I came to Washington in 2015 to reign in deficit spending and call out wasteful government spending. I brought back the late Sen. William Proxmire’s “Golden Fleece Award” to highlight frivolous and wasteful uses of taxpayer money.

That’s why I in good conscience could not support the budget bill that crossed the Floor this week, H. Con. Res. 11 that green lights President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. This package includes proposals that have nothing to do with assisting Arkansas families, workers, and small businesses and it’s a repeat of nearly $1 trillion of spending from 2020 that hasn’t even been spent yet. 

In 2020, Congress enacted more than $3.4 trillion in COVID-19 relief. The White House and House Democratic leadership have failed to address the fact that more than $1 trillion in resources remain to be spent from the COVID relief laws enacted in 2020. This includes

• $280 billion in urgent help for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program

• $239 billion for health care spending

• $172 billion for unemployment insurance

• $59 billion for schools and teachers

• $58 billion for states and local governments.

Congress has a responsibility to craft a fiscally responsible budget that includes broad, balanced, and bipartisan agreements to fund our government.

Instead, Democrats have chosen to make a power grab to further their own political agenda. That’s not putting Americans first. 

STOPPING CHINA'S PREDATORY LENDING

This week in the Wall Street Journal and on Fox & Friends First I blew the whistle on another terrible Democrat idea.

Democrats in Congress are pushing to direct the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to send billions of dollars to wealthy countries and rogue regimes like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. The biggest winner? China.

China is the world’s largest creditor, and the Chinese Communist Party wants third-world countries caught in its predatory debt trap to use American taxpayer dollars at the IMF to pay China back.

On Thursday, I joined Todd Piro on Fox & Friends First to discuss my op-ed Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal about how requiring the IMF to issue special drawing rights (SDRs) to all member countries would harm the global economy. Watch HERE.

On Friday, I voted against the National Apprenticeship Act, and let me tell you why.

Congress should be favoring employer-led innovation to get Americans back to work and not creating obstacles to job growth and reinforcing a broken, 80-year-old system.

The bill requires a small business to partner with a union in order to get job workforce development funding.  My amendment to make that a union OR non-union organization was rejected by Democrats because of their deep ties to union interests.

It is unfortunate that Democrats would prioritize putting more money in the pocket of organized labor over expanding opportunities to get Americans back to the work in the midst of this public health and economic crisis.

Read my op-ed in the Washington Times for more of my thoughts on this.

SUPPORTING ARKANSAS SMALL BUSINESSES

In this new Congress, I have been asked to continue serving as the Ranking Member on the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy. On Thursday, I helped lead a virtual hearing with Subcommittee Chairman Jim Himes (D-CT) on the resources available to small businesses as our economy reopens.

I was proud to highlight the important work that Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) like Southern Bancorp in central Arkansas do to support small businesses across our nation. I supported increased funding for CDFIs in both the CARES Act and the subsequent COVID-19 relief packages passed last year, and I am committed to supporting small business owners in Arkansas during the economic recovery process.

Watch my opening remarks and questions from the hearing HERE or by clicking on the image below.

REMEMBERING OFFICER BRIAN SICKNICK

On Wednesday, United States Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick laid in honor in the Capitol Rotunda. I was humbled and honored to join my friend Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-7) to pay our respects to Officer Sicknick who gave his life to protect our temple of democracy during the January 6^th attack on the United States Capitol. Together, Ed and I have introduced H. Res. 39 to recognize the sacrifice of law enforcement on January 6^th, including the loss of Officer Sicknick.

I invite all Arkansans to join me in praying for peace and healing for Officer Sicknick’s family and for the continued safety of the men and women of the United States Capitol Police.

PRAYING FOR OUR NATION

On Thursday morning, I joined the 69^th National Prayer Breakfast, where I reflected on how our respective religions bring our nation closer together.

I appreciated the opportunity to gather with my colleagues and hear from faith leaders who spoke at the breakfast. I was especially inspired by the words of Ambassador Andrew Young who spoke about the honesty, love, confidence, and trust that comes from faith. I was inspired and encouraged by the music from We The Kingdom.

Ambassador Young addresses the National Prayer Breakfast.

I will continue to pray for our nation and the work we are striving to accomplish in Congress.

Rep. Hill joins fellow Members of Congress at the National Prayer Breakfast.

PREPARING FOR TAX SEASON

Tax season starts on Friday, February 12^th, 2021, when the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns. The IRS is taking steps to process filings quickly and issue refunds to Arkansans. 

I encourage all Arkansans to file their taxes electronically with direct deposit as the IRS recommends. You can begin filing tax returns immediately with tax software companies, including IRS Free File partners. These groups are starting to accept tax returns now, and the returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting February 12^th.  

If you did not receive the first or second Economic Impact Payment and believe you qualify, you can claim one using the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 tax return. Tax preparation software, including IRS Free File, will help taxpayers figure the amount.

Please contact me at (501) 324-5941 or Hill.House.Gov if you have any questions. We are ready and willing to help Arkansans. 

CELEBRATING WORLD READ ALOUD DAY

Wednesday was Scholastic’s World Read Aloud Day, which celebrates the cultural and educational importance of sharing stories.

It was great to join students at Greenbrier Eastside Elementary School in Greenbrier, Arkansas for a virtual reading of Goodnight Little Rock by Little Rock native and University of Central Arkansas alumna, Emily Wyatt.

I encourage all Arkansans to continue the celebration by sharing stories with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill