Housing is too expensive. For many Arkansans, buying a home is out of reach, preventing families from putting down roots and building long-term financial security.

This challenge is not limited to our state. Families all across the country are facing the same problem.

As Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, making housing affordable again is one of my top priorities. In my committee, we have advanced legislation to increase the supply of housing, cut regulations that drive up construction costs, support community banks and credit unions that provide responsible mortgage lending, and modernize federal housing programs so they actually help first-time homebuyers.

Our work also includes efforts to expand access to starter homes, strengthen the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and improve oversight to ensure federal housing dollars are used effectively and reach the families who need them most.

My focus is simple: young families in central Arkansas should be able to find safe, affordable places to live and share in the economic opportunity that comes with homeownership. If we want a stronger future for Arkansas, we must make housing attainable again.

A few weeks ago, I shared an update on the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, a bill that I proudly cosponsored. This week, Arkansas's own Sharri Briley was in Washington to testify before the House Veterans Affairs Committee and advocate for the bill.

Prior to her testimony, I had the privilege of meeting with Sharri. Her strength, grace, and unwavering advocacy for surviving spouses and families continue to inspire everyone who hears her story.

Sharri’s testimony reminded the committee why this bill matters. Families like the Brileys and the Edmundsons have endured unimaginable loss, and they deserve the strongest possible support from a grateful nation.

I will continue working with my colleagues to move this legislation forward and ensure our country honors the service and sacrifice of heroes like Donovan “Bull” Briley and the families who carry their legacy.

This week, I issued my latest Golden Fleece Award to the United States Space Force for failing to track and recover the true costs of commercial space launches.

Commercial launch activity at federal ranges has more than quadrupled since 2020, yet Space Force still does not have a reliable system to account for the full cost of these operations or to charge commercial providers their fair share for using taxpayer-funded facilities.

The Biden Administration capped indirect cost recovery at levels far below what was needed to maintain critical launch infrastructure. The inaccurate reporting left taxpayers footing the bill for wear and tear on military launch ranges.

While progress was made under the Trump Administration, my Golden Fleece Award highlights that more work is needed to make sure the failures of the previous administration and the shortcomings of the program are fully addressed to ensure taxpayer dollars are not wasted.

Still need to make your Medicare selections for next year? Time is running out — open enrollment ends tomorrow, December 7. Here’s what you or anyone eligible should do:

• Elect or switch between Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. 
• Make changes to health plans for coverage beginning on January 1, 2025. 
• Join, drop, or switch your Medicare coverage after comparing your current coverage to other options.
• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa.

Additionally, the 2026 Medicare & You handbook is an excellent resource that acts as your guide to successfully navigating all that Medicare entails. This guide contains helpful information on the benefits related to your elected plan along with costs and how to manage them. The Medicare & You handbook also addresses common questions and includes helpful resources and contact information.

The Arkansas State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is also an excellent resource to provide help for senior adults and anyone else under the Medicare program. Their mission is to provide help for Arkansans as they navigate their options for Medicare. They are able to connect Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers with certified counselors across the state.

To contact Arkansas SHIIP, you can reach them at 800-224-6330.



If you are ever in need of assistance with Social Security and Medicare benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare premiums, please contact my Little Rock office by calling (501) 324-5941 or clicking HERE.  

The Arkansas National Guard’s 142nd Field Artillery Brigade arrived in Washington, D.C. this week to support local law enforcement and conduct patrols in designated areas. Their deployment is another example of how our Guardsmen embody the motto “Always Ready, Always There,” stepping up whenever and wherever they are needed with professionalism and dedication.

While they are here, I look forward to meeting with these outstanding Arkansans to thank them personally for their service and to hear directly from them about their work, their mission, and the support they need to carry it out successfully.

Last week’s Trivia: Which Native American Tribe Celebrated the First Thanksgiving With the Pilgrims? C. Wampanoag

52.3% of respondents answered correctly.