Dr. Boozman's Check-up
It can be hard to keep up with the rapidly shifting news regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as cases continue to grow in Arkansas, the United States and around the globe. In an effort to keep constituents informed, I have put together a detailed clearinghouse that is regularly updated. Please visit https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=coronavirus to access it.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources
Mar 05 2020
Congress Stands with People of Hong Kong
Nov 22 2019
Less than 25 years ago, Hong Kong was still a British colony. It was handed back to China under a policy known as “one country, two systems”—which suggests that while there is only one China, Hong Kong would retain its own economic and administrative systems. The arrangement allows for Hong Kong to function as a separate entity while the rest of mainland China is governed by the communist system administered by Beijing.
As a result, the citizens of Hong Kong enjoy many liberties denied to those of mainland China. For instance, citizens of Hong Kong have the right to assemble, the right to unfettered access to the internet and freedom of speech.
Those rights appear to be slipping away.
Senator Boozman's Prepared Remarks Honoring the 200th Anniversary of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Nov 21 2019
Newspapers have played a vital role in our country’s history of public discourse, increasing our knowledge and awareness about what takes place around us.
The stories they print keep us informed, while building a sense of community and regional identity.
Newspapers drive political debates and set the agenda, helping us make sense of the issues impacting our world.
As one of the oldest continuously published newspapers west of the Mississippi, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has been a resource of information that keeps readers connected to community, the state and our nation for 200 years.
In-State Work Period Recap
Sep 09 2019
As the Senate returns to session today, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the highlights from the in-state work period. It was great to be able to spend a long, uninterrupted period on the road in the Natural State, visiting with Arkansans and learning what we need to be focusing on in Washington to improve their lives back home.
- 2019 Ag Tour: Every year during the in-state work period, I spend a week visiting with farmers, ranchers and industry stakeholders at their family farms and production facilities to hear how Washington can improve our agriculture producers’s ability to succeed at feed and clothe the world. My 2019 Ag Tour highlighted innovative methods developed by Arkansas agri-businesses to improve operations. There were plenty of groundbreaking practices to shine a light on, such as Vet Veggies in Springdale, where owner Jerry Martin is seeking to refine techniques of hydroponic farming in a manner that can spread nationwide.
- Veterans Tour: In a similar vein as my ag tour, I spent a week focused on how Washington can better serve Arkansas’s veterans. The week-long tour focused on meeting with veterans to learn more about their needs in communities across the state; examining Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities serving Arkansans; and listening to voices advocating with and for former service members across our state.
- Advocating to Increase the Number of Doctors in Arkansas: Like the rest of the nation, Arkansas is experiencing a physician shortage in our hospitals and medical facilities across the state. To address this crisis, I joined with U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce a bill to lift the caps on Medicare-funded residency slots. I discussed this solution during a summit on graduate medical education at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education.
- Promoting Economic Growth in the Natural State: I was on the road in Arkansas throughout the in-state work period meeting with community leaders and small business owners to discuss legislative efforts to encourage economic growth, increase employment and create a business-friendly environment.
- AETN’s Arkansas Week: I stopped by the AETN studio in Conway to discuss trade issues with Steve Barnes for the August 16 edition of Arkansas Week. You can watch our full conversation here.
- KASU’s Morning Edition: While in Jonesboro, I visited KASU’s studio to chat with Johnathan Reaves during Morning Edition. We discussed veterans’ issues, agriculture, trade and opioids. The entire interview is archived here.
- Talking Summer Meals with Fox16 News: During summer, many kids don’t have access to the free or reduced lunches they receive throughout the school year. One of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s top priorities is the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and I am working to include legislation I authored to address this issue into the larger reauthorization. Watch as Kathy Webb, Executive Director of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, and I discuss how this bill would make a difference on the August 29 edition of the Fox16 morning show.
Empowering Women in the Global Economy
Aug 31 2018
ICYMI: Tele-Town Hall
Aug 01 2018
Thank you to the Arkansans who participated in my most recent telephone town hall that we conducted on Monday, July 30. I appreciated hearing the concerns and answering questions about a wide range of issues important to them including veterans benefits. If you missed the event you can listen to the conversation here.
Join our next tele-town hall by signing up here.