It is an honor and privilege to represent The Natural State. While Washington’s deliberations and debates often generate splashy headlines across the country, my most important responsibility is staying connected with the issues and initiatives important to Arkansans and their communities. I am grateful for the effort constituents make to contact my office, as this direct feedback helps shape my work and inform policy decisions. In this week’s column, I am answering questions I have received recently, including from students, on a number of topics. 

What would you say is the most important thing we can do to help our Arkansas farmers?

Arkansas farmers and farm families feed, fuel and clothe the world and are the backbone to a healthy life and economy. They know first-hand that agriculture is unpredictable by nature, so we take their concerns and ideas seriously. As Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee, I’m honored to help pass policies that support their needs.

Through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress approved measures signed into law by President Trump to deliver a modernized safety net and risk management tools that offer ag producers greater certainty. The president recently announced $12 billion in additional funds through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, offering support before the new policies take effect. I look forward to continuing working with my colleagues to ensure agricultural producers have the resources they need to provide us with the safest, most abundant food supply in the world.

Do you feel that serving in Congress is similar to being part of a team?

Wholeheartedly. While there is less running and fewer line drills compared to my time on the Razorbacks, the uniquely American sport of football has many parallels to my experience in Congress. Football brings a team together through a shared goal, even when individual players have different strengths, skills and ideas on how to best get the ball over the goal line.

Serving in Congress works similarly. While elected officials do not always agree on how to address or solve issues, I believe that we all share the common responsibility and goal to advocate for our constituents and serve the American people.

We can get a great deal accomplished when we work together. While this year has been particularly challenging at times, I am hopeful the spirit of bipartisanship prevails on a number of issues we will address in 2026.

Why are you on so many committees? Is it required for Senators? If so, why?

The Senate addresses an enormous scope of policy, from where and how to allocate funds, create policy across different areas and conduct oversight. Because there are many legislative areas of importance, senators serve on multiple committees to ensure that all priorities can be addressed. It also helps to have lawmakers from different backgrounds, states and areas of expertise working together on solutions. 

In addition to chairing the full Agriculture Committee, I also serve on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Rules Committees. Each has meaningful implications for Arkansas and the country, and I am proud to represent the people of our state in these efforts.

Your father was a Master Sergeant in the Air Force. How has this impacted your congressional motives?

My dad was a World War II veteran who served for more than 20 years. Growing up in a military family has had a lasting impact on my priorities in Congress. My mom would never let me forget the responsibility to keep our promise to those who served in uniform. One of the first questions she would always ask me was, “What have you done for veterans lately?” That mentality guides my efforts, especially as a leader of the panel that funds the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects to support our servicemembers, bolster mission readiness and improve access to and the quality of benefits earned by the 257,000 veterans who call Arkansas home.