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JOIN ME FOR A TELEPHONE TOWN HALL TOMORROW
Tomorrow, Tuesday June 15th, I will be hosting a telephone town hall to answer your questions about the issues facing central Arkansas families. If you do not receive a phone call from me by 5:50 CT, you can participate by calling 855-859-7298, or by joining me on Facebook Live.
All central Arkansans are welcome to join and ask questions or listen in to get my take on current events such as infrastructure, increased government spending, and President Biden’s border crisis. Your engagement helps me better represent you in Congress and ensures that your priorities are given a voice in our nation’s capital. I hope you plan to join me tomorrow!
VA PLANS TO EXPAND BENEFITS FOR TOXIC EXPOSURE DISABILITY CLAIMS
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced two major decisions related to presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange and particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia.
Vietnam War-era Veterans who previously filed and were denied benefits for Agent Orange claims involving bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism, will have their cases automatically reviewed without the need to refile a claim. The VA will send letters to veterans impacted by Agent Orange after their disability claims are reviewed.
The VA is also taking a second look at those affected by particulate matter exposures. They are initiating a rulemaking to consider adding respiratory conditions like asthma, sinusitis, and rhinitis to the list of chronic disabilities. Veterans associated with military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Global War on Terror and/or after September 19, 2001, or in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan will also have cases reviewed to see if they should be receiving benefits they were not previously.
To learn more about these decisions please visit the VA website or contact my office at (501) 324-5941.
PRESIDENT BIDEN PRIORITIZES RUSSIAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE OVER AMERICAN
President Biden cancelled the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office, killing good-paying jobs in the energy sector, including right here in central Arkansas.
President Biden green-lighted Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which will only increase Russia’s geopolitical influence in Europe. President Biden has abandoned American workers by prioritizing Russian energy independence over American.
I recently joined 67 of my fellow House Republicans colleagues in sending the White House a letter outlining our strong objections to President Biden waving sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. There should be no reason President Biden should favor Russian natural resources over American.
Shortly after greenlighting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the developers heading the Keystone XL pipeline abandoned the project.
Congress must take action to hold Russia accountable. Arkansas families are the ones who will have to pay the costs in higher gas prices and less jobs, and I will continue to advocate for domestic energy and economic growth.
TALKING INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFLATION ON FOX NEWS
I joined Fox News’ Jon Scott to discuss President Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure bill and rising inflation. A good infrastructure package should not be measured by how much money is spent. It should be measured by the elements of the package that have bipartisan support and targeted contents that truly help the American people.
I know there is bipartisan support for additional funding for roads, bridges, and broadband services to better connect our country.
I will work to ensure that any infrastructure bill that is passed will directly help the people of central Arkansas and provide more jobs in the infrastructure sector.
PROVIDING CRITICAL SUPPORT TO ARKANSAS AGRICULTURE
I spoke alongside my colleagues Rep. Rick Crawford and Rep. Bruce Westerman at the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) panel in Little Rock. It was a pleasure to meet with State Departments of Agriculture from 14 states across the country to discuss trade tax, regulatory policies impacting producers, and how we can provide Arkansas farmers with the resources they need as we come out of the pandemic.
Agriculture is the backbone of the central Arkansan economy, contributing more than $21 billion to our state’s economy each year. I am proud to support Arkansas farmers and the continuous work they put into getting food on our tables and generating income for the local economy.
SASDA strives to improve American agriculture through the development and promotion of sound public policy and agriculture-related business and programs, and to communicate the vital economic importance of agriculture. I am proud to support them in Washington and will continue to advocate for policies that benefit and bolster central Arkansas farmers.
WOUNDED WARRIOR FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
My Little Rock office is looking for wounded and/or disabled veterans who would like an opportunity to continue serving our country by working for Congress. 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 engage in constituent services and work with federal agencies and community organizations on behalf of central Arkansans.
To learn more about the Wounded Warrior Fellowship, please see click HERE.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill |
