Dr. Boozman's Check-up

The Associated Press reports that  agriculture “stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries” in a Cuba trade policy announced by the administration earlier this week. Arkansas’s agriculture industry groups say this opens the doors for increased trade. I intend to work with my Senate colleagues to build on these policy changes to create new opportunities for Arkansas agriculture producers. Learn more about the impact to the agriculture industry in these Arkansas news stories.

Democrat Gazette
In state, growers see trade potential
Talk Business
Ag Community Upbeat On Cuba Normalization, Political Opinions Vary
Arkansas News Bureau
Arkansas may benefit from Obama’s Cuba policy
KATV
Updated Cuba policy could spell out big money for Ark. rice growers
Arkansas Business
Delta Caucus Happy with Cuba Move
KARK
Arkansas Rice Industry Expects Big Boom
U.S. Senate Republicans announced their committee assignments for the 114th Congress. I'm excited to once again be serving on the Agriculture Committee; Appropriations Committee; Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW); and Veterans Affairs Committee. I will also sit on the Rules Committee for this coming session of Congress. I am eager to begin working toward a more efficient and effective government when we take control of the Senate in January. 

I was honored to recognize the military service of Arkansas Veterans during recent medal presentations in Manila and Harrison. 

Jerry McCain of Manila was awarded medals for his service in the Army during the Vietnam War – one of which was the Purple Heart Medal.

Jack Massengale of Harrison, was awarded the Purple Heart Medal along with other medals at a ceremony held at the Boone County Courthouse. Massengale served in the Army during the Vietnam War. 

Military and Veterans Liaison, Lt. Col. Steve Gray (ret.), works with the Department of Defense to get medals for Veterans who earned them but never received them. Steve presents these medals to veterans or posthumously to their family members at ceremonies across the state. 

Read the story printed in the Town Crier about McCain’s presentation and about Massengale’s award ceremony in the Harrison Daily Times

I joined host David Goins yesterday to discuss the President's immigration executive order, lame duck session of Congress and what to expect from a Republican-led Senate in the coming year on KARK's "Capitol View" program.

Part 1:

Part 2: 

If you visited the President’s website, you might think that Washington’s spending problem is under control.

Lines that suggest President Obama has “led the way on structuring the government to live within its means” and “the Administration has moved to eliminate wasteful spending, streamline what works, and modernize how government operates to save money and improve performance” would give you the impression that everything is rosy and going according to plan.

So, how then, does the White House reconcile that rhetoric with the fact that our national debt has now passed the $18 trillion mark? It appears by ignoring this alarming trend all together, and not commenting on it despite once saying it was “unpatriotic” to add $4 trillion to the debt.

Come January, Republicans will control both chambers of Congress, allowing us to put our commitment to cut Washington’s wasteful spending into action. I believe we can find a mechanism, like a Balanced Budget Amendment, that will stop the government from spending beyond its means. If Arkansas can be required to balance our state’s budget, there is no reason that we shouldn’t be able to require Washington to do the same.

The national debt is a threat to our sovereignty. Foreign holdings account for almost half of these obligations, and much of that is owed to countries that do not always share our values—such as China and Saudi Arabia. We must end the excessive spending and put our nation back on a fiscally responsible path. The road we are on right now certainly isn’t fair to future generations. We can’t keep kicking the can down the road. In fact, it has been kicked so far down the road it is out of view.

In this edition of "From the Mailbag", Senator Boozman answers a question on free trade with foreign nations submitted by Peyton, a student in Ms. Tina Geske’s World History Class at Washington Junior High in Bentonville.

As we prepare our grocery lists for Thanksgiving we are reminded of the things for which we are thankful. This year I am grateful for a Razorback SEC football win, my health and my family. However, there are many children who don’t have the opportunity to be thankful for a family. These are our nation’s children in foster care. 

In Arkansas there are more than 3,000 children in our foster care system. Many of these children and youth are waiting for adoption and dreaming to be part of a loving family. 

To raise awareness, I cosponsored the Senate- passed resolution recognizing November as National Adoption Month and Saturday, November 22nd as National Adoption Day.  This campaign strives to share the many positive adoption stories, clear up the misconceptions of adoption and to bring attention to the children who are awaiting permanent families. I am proud to support the bipartisan resolution in hopes of encouraging families in Arkansas, and across the country, to open their hearts and homes and give the blessing of a bright future. 

Arkansas has excellent adoption advocacy groups and forever families. Due to their dedication to children, over the past several years these crusaders have been distinguished for their efforts by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, which coordinates the Angels in Adoption program. We are blessed to have so many Arkansans willing to share their love and their homes. 

Every child deserves the love and support of a family. We must work diligently to make that a reality. Families across Arkansas are committed to sharing their love with children who need parents. As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I’m committed to creating an environment that encourages adoption and ensure that parents receive guidance, support, and an efficient and secure adoption process.  

 

 

In this edition of 'From the Mailbag' Senator Boozman answers a question from Anthony in Bella Vista who asks about the President's immigration executive order that media reports indicate could happen this week.

By now you have likely seen the video clips of Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber admitting, among other things, that the authors took advantage of voters' “stupidity” to pass the law.

It might be the most revealing remark on the Obamacare authors’ mindsets since “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it” and “if you like your plan and your doctor, you can keep them.”

And just like these two claims, it shows the attitude of Obamacare authors and the level they would go to pass the law and sell it to the American people.

Arkansans were well aware of the deceptive tactics used to ram Obamacare through Congress. It is why I fought against its initial passage and have supported efforts to undo it, defund it, and repeal it.

With a price tag in the trillions, the law creates more problems than it solves. It drives up health care costs, busts our budget, bankrupts Medicare and deflates our economy. It forces people off plans they like and into coverage that does not fit their needs. On top of that, it doesn’t create economic stability for Arkansans, it raises their taxes.

The American people are also well aware that more Obamacare problems are on the horizon. Dr. Marc Siegel, a practicing internist and FOX News Channel contributor, does a good job detailing what we can expect if Obamacare is left in place. It is further evidence that this law needs to be replaced.