Dear Friends,
Arkansans deserve reliable mail delivery — especially now during COVID-19.
That's why I took your message to the postmaster general that receiving mail within an advertised time frame is essential for Arkansas families who rely on medication sent through the mail and for small businesses whose customers expect packages by a specific date.
In March I did not support the Paycheck Fairness Act because, despite its name, the Paycheck Fairness Act had nothing to do with fairness. Instead, it would restrict employers from offering flexibility or incentives for extra effort, resulting in less productive work environments. And yesterday I did not support the Delivering for America Act, because the reality is that in the bipartisan CARES Act, Congress gave the Postal Service the ability to borrow $10 billion from the U.S. Treasury which has not been utilized along with the $14 billion cash they have until August 2021. In addition, this past Friday the postmaster testified before Congress, assuring that he had ample financial resources and would treat absentee ballots as first class mail and that he was fully committed to halting any of the long-standing structural changes being made to the post office until after the election.
Watch my video further explaining by clicking HERE or on the image below.
Additionally, on Thursday, I spoke with Kevin Miller on 102.9 KARN about the postmaster, the importance of receiving your mail on time, and my letter to the Postmaster General.
To listen to our conversation, click HERE or on the image below.
|
| Your ideas make a difference |
Keeping the LRAFB's Classified Certification |
During my time in Congress, I have listened closely to Arkansans as they have shared their good ideas with me. I recently started a video series called “Your Ideas” where I highlight just some of the ideas that started right here in Arkansas and were put into action in Congress.
In 2015, personnel at the Little Rock Air Force Base informed me that the U.S. Air Force was electing to close the intelligence unit at the base and move it and the personnel to Fort Smith where the unit would be engaged in an unmanned aerial command center. This would leave a 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art, Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF), worth more than $10 million, empty at Little Rock Air Force Base, and at risk of losing its classified certification.
The former Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard, General Mark Berry, and our delegation invited Air Force Sec. Deborah Lee James to visit Little Rock Air Force Base. We worked to convince Secretary James that this was an outstanding opportunity for a new mission at Little Rock Air Force Base, a mission that could take advantage of our outstanding information technology and cyber expertise in central Arkansas and our academic leadership at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas. Thanks to our efforts, she agreed, and the Little Rock Air Force Base has kept its SCIF active and is now home to the 223rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron.
To watch, click HERE or on the image below.
It takes only one person to make a difference. If you have an idea, contact me.
| Delivering Health Care for you |
Connecting HHS Deputy Secretary with Arkansas Health Care Providers |
I appreciate U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan visiting Arkansas and Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce President Randy Zook for hosting a roundtable to connect federal officials with key hospital and healthcare providers around our state on Thursday.
Listening to the concerns of our healthcare professionals regarding PPE, medical technology, and demand for testing, the need for diagnostic testing, and the increase in demand for telemedicine during this time helps the federal government to effectively address these challenges and find solutions that will work on the ground.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this informative discussion, including the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary Kenneth Callahan; Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary Christopher Kotwicki; the President/CEO of CARTI, Adam Head; the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Chancellor, Cam Patterson; the President/CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Curtis Barnet; the EVP/CFO, of Arkansas Children's, Gena Wingfield; the President/CEO of the Washington Regional, Larry Shackleford; the CEO of Saline Memorial Hospital, Michael Stewart; the President/CEO of Baptist Health, Troy Wells; and the Deputy General Counsel of ARcare, Will Moore.
From left to right: Randy Zook (AR State Chamber), Adam Head (CEO CARTI), Troy Wells (CEO Baptist Health system), Will Moore (Deputy General Counsel of AR Care), Dep. Sec. Hargan, JFH, Larry Shackleford (CEO Washington Regional), Curtis Barnett (CEO AR Blue Cross Blue Shield), and Brad Parsons (CEO - NEA Baptist) |
Congressman Hill (right) speaks to HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan (left). |
|
ENSURING YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE USED CORRECTLY
|
Conducting Oversight of CARES Act Funding |
One of my top priorities as your representative in Congress is to ensure that your hard-earned tax dollars are being spent the way that they are intended. That is why as the House Republican Representative on the Congressional Oversight Commission, I am committed to ensuring that the CARES Act funds are being utilized to help families and businesses become financially stable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commission released its fourth report Friday on how the Federal Reserve and the Department of the Treasury have allocated the CARES Act funding given to them by Congress. This report was based on the hearing held on August 7th, in which I served as the Acting Chair of the Commission, which examined the Federal Reserve's Main Street Lending Program.
To watch the full hearing, click HERE or on the image below.
| combating homelessness during the pandemic |
Federal Funds for the City of Little Rock to Help the Unsheltered |
I am pleased that the City of Little Rock has been awarded two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants to help fight homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combined, these grants total almost $775,000 that will be used to help those in need who are, or may become, homeless.
Helping those who are most vulnerable to medical conditions is especially vital as we continue to combat this virus.
These funds will be used by Little Rock to help homeless people be quickly moved to permanent housing, prevent families and individuals from moving into an emergency shelter by providing financial assistance, and by reaching out to homeless individuals to provide emergency shelter or critical health services.
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
|
