Dear Friend

I join all Americans in mourning the deaths of thirteen American service members and hundreds of Afghan civilians outside of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The brave service members represented the best of our nation, and this loss is felt deeply across our nation.

The attack marked the deadliest day for the U.S. military in Afghanistan since 2011 and was cowardly and heinous.

I pray for the families of the service members who tragically lost their lives as well as those injured.

The tragic events in Kabul further demonstrate the complete tactical and strategic incompetence of the Biden Administration.

My team and I have been working around the clock to help more than 300 individuals in Afghanistan reach safety, including those connected to Arkansas’s Fulbright program and former military service members working to get the Afghan civilians who served alongside them on the battlefield to safety.

Those in harm’s way deserve our help. If you know of someone trying to exit Afghanistan, please contact my Little Rock office at 501-324-5941.

ASSISTANCE FOR OUR VETERANS

I want central Arkansas veterans to know that my office is here for you and resources are available if you find yourself in distress or questioning your service due to the situation in Afghanistan.

Our veteran staff is available if you need assistance, so please contact our office at (501) 324-5941. Additionally, you may call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or contact a Vet Center to speak with other veterans by dialing 1-877-927-8387. Additional resources can be found at www.va.gov.

CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED

I strongly encourage all Arkansans who are not currently vaccinated against COVID-19 to consult with their doctor about getting vaccinated.

The federal government has found the vaccine safe and effective, and the Pfizer vaccine was recently given full approval by the FDA for those 16 and older.

I hope this approval milestone will give Arkansans not yet vaccinated confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

Studies have found that those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are much less likely to get infected and a small percentage of those that become infected after receiving a vaccine have experienced milder cases of COVID.

The Pfizer vaccine is available to Arkansans ages 12 and up, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for adults over 18.

To find a free COVID-19 vaccine near you, visit vaccines.gov, call 1-800-232-0233, or text your zip code to 438829. For more information visit the Arkansas Department of Health website.

WHY I VOTED AGAINST DEMOCRATS’ TAX & SPENDING SPREE

Last week, House Democrats, led by Speaker Pelosi, resorted to legislative tricks and smoke and mirrors to pave the way for one of the largest spending bills in American history.

I voted no on this bill because it will raise taxes on hardworking Arkansans, result in higher inflation, and add trillions to our national debt.

To learn more about why I voted no on this bill, click HERE or on the image below.

EVICTION MORATORIUM

The Supreme Court recently blocked the Biden Administration’s eviction moratorium.

The Biden Administration knew that this would happen, yet they recklessly pressed forward.

I, along with Financial Services Committee Republicans, have a solution to fix the Biden Administration’s extreme mismanagement of the Emergency Rental Assistance programs.

The Renter Protection Act would help get funds out the door more quickly AND help keep Americans in their homes.

How? It’s commonsense – our bill consolidates two confusing programs into one which means that more money can get into the hands of those who need it – and faster.

But Chairman Maxine Waters and House Democrats continue to block our bill and instead want to throw more money at the problem even though barely 10% of federal rental assistance has made it into the hands of those who need it – leaving nearly $42 billion that has yet to be distributed.

VETERAN UPDATE: IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR CAREGIVERS, SERVICE ANIMALS

The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) has amended their visitation and service animal policy to better accommodate central Arkansas veterans.

FOR CAREGIVERS– Veterans with outpatient appointments may have one adult (over 18) caregiver) accompany the patient into the facility. Services and screeners no longer need to seek Executive Leadership approval. If an outpatient brings more than one caregiver, Executive Leadership approval is still required.

FOR SERVICE ANIMALS – Veterans with outpatient appointments accompanied by a service animal may be permitted with the animal but should have a caregiver with them to take care of the animal if they are going to the Emergency Department, ICU, or a procedural area where the animal cannot enter. Services and screeners no longer need to seek Executive Leadership approval.

Know before you go:

Screeners and staff are to not ask if the animal is a “certified” service animal

Screeners and staff are to not ask about the Veteran’s disability or need for the animal

Service animals are not required by law to wear a marked vest

If the animal is unruly, obviously a danger to others, or is aggressive, staff will respectfully ask that the animal be removed.

The service animal must always remain under the care and control of the owner or caregiver.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill