The Working Families Tax Cuts that passed the House last summer delivered significant wins for our farmers and ranchers. The law invests over $59 billion over the next decade in the farm safety net, including major updates to Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, which will help address persistent inflation and rising production costs. It also expanded benefits for beginning farmers and ranchers and made crop insurance more affordable. 

The law also delivered important tax relief, raising the estate tax exemption to $15 million per individual ($30 million for a married couple) to protect our illiquid family farms, and making the qualified business income deduction permanent.

The Trump administration has also taken direct action. In December, President Trump signed an Executive Order targeting price fixing, anti-competitive behavior, and foreign influence in the seed, fertilizer, and farm equipment markets. And the administration is opening new markets abroad. South Korea purchased $1 billion in corn, more than double from 2024. Bangladesh purchased $172 million in soybeans. And Japan and China have agreed to purchase Arkansas crops like rice and soybeans.

Last month, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee, building on the Working Families Tax Cuts to deliver a strong, commonsense Farm Bill that supports producers, protects crop insurance, and provides the certainty farmers need to plan for the future. While this bill awaits action on the House floor, Republicans continue to fight for our farmers and ranchers in Arkansas and across America.

Our farmers do not ask for much. They ask for a fair shot, clear rules, and the freedom to do what they do best. During National Agriculture Week, we honor their work, their sacrifice, and their commitment to feeding America.

The House Financial Services Committee held a meeting in Little Rock last week.

For years, I pushed for answers, wrote oversight letters, and called for investigations into what was happening at the Metropolitan Housing Alliance. Now, as Chairman, I can do more than ask.

We heard from local officials, legal authorities, and MHA's new executive director, Dr. Nadine Jarmon, about the steps being taken to stabilize operations. But the testimony made clear that the damage from years of mismanagement runs deep. MHA has not produced audited financial statements since 2018. Nearly $30 million in expenses are considered questionable or potentially disallowed.

Those failures have real consequences. At Madison Heights Apartments, for example, egregious decisions put more than 240 affordable housing units at risk from foreclosure proceedings.

I saw that reality firsthand. After the hearing, I walked through the property. I saw a place where real families have lived through unsafe conditions, uncertainty, and broken promises for years.

I was glad to hear the new management's focus on leasing and returning all units to good order. Some improvements have been made. But families are still there, still waiting, still wondering whether they will have a place to live. That is not acceptable.

When public housing is run this way, real people pay the price. We’ve seen it here in Little Rock for too long.

These problems took years to build, and they will take time to fully fix. But as Chairman, I am committed to ending the decline and improving the lives of the families who depend on these programs. MHA's new leadership has a real opportunity to turn the page. HUD has work to do as well. I will continue to fight for change and hold both accountable. Arkansas families have waited long enough.

I held another meeting of my Future Leaders Council last Saturday in Little Rock. It’s always a joy to be around young students as they learn about American civics and what it means to take part in our democracy.

At the meeting, the fifth graders divided into two groups to craft their own legislation. Both groups came up with great ideas. One drafted the “Review of AI Act,” and the other the “Superior Recess Act of 2026.” Both were thoughtful, well-structured, and I have no doubt they would receive strong bipartisan support.

Special thanks to Arkansas State Senator Mark Johnson for joining us and talking with the students about how our state government works and why federalism matters.

If you know a rising 5th-grader for next school year (2026-27) who would like to join my next Future Leaders Council, please email Susan Muller in my Little Rock office or call (501) 324-5941. We would love to see them!

Here are a few of the measures approved by the House of Representatives this week: 

S. 3971: The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The bill also includes several reforms to strengthen the security of research and protect federally funded research from foreign influence. These two programs are key sources of funding for small businesses.

H.R. 1958: The Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026 ensures criminal aliens who have committed fraud can be deported.

H.R. 556: The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act increases access to hunting and fishing on federal lands by reversing the lead ammunition and tackle ban.

I met with six central Arkansans from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research to discuss this heartbreaking disease that affects thousands of families across our state and nearly a million across the country. Roughly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. That is why I have consistently supported National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding and high-risk/high-reward Congressionally Directed Medical Research funding to fight Parkinson's disease. I will continue to support efforts to find better treatments and, one day, a cure so that no American has to suffer from this disease.

Loved welcoming Neal Lea and Ellen Kreth from the Little Rock Garden Club to Washington this week. I enjoyed listening and learning more about the importance of planting native species and protecting native plant ecosystems. We also talked about the National Park System, advocacy for programs that support and protect our ecosystems, and their continued support and preservation of our outdoor spaces that help make The Natural State so special.

After last week's HBCU Summit in Little Rock, I accompanied my friend and Co-Chair of the House Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), to visit the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site alongside Preserve Arkansas to learn more about ongoing preservation efforts and what it will take to protect this landmark for future generations.

In 1957, nine courageous students walked through those doors and changed the course of American history. The Little Rock Nine faced hostility and fear to take their rightful place in the classroom, and in doing so redefined what equal access to education means in this country. Their courage continues to inspire people around the world, and it is our responsibility to make sure this site endures as a place where that story can be told and remembered.

To learn more about Central High and its place in American history, click HERE.

Thirty-two years ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks won the 1994 NCAA Tournament and claimed their first and only national title. Rolling through Georgetown, Michigan, and Arizona with their signature style of play, Arkansas beat Duke 76–72 to win the championship, with Corliss Williamson leading the way and Scotty Thurman hitting the shot that sealed it in the closing minute. In Arkansas, that 1994 team remains the standard for Razorback basketball. It reflected the toughness and pride of the state and stands as one of the defining moments in program history.

Last week’s Trivia: The Continental Army forced the British to evacuate Boston by fortifying which strategic location overlooking the city? C) Dorchester Heights

By placing artillery on Dorchester Heights in March 1776, General George Washington made the British position in Boston untenable, since the guns overlooked both the city and the harbor. This forced the British, under General William Howe, to evacuate Boston on March 17, 1776.

21.3% of respondents answered correctly; 37.1% answered "Beacon Hill," and 37.1% answered "Bunker Hill."  

My Office is Hiring Summer Interns!

Here’s what you need to know if you're interested in applying:

Interns in my office gain valuable insight into the legislative process while directly helping constituents across the Second Congressional District. Opportunities are available in both my Washington, D.C. office and my Little Rock district office.

Responsibilities include answering constituent calls, conducting policy research, assisting with casework, and supporting communications and administrative tasks.

Ideal candidates are self-starters with strong communication skills, a working knowledge of current events and public policy, and a willingness to pitch in wherever needed. Arkansas ties are strongly preferred. Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on availability.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to AR02.Applications@mail.house.gov and indicate which office you are applying to. Applications are due by March 27, but will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Click HERE for more information. If you have questions, call my office at (202) 225-2506. We look forward to welcoming the next class of interns to Team Hill.

With no tax on tips or overtime, increased deductions for seniors on Social Security, immediate expensing for small businesses, and more, the Working Families Tax Cuts passed by House Republicans last summer will help put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Arkansans.

To help ensure you are taking full advantage of these new deductions and tax savings, my team is hosting two IRS Outreach Days in partnership with local tax experts: 

• The Taxpayer Advocate Service
• Legal Aid of Arkansas’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
• The non-profit organization Arkansas Asset Builders

Faulkner County
Thursday, March 26th
10 AM to 2 PM
The Don Owen Sports Center
10 Lower Ridge Rd. Conway, AR 72032 

If you need help navigating a tax issue or filing your taxes, we encourage you to stop by and speak with our team.

Submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition are now open!

This competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent from across central Arkansas, with the winning artwork displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

I will again be hosting a “Fan Favorite” award, where central Arkansans can vote for their favorite piece. The artwork that wins Fan Favorite will be displayed in my Little Rock office.

This challenge is open to all students in grades 9 through 12 who live in Arkansas’s Second Congressional District. The deadline to submit artwork to my office is Tuesday, March 31 at 12:00 pm CST.

One small change from years past: Students are no longer required to submit a photo of themselves with their artwork.

For more information and full submission instructions, click HERE.

          Last year's winner, "Beyond the Familiar" by Amber Bae.

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 to visit 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.