Dear Friends,
Following a productive district work period at home in Arkansas, I am back in Washington today for what is shaping up to be a busy legislative week. Congress will continue its work on moving forward with the appropriations process, receive an address to a joint-session of Congress from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and vote on a bill that deals with the Puerto Rico financial crisis.
Currently, Puerto Rico is faced with a $72 billion debt and $46 billion in pension liability that is covered by only $2 billion in net assets, and the Governor of Puerto Rico has warned of the need to enact debt restructuring measures to avoid default on looming bond payments owed by the government of Puerto Rico, which could lead to a financial collapse of the territory.
Unlike states and municipalities in the United States, federal U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, are unable reorganize debts through the U.S. bankruptcy code, and unlike states and municipalities, Congress is responsible for the administration of the territories.
This leaves Congress with the decision to become involved or not in Puerto Rico effectively managing this crisis by insisting on oversight and significant structural changes in Puerto Rico to ensure the territorial government effectively manage this crisis.
I am committed to ensuring that any bill to address the crisis in Puerto Rico does not result in a requirement that American taxpayers bailout the territory from debt, and I do not believe that federal taxpayers should be forced to bailout any state, local, or territory government from debt that has been caused by their own mismanagement and ineffective policies.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill |
Photos for the District Work Week
Rep. Hill with Jack Curtis of Boy Scout Troop 30 in Little Rock, after he received his Eagle Award.
Rep. Hill meets with a veteran on Memorial Day. |
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News for the Week
In Little Rock, Alzheimer's Association President Calls for More Research
Arkansas Business
The number of Arkansans suffering from Alzheimer's disease is expected to increase almost 25 percent — from 54,000 to 67,000 — by 2025 as the state's population continues to age, according to Alzheimer's Association President and CEO Harry Johns. During a quick trip to Little Rock on Wednesday, Johns met with U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark.; Gov. Asa Hutchinson; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences staff and others working to combat the disease.
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Washington news in brief
Arkansas Online
During the Memorial Day break, Arkansas' 2nd District U.S. Rep. French Hill and U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich. visited central Arkansas workforce training sites. Lawrence is the founder of Congress' Skilled Workforce Caucus, and Hill is the organization's co-chairman. The two lawmakers stopped by the John Deere Agriculture Technology program at Arkansas State University-Beebe. They also learned about workforce-training initiatives at Maverick Transportation and Dassault Falcon Jet.
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D-Day Message
Yesterday, marked the 72nd anniversary of D-Day. To commemorate the event Rep. Hill went to the National World War II Memorial in Washington to film a short video message. Rep. Hill's father is a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and his father-in-law helped free Europe as part of the Third Army fighting alongside General George Patton.
Click here to watch Rep. Hill's video message on the D-Day Anniversary.
Rep. Hill on KARN
As part of his weekly radio interview with KARN's Kevin Miller, Rep. Hill discussed the Skilled Workforce Caucus visit to Arkansas, his recent op-ed in Newsmax about winning the War on Terror, and the latest developments at the Little Rock VA Medical Center.
Click the image below to listen to the interview.
You can hear Rep. Hill on KARN every Thursday at 7:08 AM CT.
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Telephone Town Hall with Rep. Hill
Today, at 3PM CT, Rep. Hill will host a telephone town hall with constituents. Rep. Hill frequently holds these to hear from and talk with people in central Arkansas about their issues and concerns with the federal government. If you are interested in listening or participating in the call, please dial 877-229-8493 and then use 114451 as the access code .
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FEMA Funds Aid Mayflower
Last week, KARK reported on Mayflower’s new, state-of-the-art storm shelter that was built to help protect the people against potential tornadoes in the future.
Following the story, Rep. Hill released the following statement:
"A little over two years ago, when the deadly tornado touched down in the towns of Mayflower and Vilonia, the community was unprepared to deal with the immediate devastation. In the coming days, weeks, and months we saw an incredible resiliency and determination to rebuild what was destroyed. A major part of that rebuilding process was equipping Faulkner County with the technology and construction needed to better protect its citizens from similar natural disasters. The completion of this shelter and emergency command center will provide an added element of security in defending the most important resource of these communities: the lives of the people."
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