to celebrate the dads across Arkansas and the country who show up day after day for their families. At our best, fathers are teachers and protectors, a steady hand and a patient voice. And, of course, a dash of discipline.

I am especially grateful for my own Father, Jay, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this past January. The lessons he taught me and the values he instilled guide me to this day.

And to my children, Liza and Payne, being your dad is my proudest accomplishment. Watching you grow into thoughtful, capable adults is a gift I will never take for granted.

To every father, grandfather, uncle, mentor, and father figure out there, thank you for the role you play in shaping strong families and stronger communities.

This week marked both Flag Day and the 251st birthday of the United States Army. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress established the Army to win the colonies their independence. Two years later, in 1777, that same Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes.

The two anniversaries belong together. The flag is our symbol of liberty at home and strength abroad, a beacon of hope to all who look to it. The soldier is the one who carries it, on their uniform and into battle. Generation after generation, they have kept our nation safe and fought for the freedom it represents on battlefields around the world.  

Happy birthday to the United States Army, and a proud Flag Day to all.

On June 17, 1775, American militiamen dug into the heights above Charlestown and waited. The order came down the line: hold your fire "till you see the whites of their eyes." For the outgunned colonists, every shot mattered.

The Redcoats climbed the slope of Breed’s Hill, marching side by side toward the militia line. The farmers and tradesmen turned soldiers didn't flinch. What followed was the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the first major engagements of the Revolutionary War.

The Americans lost the battle, but they held that hill through two British charges, finally breaking ranks on the third when their powder ran dry. The men who faced down an empire that day made a statement that was heard back in London, that no matter the odds, Americans will stand their ground and defend their liberty. That spirit has defined us for 250 years.

Last week’s Trivia:  What was the name of the committee appointed by the Continental Congress to draft the Declaration of Independence? B) The Committee of Five

54.4% of respondents answered correctly. 

The Trump Accounts app officially launched this week. Now every family has a simple, direct way to get involved and start building their child's future. Download it today and make sure your family is ready for the official July 4th launch.

Kids born between January 2025 and December 2028 are eligible for a federal contribution into a “Trump Account.” More than 6 million Americans have already opened accounts, which will begin receiving funding starting the Fourth of July this year, so don’t delay.

Families can sign their kids up for a Trump Account using the IRS Form 4547 as they file their taxes. To learn more, click HERE or call my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941.

My office can arrange tours of the Capitol and many other sights in Washington, D.C., on behalf of you and your family during your stay. Please note: White House tours require Real IDs or other accepted forms of ID, such as a valid passport or U.S. military ID.

If you and your loved ones are planning on visiting Washington, D.C. in the coming months, I recommend you reach out to my office to request tours as soon as possible HERE.

If you have any questions about your visit to Washington, D.C., please call my D.C. office at (202) 225-2506.