Preventing the erosion of our Second Amendment rights, protecting religious freedom worldwide and prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit. Read about these and more in this “Week in Review.” 

• ATF Withdraws Ammo Ban Proposal: One day after more than 50 of my Senate colleagues and I sent a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) director, condemning a proposal limiting access to rifle ammunition, the agency withdrew its plan. 

• Protecting Religious Freedom: Rabbi David Saperstein, the State Department’s Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, testified before the Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee. I shared my concerns about the Administration’s refusal to blame the Islamic State group’s brand of radical Islam for its persecution of Christians and Jews. 

• Increasing Access to Mental Health Care for Servicemembers and Veterans: Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and I introduced the Frontline Mental Health Provider Training Act. This legislation would help address mental health provider shortages and increase access to care for our servicemembers and veterans. 

• Preventing Eligibility for Illegal Immigrants to Collect Earned Income Tax Credit: I helped introduced legislation denying the Earned Income Tax Credit to those made newly eligible for past benefits under the President’s executive actions on immigration. This bill closes a loophole that allows illegal immigrants to take advantage of the system and claim a refund financed by hardworking Americans. 

• English as the Official Language: We are a nation of immigrants but our national identity and culture is firmly grounded in the English language. For that reason, I cosponsored the English Language Unity Act, legislation that would make English the official language of the United States. 

• Arkansas Game and Fish Celebrates 100^th Anniversary: This agency rejuvenated the state’s natural resources for future generations of Arkansans. I honored the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on its centennial anniversary in the Congressional Record, the official proceedings of Congress. 

• Senate Air Force Caucus Leader: I’m proud to join Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Jon Tester (D-MT) to lead the Senate Air Force Caucus in the 114^th Congress. This bipartisan group includes 35 members and focuses on issues impacting the U.S. Air Force. The caucus sponsors briefings, base visits and meetings with Air Force personnel throughout the year. 

• UAPB Grant: The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff received a $1.4 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and strengthen partnerships for higher quality education services to children. Providing young Arkansans with a learning environment to help improve their education is important to ensure success. 

• Hot Springs City Leaders Visit Washington: Leaders of the community were in the nation’s capital for the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference. I had the opportunity to meet with the mayor and other city officials to discuss issues important to the community including the future drinking water supply of Hot Springs and the region. Watch the video.

What I Co-Sponsored This Week 

S.678—The English Language Unity Act
Tags: Immigration Reform

S.686—A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a limitation on certain aliens from claiming the earned income tax credit.
Tags: Tax Policy/Immigration Reform

S.697—Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act
Tags: Government Reform/Infrastructure

S.714—The Frontline Mental Health Provider Training Act
Tags: Veterans/National Security

S.Con.Res.4—A concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act.