Week in Review: June 8-12 

The Senate is debating the National Defense Authorization Act, we approved legislation to scale back EPA overreach in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and I talked about issues impacting the agriculture industry on Agri-Pulse. These and more in this Week in Review. 

• Protecting EPA Overreach on Private Property – My colleagues and I on the Senate Environment and Public Works committee (EPW) approved The Federal Water Quality Protection Act to counter the EPA’s  “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule.  Our legislation outlines protections for our waters while protecting private property rights. I look forward to supporting this bill on the Senate floor.
  
  
• Plains & Eastern Clean Lines Transmission Project Comments – The Department of Energy (DOE) agreed to extend the comment period one month for this project after the Arkansas Congressional Delegation urged for an extension of 60 days in a letter to DOE Secretary. I would have preferred 60 days, but this additional time will allow Arkansans more time to comment about the impact of the project. You can register your comments with DOE here.  

• Agri-Pulse Open Mic - This week I joined Agri-Pulse to talk about Arkansas’ top economic industry. In the interview, we discussed the threat developing with the EPA and WOTUS, opening up trade with Cuba, and our work to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act.
  
  
• National Defense Authoritzation Act (NDAA) Debate – During the Senate debate of the NDAA I delivered this floor speech about the importance of passing this national security legislation. I also introduced three amendments to support the needs of Arkansans.
  
  
• Water Research - I am pleased that the Senate supported legislation I introduced with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) that reauthorizes the Water Resources Research Amendments Act. This legislation provides continued federal support for important research on state and regional water challenges.
  
  
• Flag Day – In recognition of honoring this symbol of our country I want to share this flag presentation my staff hosted in Stuttgart. My staff presents a program to Arkansas students about the importance of the American and Arkansas flags. Last school year year my staff was in more than 50 classrooms around the state.