Here are a few things to know as you file:

• A permanently doubled standard deduction, used by roughly 90 percent of taxpayers, making filing quicker and simpler.
• Lower tax rates and brackets made permanent, preventing what would have been the largest tax increase in American history.
• An expanded Child Tax Credit for families.
• No tax on tips and no tax on overtime pay.
• A $6,000 deduction for seniors on Social Security, with 88 percent of seniors age 65 and older expected to owe nothing on their Social Security income.
• Enhanced deductions and immediate expensing for small businesses.
• An estate tax exemption was raised to $15 million per individual to protect family farms from the Death Tax.
• Trump Accounts, giving every child born between 2025 and 2028 a $1,000 federal deposit that builds a savings nest egg over time for each young life. To learn more, click HERE.

A typical Arkansas family of four will see thousands of dollars in additional take-home pay this year. These are real dollars staying in Arkansas communities, not going to Washington, with more than $100 billion in total refunds expected across the nation this year.

For tax filing resources, click HERE. If you need assistance with the IRS, contact my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941 or click HERE.

Talking Civics with Southside High School Students

On Wednesday, I visited Southside High School in Van Buren County, where I met with Mr. CJ Tanner's history and civics classes. Talking with students is one of my favorite things to do when I'm back home, especially when the topic is how our government works.

These students came prepared. They wanted to know about the bills we are working on in Washington, how those efforts will affect their communities, and what a typical day looks like for their congressman. Their curiosity and candor reminded me exactly why I do this work. I left feeling proud to represent them and optimistic about the future of our state and our nation.

Paving the Roads for Future Equipment Operators

I had the opportunity to join a group of high school students from Izard County Consolidated for a tour of the Heavy Equipment Operating Academy in Van Buren County. The academy provides hands-on workforce training for students looking to build careers in heavy equipment operation, careers that are much in demand and vital to our communities and our economy.

What stood out to me was how student-centered the program is. Customized tracks ranging from three to ten weeks, financial aid, lodging, and networking opportunities mean that real barriers to entry are being removed for young Arkansans who want to build a career with their hands. That is exactly the kind of practical, results-driven training our workforce needs. I look forward to seeing the impact this program has on our local economy in the years to come.

From Classroom to Career: Welding the Future

I visited the Arkansas Elite Welding Academy in Quitman earlier this week. Skilled pipe welders are in growing demand at the refineries, power plants, and chemical plants in our state and across the nation, and this academy is making sure Arkansas has them.

The numbers tell the story. Founded in 2016 by Travis Bird with just six students, the academy now boasts an alumni base of nearly 700, sought after by contractors across the nation. I was glad to see the program firsthand alongside current students, and I cannot wait to see where they end up.

Celebrating Conservation at the Opening of Arkansas's Fiscal Session

The Arkansas General Assembly has convened for its fiscal session. I was pleased to attend the opening reception hosted by some of the state's great conservation organizations, including the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, led by Director Doug Schoenrock and Deputy Director Ben Batten, and the Arkansas chapter of the National Wildlife Federation, led by Terri Lane. It was also great to see Col. Joe Williams with the Commission.

One piece of news worth highlighting: the National Wildlife Federation will hold its annual meeting in Little Rock in the summer of 2027. That is a terrific recognition of Arkansas as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists, and I cannot wait to welcome them here.

The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Investment and Innovation is the latest recipient of my Golden Fleece Award, which I award monthly to highlight wasteful or mismanaged federal spending.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a key resource that helps startups and small businesses develop innovative technologies and products, and helps bring them to market. But a handful of repeat players are gaming the system. The top 25 companies, less than 1% of participants, captured roughly 18% of early-stage funding, and 6 companies have received over 1,000 awards without bringing products to market. SBA is supposed to fund innovation, not subsidize companies whose only innovation is gaming the grant system.

I look forward to working with House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX) to restore accountability and make sure this important program helps entrepreneurs and startups deliver for Americans.

As many of you may have noticed, I am really enjoying celebrating America's 250th birthday. From the inspiring stories from our founding era and American history trivia that we include in the weekly newsletter to the posts across my social media channels and A250 events in Arkansas and our Nation’s Capital, America's semiquicentennial gives me the chance to share my love of our history and our nation. It is also an opportunity for me to hear from the next generation about what America means to them.

That is why I am excited to announce the America250 Essay Contest, open to students in grades 6 through 12 across central Arkansas.

There are three divisions:

• 6th and 7th grade: Up to 500 words
• 8th and 9th grade: Up to 750 words
• 10th through 12th grade: Up to 1,000 words

Here are the essay prompts:

6th and 7th grade: Who is your favorite Founder (man or woman) and why do you admire them?

8th through 12th grade: 

After traveling throughout America in 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville observed that America was exceptional and unique in history: a nation founded not on ethnicity or a shared ancestry, but on the ideals of liberty, self-governance, and equality under God. How have these ideals contributed to America's greatness?

The deadline to submit is May 24, 2026 at 5 PM CT.

All submissions must be made through the submission forms below:

6th-7th grade

8th-9th grade

10th-12th grade

For additional information, including prize information, click HERE.

Spread the word to a student, teacher, or parent you know. The next great American voice might be right here in Arkansas.

Last week’s Trivia: Who was the first American in space? D) Alan Shepard

While John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, it was Alan Shepard who became the first American in space, completing a 15-minute suborbital flight on May 5, 1961, on Freedom 7 as part of the Mercury program.

43.3% of respondents answered correctly. (35.3% selected "John Glenn")

April is National Financial Literacy Month, a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about a topic near and dear to me: the importance of responsible financial decision-making and the tools available to help families succeed. As a former community banker, I have seen firsthand the dividends that financial literacy can pay.

Knowing how to budget and invest, understanding the importance of saving, and being prepared for financial challenges are skills that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Arkansans.

It is never too early, or too late, to learn how to manage your finances and prepare for the future. There are resources across the district to help individuals and families build a solid financial foundation.

For a list of financial literacy resources, visit the Arkansas Financial Education Commission, or call my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941.

Kids born between January 2025 and December 2028 are eligible for a federal contribution into a “Trump Account.” More than 4 million Americans have already opened accounts, which will begin receiving funding starting the Fourth of July this year, so don’t delay.

This is also an opportunity for philanthropists to invest directly in the next generation, with leaders like Michael and Susan Dell and Ray and Barbara Dalio already stepping up to help fund these accounts. Through Treasury’s “50 State Challenge,” more private-sector leaders are being encouraged to get involved and support children and families across the country.

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.