Dear Friends,

Today, the House considered legislation for police reform. Unfortunately, the bill we considered doesn’t reflect the spirit of listening and reconciliation that has taken hold across the nation in the past weeks.

Instead of working across the aisle, Speaker Pelosi brought to the House floor a partisan bill from which Republican input was blocked.

Sen. Tim Scott’s (R-SC) bill on police reform met a similar fate in the Senate on Wednesday: even after working across the aisle to put forth reasonable reforms, his bill was blocked by Senate Democrats.

There’s a better way.

That way involved working meaningfully across the aisle on important and impactful legislation – the way that leaders do.

I am proud to support the House version of Sen. Scott’s bill, the JUSTICE Act. It takes some of the best ideas on community policing and improving the standards and best practices for all of our police forces and puts them in one bill.

What Americans need to know is that many of the ideas in Sen. Scott’s bill were also supported by two very different sources: President Obama's 21st Century Policing Task Force and Heritage Foundation.

The ideas have bipartisan support and would create meaningful change in how community policing is conducted.

I am ready to support reforms but Democrat leaders – in both the House and Senate – must come to the table to do the People's business together.

UPDATE: CARES ACT OVERSIGHT COMMISSION

Holding the Federal Government Accountable

Since my appointment in April by Leader Kevin McCarthy, I represent the House on the five-member panel responsible for oversight of $500 billion provided by Congress to support American businesses and to retain American jobs.

Yesterday, the CARES Act Congressional Oversight Commission met in person with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The conversation, which focused on the Treasury and the Federal Reserve’s design and implementation of emergency lending programs, was frank, productive, and thoughtful.

I expressed my concerns over how their Main Street lending facility will function and help, we will continue to conduct oversight to make sure the economy is supported to help all Americans and preserve economic opportunities. I look forward to communicating with the Fed and Treasury in the coming months as well as continuing the important work of overseeing how your hard-earned tax dollars are spent.

I joined Fox Business' Connell McShane to talk about the Commission's conversation, which focused on the Treasury and the Federal Reserve's design and implementation of emergency lending programs to keep Americans employed. To watch my interview, click HERE or on the image below.

The Commission, which also includes Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.), and Bharat Ramamurti, has issued reports in May and June.

Maintaining precautions against covid-19

How to Keep Yourself and Those Around You Healthy

As Arkansas and the rest of the country begin to reopen, it is important that we continue to observe safe social distancing and follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s best practices to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe.

Back to work doesn't mean no commonsense precautions.

Here are some of the guidelines that the CDC has issued on how to stay safe and healthy:

Know how it spreads

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people in close contact (within 6 feet); through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks

The virus is thought to be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Wash your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

If no soap and water are available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.

Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.

Following local guidance, a cloth face cover is recommended when in public. for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.

Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

If you are around others and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.

Throw used tissues in the trash.

Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and Disinfect

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

Monitor your health

Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

o Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.

Take your temperature if symptoms develop.

o Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.

Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

PPP application deadline Coming Soon

Apply for Aid TODAY

The deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan is TUESDAY, June 30th. Contact your lender TODAY.

Over 40,000 small businesses have already benefited deploying over $3.28 billion, keeping countless Arkansans employed.

The loans are forgivable as long as the borrower follows certain parameters.

Find a PPP approved lender HERE.

Craft Spirit week

Businesses in Arkansas Helping to Combat COVID-19

To date, five Arkansas distilleries, including Rock Town Distillery in Little Rock, are producing hand sanitizer to combat COVID-19. This Craft Spirit Week I want to thank our local breweries and distilleries for their contribution to our state’s economy and for stepping up during this public health crisis.

CONNECT for health act

Support for Expanding Mental Health Treatment

Today, June 25th, I joined 50 of my colleagues in supporting the expansion of telehealth services for mental health by co-sponsoring the CONNECT for Health Act of 2019.

As we have seen with the spread of COVID-19 across our state and the increased use of telehealth services, telehealth can be a valuable tool for keeping Arkansans healthy, particularly in underserved areas. As we learn from the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress should provide flexibility to HHS to continue to allow telehealth usage after this national emergency ends.

I am proud to support this measure which would give Arkansans who need medical treatment greater flexibility in receiving help even after COVID-19 has abated.

Interview with Aryze on Financial technology Innovation

Ensuring the United State's Financial Competiveness

Keeping the United States at the head of a competitive, and changing market means spearheading new technology and encouraging innovation. I was glad to speak with ARYZE about financial technology, also called FinTech’s, role in shaping our future economy.

Click HERE or on the image below to read more on the importance of FinTech.

It is my honor to represent you in Congress. Please contact me at (501) 324-5941 or Hill.House.Gov if I may be of service to you.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill