I always enjoy this time of year and the opportunity to see family and friends. These moments together are treasured and a valuable way to reflect on the year gone by. It is no understatement to say 2025 in Washington, D.C. was tumultuous, with new policies and dramatic change. But I am glad to say some of my most important work as a U.S. Senator carried on faithfully — especially my priority of serving Arkansans. 

Over the last 12 months, my staff and I have responded to over 145,000 calls, letters and emails from Arkansans reaching out to make their voices heard regarding issues and causes they care about or that impact their communities. I am grateful for the time and care taken to provide this feedback, especially when I am weighing issues actively in front of the U.S. Senate.

In addition to the comments about policy issues, there were many requests for help navigating the bureaucracy of the federal government. Overall in 2025, my office assisted with more than 2,900 cases involving everything from securing emergency passports to problems accessing veterans’ benefits, and all the extraordinary circumstances in between that require extra care and attention which immense, distant departments and agencies struggle to handle.

Once again this year, a leading source of outreach came from veterans and their families. For example, we worked with 652 Arkansans to obtain military service and medical records as well as long-deserved military medals. One of our most common requests involved helping grieving families track down military discharge paperwork as they made arrangements for a veteran’s funeral. 

Another top area of support we provided them and their loved ones was assistance procuring benefits letters from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We are happy to aid veterans who need such letters. This year we helped 324 people with this, but I am also helping to push for a modernized VA process that would reduce the need for this particular service. I have continued to encourage the VA to make it easier for people to acquire copies of their critical documents through online portals and other resources, and I am optimistic that they are making these strides.

This change within the VA was part of a much larger trend we saw across the federal government. With greater use of technology and digital infrastructure, there have been enormous transitions as federal agencies simplify processes and offer more services online rather than requiring in-office appointments. Although it is encouraging to see easier access to basic services, it is also something I am watching closely to make sure all Arkansans can access the services and support they need.

There are also instances where a website portal can’t solve a problem. That happened a few weeks ago when we helped a Hot Springs family with a dire Social Security issue, and I was reminded of the importance of this work in a note they sent me:

“I am only telling you all of this so that when you are faced with those rough days, the ones where every person comes at you with disgruntled complaints, you are reminded that the work you do makes a tangible impact in our lives, in the most real of ways. I would not have made it this far without your help.”

That is what our efforts are all about, or as one of my former mentors liked to put it: using the power of the office for good. Politics and ideologies have and always will take a backseat to that calling.

I am humbled by these occasions to make a difference and, as we wrap up 2025, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Arkansas.