Dear Friend,

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress came together to pass bipartisan and targeted relief packages to provide for families and hard-working Americans. Now, as vaccines are distributed and Americans are returning to work, the Biden administration is spending an unprecedented amount of money in an untargeted and frivolous way.

I spoke on the House Floor expressing my concern that this untargeted, manic spending will impoverish our children and grandchildren and is too many dollars chasing too few goods.

Inflation is ultimately just another tax on Arkansans trying to make a living wage, save for retirement, or send their kids to college.

BLOOMBERG SURVEILLANCE: BIDEN’S NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

I joined Bloomberg Surveillance Friday morning to discuss the bipartisan infrastructure package that was announced last Thursday. Unfortunately, moderate Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have been thrown under the bus by their proposed compromise because immediately upon reaching a bipartisan agreement with President Biden, Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer said they wouldn’t support this bill until they raise taxes on working Americans and businesses and pass their Green New Deal through budget reconciliation. Once again, President Biden is a prisoner of the left-wing of the Democratic Party.

Spending needs to be targeted and it is time to get back to identifying spending priorities instead of proposing to spend $6 trillion and increase the size of the federal government. I do not support raising taxes on central Arkansans who are trying to support their families.

NEW FUNDING FOR ROCK REGION METRO

Last week, I, along with U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, announced that the Rock Region METRO Project was awarded grant funding from the Department of Transportation through the Low and No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle Grant Program.

More than 2.5 million passengers rely on the Rock Region METRO each year. Many Pulaski county families use these buses every day to get to work, buy groceries, or make healthcare appointments, so it’s critical that they remain up to date. This grant will invest in the future of Little Rock’s workforce and make central Arkansas a better place to live.

The $4.9 million grant for Rock Region METRO will support the transit system’s purchasing or leasing of low or no emission buses and other transit vehicles that use advanced technologies such as battery electric and fuel-cell power to provide cleaner, more efficient service in communities across the country.

I am proud to support the Rock Region METRO and improve accessibility and public transit in central Arkansas.

AEC YOUTH TOUR: ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARKANSANS

I had the pleasure of speaking to the 2021 Arkansas Youth Tour answering students’ questions about my career prior to my service in Congress, my daily life as a Member of Congress in Arkansas and Washington, D.C., and the importance of being engaged in civic life and public service.

Each year, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas puts on the Arkansas Youth Tour and takes high school students from across the state to Washington, D.C. to learn about U.S. history, civics, and a cooperative business model. Each student then gets the opportunity to perform a service project in their communities to be eligible for scholarships.

If you or someone you know is interested in the program, please visit their website.

WOUNDED WARRIOR FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

My Little Rock office is looking for veterans to serve in my office as part of the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program. The two-year paid fellowship will provide veterans with experience and exposure to broaden their career opportunities. Those selected for the program will be given the opportunity to transition into full-time employment, as members of my current staff have previously.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter along with your most recent DD214 and a letter from the VA indicating a 30% or greater disability rating to housewoundedwarriors@mail.house.gov. Fellows will help central Arkansans with matters before the federal government, including the Veterans Administration, and community organizations on behalf of central Arkansans.

To learn more about the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program, please click HERE.

FOSHEE FAMILY FINALISTS FOR ARKANSAS FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to the Foshee Family in Conway County for being one of eight families named in the 74th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program.

The Foshees have been farming for 37 years and have more than 2,300 pecan trees in addition to pine trees on 122 acres. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all are involved in the farm as well. Their family is an excellent representation of Arkansas agriculture – the state’s largest industry – and family values. All winners are judged on their farm production, efficiency, management, family life, and rural/community leadership.

The eight district winners will now be judged to determine a state winner, which will be announced on December 9, 2021. The selection of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year will then go on to represent Arkansas in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition. I wish the Foshee family the best of luck in this competition.

APPLY NOW FOR THE CERTS PROGRAM

I want to pass along information regarding the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Program, which provides eligible transportation service companies with resources to help maintain payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off, and cover applicable overhead and operational expenses. The CERTS Program was created to support transportation service providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including motorcoach, school bus, passenger vessel, and pilot vessel companies.

Under the program, the U.S. Treasury will provide up to $2 billion in grants to eligible companies that certify they have experienced an annual revenue loss of 25 percent or more as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19.

The CERTS portal found on the program website here is currently open and accepting applications for eligible companies in central Arkansas. Additionally, on the program website are CERTS program guidelines, frequently asked questions, and instructions regarding the ID.me identity service.

To be considered for a CERTS grant, an application must be completed, electronically signed, and submitted through the portal by 11:59 PM ET on Monday, July 19. Please note that after the deadline, the portal will not accept new applications, and users will not be able to finish draft applications in the portal. I encourage those central Arkansans impacted by COVID-19 to apply so their companies can be on the path to economic recovery.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill