Dear Friend,

The first visitor to my Washington office since the pandemic started was none other than Col. (Ret.) Rob Ator – Governor Hutchinson’s appointee managing the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I appreciate Col. Ator coming to my office to brief my staff and me on critical vaccine updates in Arkansas.

He informed me of Arkansas’s success effectively distributing the vaccine, which is key to coming out of this pandemic and returning our communities back to the pre-pandemic way of life.

Vaccines are now available throughout Arkansas and everyone who is over 16 years of age is eligible.

I encourage you to get vaccinated.

To do so, make an appointment at a community pharmacy or visit a vaccine clinic through hospitals, health care providers, or your work. For more information, visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s website.

THE BIDEN BORDER CRISIS RAGES ON

Every day, cartels, fueled by fees for human trafficking and the drug trade, are dropping migrant minors and families across the American border.

They are leaving them to fend for themselves, and it’s not right.

During my trip to the southwest border recently, I saw firsthand why the number of migrants coming to the United States is out of control. I watched migrant families and unaccompanied minors walk across our border into our country and present themselves to the border patrol for processing.

President Biden and his so-called “Border Czar” Vice President Harris are missing in action.

Vice President Harris has been everywhere but the border, and she and her boss have so far REFUSED to bear witness the crisis themselves.

And, they have yet to take any action that would materially change the situation and stop the humanitarian crisis and tragedy.

It’s time they take this seriously.

Read about my seventh visit to the border in the Washington Examiner. Not only do I recount the humanitarian crisis I observed but I offer the urgently needed action the Biden-Harris Administration could take to address the crisis.

ALHPA PHI ALPHA 75^TH ANNUAL SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CONVENTION

I was honored to address the members of the Alpha Phi Alpha meeting for their annual convention in Little Rock last week.

From my participation in Phi Kappa Psi, I understand the values that a fraternity provides collegiate men with. I was happy to attend this regional convention for one of the premier fraternities in the nation and was delighted that they chose Little Rock!

I’m glad to see that, despite this difficult pandemic year, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha are still able to congregate safely and share fellowship with one another.

Alpha men helped build this country. Alpha Phi Alpha members are intelligent and savvy, and I was glad to have had the opportunity visit with them.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY FUTURE LEADERS COUNCIL

I enjoyed meeting with my Future Leaders Council this month for our first in-person meeting to close the 2020-21 school year.

I started the Future Leaders Council in 2017, and it is comprised of fifth graders from across central Arkansas. We meet four times during the school year to learn about the Constitutional roots and practical sides of being a citizen of this great nation.

You might call it a “booster shot” for the civics education the students already receive in school.

I come away from these visits hopeful and encouraged by the students’ curiosity, their interest in our political system, and their love for our nation.

Are you a rising 5th grader, interested in learning about the U.S. Constitution, federalism, checks and balances, or how a bill becomes a law? Do you know one who is? The application process for the 2021-22 school year is now open. If you’re interested, please contact my Little Rock Office at 501-324-5941 or at Hill.House.gov for more information.

BIDEN’S BACKDOOR BILLIONS

The Biden Administration wants to send billions of no strings attached dollars to China, Russia, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela.

Last week, I joined former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and my colleagues at the Republican Study Committee for a press conference in support of the Max Pressure Act. The bill would continue the Trump Administration’s max pressure strategy on Iran and specifically prohibit Iran from accessing Special Drawing Rights funding from the International Monetary Fund – an issue on which I have long advocated.

The Biden Administration should not be promoting the access of billions in hard currency to support these countries. Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 1568 to stop Democrats’ blank check to genocidal regimes and state sponsors of terrorism. It’s a commonsense solution to something that should concern all Americans.

ONE TRILLION TREES TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

I am a proud co-sponsor of the bipartisan Trillion Trees Act, and I congratulate my fellow Arkansan, Congressman Bruce Westerman, for his leadership in introducing this bill.

The Trillion Trees Act will not only make our atmosphere cleaner, it also will make our forests healthier, stronger, and more resilient.

The Trillion Trees Act will restore and grow one trillion trees worldwide. Studies show that restoring one trillion new trees globally would sequester 205 gigatons of carbon, an amount equivalent to two-thirds of all manmade emissions remaining in the atmosphere today.

It’s elegant in its simplicity.

Ideas like these are realistic solutions to improve our environment - unlike the Green New Deal which would cost American taxpayers trillions and outlaw the use of affordable energy, destroying millions of jobs and increasing costs to heat and cool our homes.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill