Hill, French RSS Articles

RELEASE: HILL VOTES TO STRENGTHEN AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ABROAD

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) voted for H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027, which passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 217-209. The bill strengthens American diplomacy and national security abroad, cuts foreign aid and counters our adversaries while supporting key allies, and supports education programs abroad like the Fulbright Exchange Program.

Rep. Hill said, “House Republicans are bringing sanity back to foreign spending and making sure every dollar we send abroad serves America's national security. Arkansans never asked for their hard-earned tax dollars to be spent pushing 'woke' fads like DEI programs and gender ideology experiments on our strategic partners and allies. I voted for this bill to fund the things that actually advance our best interests, our diplomatic and intelligence operations, security assistance for real allies, and programs that reflect American values like religious freedom, the fight against human trafficking, and the Fulbright Exchange program. We're also cutting off the regimes that work against America and demanding more accountability from those receiving our money. This bill respects taxpayers, advances our actual interests, and delivers the foreign policy Americans have been asking for.”

Background:

H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027, provides a total discretionary allocation of $47.32 billion, which is $2.69 billion, or 6 percent, below the FY26 enacted level. The bill champions a foreign policy agenda that supports our allies, counters our adversaries, and eliminates contributions to organizations that are wasteful and contradictory to American values. It codifies President Trump's executive orders to completely defund DEI programs, climate change mandates, and radical gender ideology programs, and maintains all long-standing pro-life provisions. It also counters the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party by fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund at $400 million, denying the CCP access to U.S.-backed resources, and prohibiting countries from using U.S. aid to repay debts owed to Communist China.

Rep. Hill’s Priorities

Support an interagency strategy to disrupt and dismantle narcotics production and trafficking and affiliated networks in the Middle East.
Hold the Egyptian Government accountable for its poor treatment of Christian communities in Egypt.
Funding for the Fulbright Exchange Program and other international exchange programs.
Ensuring continued delivery of humanitarian aid into and within Syria.
Require the Secretary of State to examine the severe restrictions on religious freedom in countries the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended for the Special Watch List.
Funding for programs to combat trafficking in persons (TIP), including for the Child Protection Compacts and the Program to End Modern Slavery.
Funding for the National Security Investment Programs to help support conflict observatory documentation from entities with experience, especially for documentation of war crimes that occurred under the Assad Regime in Syria and those that are suspected to be occurring in Ukraine under the invasion by Russia.
Funding for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Division.

RELEASE: REP. HILL’S LANDMARK HOUSING BILL BECOMES LAW

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, held a press conference to celebrate his bill, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, becoming law. The bipartisan, bicameral bill is the first major housing legislation in decades. It cuts red tape, increases housing supply, and makes homeownership more attainable for families across Arkansas and the nation. The bill passed the Senate 85-14 and the House 358-32.

Rep Hill said, "When I first ran for Congress, I set out to author and pass legislation that improves the lives of central Arkansans and prove that Washington could still work for the American people. Having this historic housing bill become law today is the realization of those goals, that by working together, debating in good faith, and putting the interests of Americans ahead of politics, good policy can become law.

"This legislation strengthens community banks, modernizes building codes, and cuts red tape. More houses will be built, more families will enter the market, and homes across the country will be more affordable. The bill also delivers on one of the President’s goals by restricting institutional investors from outcompeting American families for homes. After years of work and months of negotiations with the Senate, this bicameral, bipartisan bill is a win for families from Arkansas to every corner of this country, and I am pleased to have successfully collaborated on this priority with the Financial Services Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA)."

Working in partnership with Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC), the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes more than 45 provisions to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers to new home construction and modernize HUD programs, nine community banking bills to expand local lending for housing construction and mortgages, and measures to prevent large institutional investors from unfairly competing with individual homebuyers for homes.

Community banks are the backbone of Arkansas's economy, and the bill provides targeted relief to strengthen their ability to lend in local housing markets. The legislation also modernizes building codes, makes local zoning rules more competitive, and increases congressional oversight of HUD. This gives Arkansas communities greater flexibility to address their own housing needs.

Click here to watch the press conference.
Click here for the text of the bill.
Click here for a one-pager.
Click here for a section-by-section.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: REP. HILL TO HOST UNVEILING OF A BUST HONORING AN ARKANSAS HERO AT THE ARKANSAS STATE CAPITOL

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, AR – On Tuesday at 10:00 AM CT at the Arkansas State Capitol, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) will host the unveiling of the bust of former Lt. Governor and World War II hero Maurice “Footsie” Britt.

Maurice “Footsie” Britt of Carlisle, Arkansas, was the first American soldier in World War II to receive all of the Army's top decorations for valor in a single war, earning the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and four Purple Hearts while fighting across North Africa, Sicily, and Italy with the 3rd Infantry Division. He later served two terms as Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas alongside Governor Winthrop Rockefeller.

WHO: Rep. French Hill, Arkansas State Representative Joey Carr, Deputy Secretary Dr. Paul Lawrence (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), Dr. Charles Robinson (Chancellor, University of Arkansas), members of the Britt family, the U.S. Air Force, Arkansas National Guard, 106th Army Band, and the bust's artist, Kevin Kresse, who also created the statue of Arkansas icon Johnny Cash that resides in the U.S. Capitol.

WHAT: Maurice “Footsie” Britt Bust Unveiling

WHEN: 10:00 AM CT, Tuesday, July 7, 2026

WHERE:

Arkansas State Capitol Rotunda, Second Floor
500 Woodlane StLittle Rock, AR 72201

Press:

Further inquiries can be directed to Rep. Hill’s Communications Director, Travis Evans.

RELEASE: HILL AWARDS LATEST GOLDEN FLEECE TO USDA

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the latest recipient of his Golden Fleece Award for failing to stop the rampant theft of SNAP benefits from vulnerable families.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that states replaced more than $320 million in stolen SNAP benefits between October 2022 and December 2024. Criminals used scams like card skimming, card cloning, and phishing to steal SNAP EBT card information and drain SNAP benefits before families could use them to buy groceries. In Arkansas, more than 1,100 families had their SNAP benefits stolen using card skimmers in 2024, totaling more than $550,000. USDA should stop this fraud before criminals can drain benefits from vulnerable Americans.

Rep. Hill said, "SNAP dollars should go to hungry families, not fraudsters. Every dollar stolen is a dollar taken from someone who needs help buying groceries. I appreciate the Trump Administration's work to go after criminals stealing SNAP benefits, and I urge the USDA to bring that same urgency to stopping electronic theft before it happens, not just chasing it after the fact. Families who rely on SNAP need to know the money will be there, and taxpayers in Arkansas and across America deserve to know their hard-earned tax dollars are being protected."

In his letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Rep. Hill writes:

Dear Secretary Rollins,

I write today to inform you that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration is this month’s recipient of my Golden Fleece Award. I am awarding this to USDA because of its failure to properly protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from electronic theft and fraud.

SNAP is intended to help low-income families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children put food on the table. That mission matters. In Fiscal Year 2025, SNAP was expected to provide approximately $96 billion in benefits to about 43 million people nationwide. In Arkansas alone, about 240,400 people received SNAP benefits each month in Fiscal Year 2025, representing 7.7 percent of the state’s population.

This is how serious the problem is: the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that states replaced more than $320 million in stolen SNAP benefits between October 2022 and December 2024. Criminals used scams like card skimming, card cloning, and phishing to steal SNAP EBT card information and drain SNAP benefits before families could use them to buy groceries.

Arkansas families have been hit by SNAP fraud. According to the Arkansas Department of Human Services, more than 1,100 Arkansas families had their SNAP benefits stolen using card skimmers in 2024, totaling more than $550,000. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has warned that scammers are accessing EBT card funds without the recipient’s knowledge and then immediately spending that money outside Arkansas, leaving vulnerable Arkansans without the funds they need to purchase groceries. In addition, USDA has acknowledged that criminals are using electronic schemes such as skimming, cloning, phishing, and other methods to steal SNAP benefits before recipients can use them. This is especially concerning because these stolen benefits are intended for low-income families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children, not criminals exploiting weaknesses in outdated EBT security systems.

Every dollar stolen from SNAP is a dollar taken from a person who needs help buying groceries. It is also a dollar taken from taxpayers who expect the SNAP program to serve the vulnerable. Protecting SNAP from fraud is how we preserve SNAP for Americans who truly need it. That is exactly why fraud in this program is so unacceptable.

I appreciate that the Trump Administration has made SNAP program integrity a priority and that USDA has already taken steps to target criminals stealing SNAP benefits. USDA has stated that fraud will not be tolerated by the Trump Administration, and USDA’s Special Investigations Unit has worked with federal law enforcement partners to target criminals engaged in stealing SNAP benefits. USDA has also stated that the SNAP Fraud Framework supports state efforts to improve and expand fraud prevention, detection, and investigation. That work is welcome. Now USDA should bring that same urgency to stopping electronic SNAP theft before criminals can drain benefits from vulnerable Americans.

Taxpayers deserve to know that USDA is safeguarding their dollars. Families who depend on SNAP deserve to know their benefits will not be stolen before they can buy groceries. I urge USDA to provide Congress with clear, state-by-state data on SNAP theft, including the number of households affected, the dollar amount stolen, and the steps being taken to protect recipients going forward. Should you require additional authority from Congress to accomplish this task and protect SNAP beneficiaries from electronic theft, I ask that you notify me. I look forward to working with you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

French Hill
Member of Congress

CC: Acting Administrator of the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, Shiela Corley

RELEASE: HILL, VEASEY, WILLIAMS, DELBENE, SCHWEIKERT, AND BEYER RELAUNCH BIPARTISAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAUCUS

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. French Hill (R-AR-02) this week relaunched the bipartisan House Entrepreneurship Caucus alongside Co-Chairs Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX-25), Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ-01), and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA-08).

First established in 2019, the House Entrepreneurship Caucus brings Republicans and Democrats together to address the steady, decades-long decline in new business formation. Too many would-be entrepreneurs never get off the ground, often held back by limited access to capital, regulatory complexity, and a startup environment that has grown increasingly difficult to enter, particularly in communities that have never fully shared in the innovation economy.

The relaunch of the House Entrepreneurship Caucus marks a renewed commitment to change that. Through policy discussions, stakeholder engagement, and targeted legislation, the caucus will work to build an environment where American entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners can thrive.

Rep. Hill said, “The 'startup slump' is a real concern and something I have been working to tackle throughout my time in Congress. Entrepreneurship is the engine that drives our economy forward, and as an entrepreneur myself, I know how difficult it can be to get a business off the ground. It's critical that the policies coming out of Washington encourage innovation and risk-taking. Supporting startups and small business owners is not a partisan issue, and I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as Co-Chair, all of whom have either started or ran a business, to promote strategies and policies that create an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive.”

Rep. Veasey said, “I am proud to join the Congressional Entrepreneurship Caucus and support efforts to strengthen innovation, support small businesses, and empower entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and opportunity across the nation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance initiatives that help current and future entrepreneurs succeed.”

“As a second-generation small business owner, I know firsthand that every successful business starts with someone willing to take a risk,” said Rep. Williams. “As Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, I have spoken with entrepreneurs across the country and seen both the opportunities they create and the challenges they face. Today, I am proud to rejoin the Entrepreneurship Caucus and work alongside my colleagues to support the next generation of innovators. Together, we can ensure the next generation of entrepreneurs has every opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”

Rep. DelBene said, “As a former entrepreneur, I know firsthand the challenges of starting and growing a new business. This bipartisan caucus will help Congress better understand the needs of entrepreneurs and ensure we craft smart, effective policies informed by small business and startup leaders. When innovators bring new ideas, products, and services to our communities, they strengthen our economy. I look forward to leading this bipartisan group and advocating for the entrepreneurs driving growth and innovation across the country.”

“Entrepreneurs in Arizona are critical job creators who help build economic growth,” said Rep. Schweikert. “I am pleased to Co-Chair the Entrepreneurship Caucus again this Congress to work with my colleagues on bipartisan policies that support innovators across the nation. No startup should face impossible barriers while working to improve our communities and drive the local economy. Through this caucus, we will keep pushing for a more competitive tax and regulatory environment that allows entrepreneurs to take risks, create jobs, and build the next generation of American businesses.”

“It is all too easy for policymakers to excessively focus on the concerns of large, established firms and ignore the needs of the small businesses and startups who drive so much of our economic activity and innovation,” said Rep. Beyer. “This caucus will be an important forum for legislators to learn about the unique challenges faced by smaller companies and build support for commonsense, bipartisan solutions.”

RELEASE: HILL AND JACKSON RELAUNCH BIPARTISAN CAUCUS TO CHAMPION CAREER TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman French Hill (R-AR-02) and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01) announce the relaunch of the bipartisan Congressional Skilled Workforce Caucus to champion skilled workforce development and inform Members of Congress on issues facing American workers and employers who depend on a trained, capable workforce. Hill and Jackson will serve as Co-Chairs of the caucus for the 119th Congress.The Skilled Workforce Caucus will serve as a forum for Members to coordinate on federal policy priorities related to skilled workforce training, career and technical education, apprenticeships, and the pipeline of workers needed across healthcare, aviation, technology, and the sectors that build and power our nation.

The need is urgent. The construction industry alone is projected to need 349,000 additional workers in 2026, with roughly 41% of the current construction workforce expected to retire by 2031. The healthcare sector faces a parallel crisis, with more than 189,100 registered nurse job openings projected annually through 2034. Across aviation, technology, and energy, the story is the same as demand continues to outpace the pipeline. If left unaddressed, the skilled labor shortage could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars in lost economic output.

Rep. French Hill said, “For decades, we pushed young people toward four-year degrees, which had the unintended consequence of making trade schools and skilled labor look like a second-rate career path. The fact is, our skilled workers are the backbone of our economy, integral to everything that makes this nation great, from our healthcare and technology industries to the workers who build our homes and maintain our infrastructure. While we continue to applaud those who attend our great colleges and universities, this caucus will make sure Congress pays equal attention to the skilled workers who make modern American life possible. I am proud to work with Congressman Jonathan Jackson to ensure their voices are heard in Washington.”

“Our nation needs a skilled workforce prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century economy,” said Rep. Jonathan Jackson. “I am honored to join Rep. Hill in relaunching the Skilled Workforce Caucus to bring Members of Congress together around a shared commitment to strengthening workforce development and expanding opportunity for working families. By investing in career and technical education, apprenticeships, and workforce training, we can create more pathways to family-sustaining careers, close skills gaps across critical industries, and build an economy where prosperity reaches every community.”

Additional caucus members will be announced in the coming weeks.

RELEASE: HILL AWARDS LATEST GOLDEN FLEECE TO CMS

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

HHS Inspector General reports show MA plans are misusing prior authorization, a practice used to pre-approve expensive care before it is provided, at the expense of seniors. In one study, 18% of denied claims were for services that already met coverage rules or had been previously approved. The yearly cost of insurance paperwork to the U.S. economy totals $31 billion, a portion of which comes from prior authorization filings and appeals for improper denials. CMS could reduce that amount and save taxpayers' money by fixing its prior authorization oversight.

Rep. Hill said, "CMS failing to efficiently or appropriately use prior authorization is unacceptable. Medicare is one of our largest federal health care expenditures and increasingly strains our already difficult fiscal situation. Every dollar matters. So when the HHS IG finds that 18% of denied claims were improper, CMS deserves to be called out. Medicare exists to protect our seniors, and they are the ones who suffer most when the system fails. CMS needs to fix this now. Our seniors are counting on it."

In his letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Rep. Hill writes:

Dear Administrator Oz,

I write today to inform you that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is this month’s recipient of my Golden Fleece Award. I am awarding this to CMS because of its failure to properly oversee Medicare Advantage (MA) plans prior authorization practices.

CMS is responsible for ensuring federal health care programs, including Medicare, operate smoothly. This duty is made even more important as seniors are increasingly choosing to enroll in privately managed MA plans. These plans can improve care coordination, reduce costs, and maintain or improve care.

MA plans often use prior authorization, the practice of pre-approving certain complicated or expensive care before services are provided, to contain costs and cut down on fraud and abuse. However, I am concerned that some MA plans are misusing prior authorization in a way that harms Medicare and our seniors.

Specifically, I am concerned about reports from the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General (HHS OIG) showing that MA plans are failing to efficiently or appropriately use prior authorization. In one study, the HHS OIG found that 18% of denied claims were for services that met MA plan coverage rules or had already been approved through prior authorization. The report also identified multiple instances where MA plans claimed that records were lost, not properly linked, or software failed. I hope you agree with me that basic record-keeping failures should not be common, and that CMS has a duty to ensure plans prevent these kinds of issues.

Prior authorization failures can delay care for seniors and create unnecessary burdens for health care providers. This should not be tolerated when taxpayer dollars are funding the MA plans responsible. Estimates suggest that prior authorization abuse or errors consume physician time, lead to adverse outcomes, and can even reduce productivity due to missed work.

More importantly, the impact on patients is severe. According to studies, prior authorization can lead to worse health outcomes for children and adults, including for behavioral care like opioid use disorder and even cancer treatments. In addition, delays, including time spent appealing denials, lead to worse health outcomes now and more expensive care later.

The economic cost of prior authorization is also striking. Research suggests that the yearly cost of insurance paperwork to physicians is $68,274, with a total cost to the U.S. economy of $31 billion. It is important to note that most of those costs fall on small, independent practices. Further, some portion of that $31 billion is spent on filing prior authorizations and appeals for improper denials. That money could be spent on better, or more care, but instead is essentially wasted. This kind of failure, which demonstrably harms patients Medicare is designed to protect, can be avoided.

CMS must address the problem of inefficient or harmful prior authorization practices in Medicare. Should you require additional authority from Congress to conduct oversight of MA plans, I ask that you notify me. I look forward to working with you in the near future.

Sincerely,

French Hill
Member of Congress

CC: Inspector General March Bell, Department of Health and Human Services.

RELEASE: HILL PUSHES TO PRESERVE LITTLE ROCK LANDMARK

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) yesterday introduced H.R. 9148, the Scipio Jones House Assessment Act. If passed, this bill would require the Department of the Interior (DOI) to do a special resource study of the Scipio Jones House with a report to Congress three years after enactment. The study would lay the groundwork for preserving the house and potentially bringing it into the National Park System.

Rep. Hill said, “Scipio Jones is one of the most important figures in American civil rights history, and a proud Arkansas native. He saved 12 men from death row, took their case all the way to the Supreme Court, won, and changed constitutional law for every American who has ever stood accused. While I’m grateful to the City of Little Rock for helping to save this landmark, I’m concerned that the Scipio Jones property continues to be vacant and to deteriorate, and I’m proud to lead the effort to restore it in a way that honors this great Arkansan's legacy.”

Background

Specifically, this bill would evaluate:

The national significance of the study area,
The suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Historic Landmark and affiliated area of the National Park System.
The feasibility of making the home an extension of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.
Alternatives for preservation and protection of the study area
Cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives.

In 2020, Rep. Hill's bill to permit a portrait of Scipio Jones to be displayed at the Little Rock post office that bears his name was signed into law. The portrait, painted by Arkansas artist Wade Hampton, was unveiled at the post office in February 2022.

About Scipio Jones:

Scipio Africanus Jones, who was born to an enslaved person in 1863, attended Walden Seminary (now Philander Smith University) and then attended Bethel Institute (now Shorter College), earning his bachelor’s degree in 1885. In 1889, Jones passed the bar and was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Arkansas in 1900 and by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1905.

After the horrific massacre of Black Americans in Elaine, Arkansas, in 1919, Scipio Jones defended 12 wrongly accused Black men who had been charged with murder and condemned by all-white juries.

Despite the Elaine Massacre being described as a "race riot," most of the victims were Black and most of the aggressors were white. With his clients already facing execution, Jones fought their convictions in both state and federal courts. An appeal was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that the accused had been denied due process of law. After reviewing the case, the Supreme Court agreed and overturned the convictions. Moore v. Dempsey changed the nature of the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause. The landmark ruling allows federal courts to hear and examine evidence in state criminal cases to ensure that the defendants’ constitutional due process rights are protected.

RELEASE: REP. HILL VOTES TO SUPPORT VETERANS AND THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD

Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after voting for H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, which passed the House by a vote of 400-15. The bipartisan bill fully funds veterans' health care and benefits while securing critical investments that can be used for the Arkansas National Guard.

Rep. Hill said, "Our veterans and service members have earned every benefit they were promised, and it is Congress's job to make sure they receive it. This bill fully funds veterans' health care, protects veterans' mental health programs, and keeps faith with those who have sacrificed so much for our country. I am also proud that this bill gives the Arkansas National Guard a path to compete for critical infrastructure funding, including a new hangar and medical building our Guard members need. Taking care of the men and women in uniform and the families who stand beside them will always be one of my top priorities."

Background

H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, provides $469.49 billion in total funding, including $157 billion in discretionary spending and $329.9 billion in mandatory spending, approximately 3 percent above FY26 enacted levels.

Several of Rep. Hill's priorities were included in the bill:

A pathway for the Arkansas National Guard to compete for funding for a new hangar and medical building
Supporting efforts to address the unique challenges facing female veterans
Funding for the VA Office of Enterprise Integration
Support for the VA data governance and analytics efforts, which strengthen the VA’s delivery of services and benefits
Funding for VA medical services

Other key wins in the bill include:

Fully funds veterans' health care at $138.2 billion, equal to the FY27 Budget Request
Fully funds veterans' benefits, including $54.6 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund to address toxic exposure-related needs, building off of the PACT Act
Maintains mental health and suicide prevention programs relied upon by veterans
Protects Second Amendment rights for veterans by prohibiting the VA from sharing veterans' information with the FBI without a judge's consent
Prohibits the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from China
Provides $19.2 billion for Department of Defense military construction and family housing

RELEASE: REP. HILL CALLS OUT GSA FOR WASTING MILLIONS ON UNUSED FEDERAL PROPERTY

Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last month, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) announced the General Services Administration (GSA) as the latest recipient of his Golden Fleece Award. GSA is receiving this award for its failure to efficiently dispose of unneeded federal property. Under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, GSA has the authority to dispose of surplus federal holdings, yet it has largely failed to do so in a timely manner, wasting millions of dollars to maintain unused buildings across the country.

Rep. Hill said, “I have been trying to have the USFS convey a property to Perry County, Arkansas for years. The long-vacant building would be a big valuable asset for the community, including as a meeting space for 4-H and put to good use for youth programs, agricultural education, and local conservation efforts. This has been an incredibly long, difficult, and frustrating process and one that is completely unnecessary and should not require an Act of Congress. The government not only loses the trust of the local populace when they refuse to sell or convey unused federal properties, they waste millions in taxpayers’ dollars."

In his letter to GSA Administrator, Mr. Ed Frost, Rep. Hill writes:

Dear Administrator Frost,

I am writing to inform you that the General Services Administration (GSA) is the most recent recipient of my Golden Fleece Award. I am awarding the GSA for its failure to efficiently dispose of surplus federal real property, particularly its inability to convey or sell assets that no longer support the needs and missions of the federal agencies. While I know GSA has recently focused on accelerating unloading unneeded property, which I support, it does not change the fact that the cost to maintain these unused federal buildings costs the American public billions each year and has for years.

Under the Property Act, federal agencies may dispose of property that is no longer needed by a federal agency. Through this process, excess property is first reported as being surplus real property before being offered to other federal agencies for use. Should no federal agency need the surplus property, state and other local governments can obtain the property through a public benefits conveyance, also known as a PBC, through right of first refusal. Under current statute, GSA and the Department of Defense (DoD) are responsible for real property disposal, though, which agency is in control depends on if the property is a former Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) property or non-BRAC property.

Most of the recent attempts to dispose of unneeded property at the federal level involve selling property, however, for some counties, properties are best conveyed under the PBC process often due to lack of appropriate funds for another local or state entity to purchase them. The PBC process is overly complex and underused, leaving unneeded federal property sitting vacant and costing taxpayers’ money.

I have run into this issue within my district. For years, Perry County, Arkansas, has been trying to acquire a U.S. Forest Service building, along with 0.81 acres of Forest Service land it located on. Perry County is a rural area with a population of approximately 10,000 people. Because of the county’s small size, it lacks the necessary funds to purchase the property at market value, as would be directed by law. However, the building has been vacant for some time within Perry County and would serve the county as the Perry County Conservation District, a meeting space for the 4-H Youth Development Program. Additionally, it is where the University of Arkansas Extension Program can provide permanent operations for Perry County.

Though the USFS property in Perry County is eligible for a public benefit conveyance, it has been quicker for me to introduce and work on passing a bill conveying this building to Perry County legislatively than it would have been for the property to be conveyed through the PBC process. This outcome is unacceptable. Local communities like Perry County should not have to wait years to access property that is eligible for transfer and taxpayers should not foot the bill to maintain unused federal assets. Had the PBC process functioned more efficiently, Perry County could already be using the facility to better the county and serve its youth. It should not require an act of Congress to transfer unneeded property or to reduce unnecessary federal spending.

As I have begun the process of legislatively conveying the building in Perry County to the local government, I have also come across some startling and unfortunate information regarding the disposal of real property through GSA. For example, there is no consistent identifiable data on public benefit conveyances (PBC).

Many sponsoring agencies have inconsistent data reporting on the number, types, and locations of properties conveyed, as well as with properties currently being monitored by GSA for potential PBC conveyance. This data is important for a variety of reasons. Not only is it important to ensure that property no longer needed by the federal government is disposed of, but it is also important to ensure that conveyances that have taken place are being used as agreed by grantees, an important element of managing and maintaining the program in the interest of the American people.

I am committed to ensuring effective fiscal practices at our nation’s federal agencies. Should you require any additional authority from Congress to address these concerns, I urge you to notify me as soon as possible. I would also welcome any technical assistance you could provide to Congress to correct statutory issues that may have contributed to this problem. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to working with you to address this important issue.