Friends,

NASA touched down in central Arkansas this week.

Working with State Representative Stephen Meeks, my office organized a day of meetings and tours to show NASA what our state has to offer and explore how Arkansas businesses and educators can play a bigger role in the Artemis program.

The day started at the Little Rock Chamber, where a planned meet and greet turned into an impromptu roundtable with business leaders, educators, and local officials.

From there, we drove to Maumelle so NASA's Joel Graham and Kelvin Manning could tour BEI Precision. BEI has been a NASA supplier for six decades, and Joel and Kelvin got a firsthand look at the sensors, encoders, and motion control systems used in everything from spacecraft to armored vehicles, helicopters, and fighter jets.

We finished at the State Capitol, where Chairman Meeks hosted a joint meeting of the Senate and House Education Committees and the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology.

Joel briefed members on Artemis, NASA's effort to return Americans to the Moon, establish a permanent presence there, and ultimately push deeper into space. He also made clear what is at stake: America is once again in a space race, and this time we face real competition from China.

Kelvin emphasized that meeting that challenge will require government, industry, universities, and suppliers from across the country working together, and Arkansas is well positioned to play a bigger role in that effort.

Under Governors Hutchinson and Sanders, Arkansas has recruited businesses and expanded our role in growing national defense supply chains. From Camden’s role in America’s "Arsenal of Democracy" to the work being done at BEI, we have shown what Arkansas workers and manufacturers contribute to our nation's military capabilities. Combine that with our investments in STEM education and our strong university system, and Arkansas has the talent and infrastructure to be a major player in America’s space program.

Leadership in space is increasingly important to our national security, while exploration drives scientific and technological breakthroughs here on Earth. And there is something distinctly American about pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

That is why the federal government needs to make sure NASA has the resources to succeed, and why I was proud to support nearly $10 billion for NASA in the Working Families Tax Cuts last summer to advance Artemis and America’s broader Moon-to-Mars mission.

This visit was about making sure Arkansas has a seat at the table as that work moves forward. I am grateful to Chairman Meeks for partnering with us to make it happen.

Now that the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is law, the next step is making sure it works for our communities. That means getting out, answering questions, and hearing from local leaders about which parts of the law matter most to them so I can take that feedback to Washington as the rules of the road are written.

That is why it was great to meet with the Searcy Chamber this week, where the conversation was as good as the BBQ.

The following day, I continued that conversation with mayors from across the state at a meeting of the Arkansas Municipal League in North Little Rock. We talked about the housing challenges their communities are facing, how the new law can help, and what they need from Washington as it is implemented.

Between the two meetings, we covered a lot of ground, including:

• Speeding up local approvals: The law creates grants to help communities develop “pattern books” of pre-approved home designs, cutting down on permitting time and costs so builders can get more homes built faster.
• Expanding manufactured housing: The law eliminates the outdated requirement that manufactured homes be built on a permanent steel chassis, giving manufacturers more flexibility in how homes are designed and installed and expanding options for more affordable housing.
• Rewarding communities that build: The law uses Community Development Block Grant funding as both a carrot and a stick, providing additional funding for certain communities that increase housing production while reducing funding for some that lag behind.

Getting housing policy right requires hearing from the people dealing with these challenges every day. I appreciate everyone who took the time to share their perspective, and I look forward to more conversations like these across Arkansas.

We covered a lot of ground at my Veterans Advisory Council in Searcy on Monday, from VA services and TRICARE to the challenges veterans face when transitioning from active duty to civilian life. The meeting also gave me the opportunity to update them on several veterans bills we are working on in Washington, and for my veterans team and me to answer their questions.

It was especially good to see my friend and Gold Star spouse Sharri Briley and talk about the bill bearing her name, which I championed through the House as an original cosponsor to help ensure catastrophically disabled veterans and their families receive the benefits they have earned.

These conversations matter, which is why I hold these meetings several times a year. Hearing directly from Arkansas veterans helps me better understand the challenges they are facing and gives me important feedback I can take back to Washington as we work to make sure they receive the care, benefits, and services they have earned.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Searcy and, most importantly, thank you for your service to our country.

Rep. Hill joined David Asman on FOX Business’ Kudlow this week to discuss the state of the economy, the need to rein in federal spending, and how the Working Families Tax Cuts are helping American families and businesses.

Key Quotes

On the Working Families Tax Cuts:

“No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, incentives to make capital investments that's got manufacturing and capital growth growing in this country, no tax on most Social Security for seniors, those were additions to the first term's tax reform along with doubling the child tax credit.”

On economic growth and government spending:

“President Trump's supply-side approach to both tax and regulatory policy has produced that economic growth that dwarfs our competition around the world.”

“But what we have is an uncontrolled spending problem. We're running these deficits, 50% of our deficit is now interest on the debt. And that's been really an avalanche since the pandemic.”

Last week’s Trivia: What inspired the name and iconic beaver logo of the Buc-ee's convenience store chain? D) All of the above

52% of respondents answered correctly.

It's Back to School Time - Drive Safely!

As students across central Arkansas head back to school, it’s a good time to remember to slow down and stay alert, especially in school zones and neighborhoods.

Watch for children crossing the street, obey school bus stop signs, and be mindful that morning and afternoon commutes may take longer. Let’s work together to make sure every student gets to and from school safely.

To all the students, parents, teachers, and school staff—wishing you a wonderful and successful school year ahead!

Treasury just finalized the investment lineup for Trump Accounts as funding begins.

Initial contributions will go into a default, low-cost fund tracking the broader U.S. stock market, chosen specifically to keep fees well below the legal cap.

In the coming months, families will also be able to choose from four additional low-cost index funds:

• iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)
• Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)
• State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM)
• iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT)

These funds have been selected to provide diversified exposure across major segments of the financial markets while keeping investment costs low.

These accounts can be managed through the Trump Accounts app, available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play. If you haven't downloaded it yet, do so today so you're ready when funding begins Friday.

All kids born between January 2025 and December 2028 are eligible for a $1,000 federal contribution into a Trump Account. Millions of families have already signed up.

You can open an account by filing IRS Form 4547 through TrumpAccounts.gov, or when filing your 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.