Friends,
It's National Small Business Week, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurs and risk takers, the dreamers and doers who drive our economy forward.
Every time you walk into a locally owned restaurant in Benton, stop by a hardware store in Conway, or hire a contractor who grew up down the road, you are supporting one of the nearly 300,000 small businesses that make up 99.3 percent of all businesses in our state and employ over half a million Arkansans.
They deserve a federal government that works with them, not against them.
That is exactly what this Congress and the Trump administration have been fighting to deliver. Last year's Working Families Tax Cuts, the largest permanent tax cut for working families and job creators in a generation, made permanent the 20 percent small business income deduction, restored 100 percent bonus depreciation on equipment purchases, and eliminated the requirement to spread R&D costs across five years. |
Those are real dollars that stay on Main Street instead of going to Washington. On the regulatory side, the Trump administration's Deregulation Strike Force has already cut more than $110 billion in burdensome costs for small businesses in just one year, and the suspension of the Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements saved owners tens of billions more in unnecessary paperwork.
The results are showing up here at home. Arkansas gained nearly 12,000 new small businesses over the last year.
We have more work ahead, but we are making progress. As I have throughout my time in the House, I am committed to fighting for our entrepreneurs, family businesses, and local job creators. That is how we grow paychecks, strengthen communities, and build an economy that works for every central Arkansan.
So this weekend, in particular, don't forget to shop local.
If you are a small business or entrepreneur and need help with the Small Business Administration, the IRS, or any other federal agency, please contact my office at (501) 324-5941 or click HERE. |
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In celebration of National Small Business Week, Rep. Hill visited several small businesses around central Arkansas, including Two Sisters Catering and Café in Sherwood, AR. You can see more about his visit by clicking HERE. |
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Rep. Hill was recently honored with the Gerald Solomon Big "I" Legislator of the Year Award for 2025, recognizing his work on behalf of independent insurance agents and the small businesses they serve. "Rep. Hill is a voice for Main Street America and working Americans in Congress," said Nathan Riedel, Big "I" Senior Vice President for Federal Government Affairs. |
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Team Hill welcomed Dennis Coyle and his family to Washington this week for a personal visit to the office. Coyle was wrongfully detained by the Taliban for 422 days while conducting research in Afghanistan before his release in March 2026. Rep. Hill advocated for his release, and it was great to welcome him and his family to Capitol Hill. |
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Team Hill met with constituent Sheila Graybeal from Little Rock and members of the National Brain Tumor Society, including Kymberlee Baker and the Duba family. The group shared personal stories of loved ones lost to brain tumors and the work they do to support research and advocacy nationwide. Rep. Hill looks forward to continuing to champion tumor and cancer research for Arkansans and all Americans. |
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The Arkansas National Guard honored all Gold Star families, especially the Kordsmeier and Smith families, who were in attendance this past Sunday at the Memorial Day remembrance ceremony. The Guard holds this tribute during the May drill weekend so all soldiers can be present to pay their respects. We are proud to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and grateful to stand alongside the families who carry their legacy forward. Rep. Hill is also proud to cosponsor the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act to ensure Gold Star families receive the recognition, support, and respect they deserve. |
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This past weekend marked an important transition for the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as command was passed to Col. Tommy Edwards during the Change of Command ceremony. Rep. Hill is grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of the outgoing commander, Col. Matt Bialy, and wishes both commanders success in their next missions. |
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This past Sunday, members of Rep. Hill’s veterans team attended the groundbreaking for the F-35 Multi-Country Academic Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith. The new facility will position Ebbing as a premier destination for training allied nation pilots on the F-35 Lightning II, cementing Arkansas's role in the next generation of military readiness. Thank you to Col. David "Zeke" Skalicky, the 33rd Fighter Wing, and the Little Rock District, US Army Corps of Engineers, for hosting this historic event. |
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This week, 272 years ago, Benjamin Franklin published one of the most recognizable images in American history. His "Join, or Die" cartoon, depicting a snake cut into segments representing the colonies, appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette as a call for colonial unity. Franklin's iconic cartoon predated the Revolutionary War by more than two decades, but when tensions with Britain finally reached a breaking point, colonists revived it as a rallying symbol, cementing it as one of the most powerful and enduring images in American history. |
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What conflict originally inspired Benjamin Franklin to publish "Join, or Die"?
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Last week’s Trivia: King George III, the monarch who lost the American colonies, was known by what nickname? D) The Farmer King
King George III, the monarch who lost the American colonies, was known as "The Farmer King" for his genuine love of agriculture and rural life. He even wrote articles about farming under the pen name "Ralph Robinson." Of course, to others, he is also known as the "Mad King."
37.6% of respondents answered correctly. (31.5% answered "The Iron King") |
As many of you may have noticed, I am really enjoying celebrating America's 250th birthday. From the inspiring stories from our founding era and American history trivia that we include in the weekly newsletter to the posts across my social media channels and A250 events in Arkansas and our Nation’s Capital, America's semiquicentennial gives me the chance to share my love of our history and our nation. It is also an opportunity for me to hear from the next generation about what America means to them.
That is why I am excited to announce the America250 Essay Contest, open to students in grades 6 through 12 across central Arkansas.
There are three divisions: - 6th and 7th grade: Up to 500 words
- 8th and 9th grade: Up to 750 words
- 10th through 12th grade: Up to 1,000 words
Here are the essay prompts:
6th and 7th grade: Who is your favorite Founder (man or woman) and why do you admire them?
8th through 12th grade:
After traveling throughout America in 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville observed that America was exceptional and unique in history: a nation founded not on ethnicity or a shared ancestry, but on the ideals of liberty, self-governance, and equality under God. How have these ideals contributed to America's greatness?
The deadline to submit is May 24, 2026 at 5 PM CT.
All submissions must be made through the submission forms below: 6th-7th grade 8th-9th grade 10th-12th grade
For additional information, including prize information, click HERE.
Spread the word to a student, teacher, or parent you know. The next great American voice might be right here in Arkansas. |
Kids born between January 2025 and December 2028 are eligible for a federal contribution into a “Trump Account.” More than 4 million Americans have already opened accounts, which will begin receiving funding starting the Fourth of July this year, so don’t delay.
This is also an opportunity for philanthropists to invest directly in the next generation, with leaders like Michael and Susan Dell and Ray and Barbara Dalio already stepping up to help fund these accounts. Through Treasury’s “50 State Challenge,” more private-sector leaders are being encouraged to get involved and support children and families across the country.
Families can sign their kids up for a Trump Account using the IRS Form 4547 as they file their taxes. To learn more, click HERE or call my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941. |
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 on visiting 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. |
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
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