WEEKLY WRAP-UP: MAY 19, 2014- MAY 23, 2014
May 23, 2014
Cotton Blog
House Financial Service Committee
This week, the House Financial Services Committee Financial Institutions subcommittee held a hearing on legislative proposals to improve transparency and accountability at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. I’m working with my colleagues to reform the CFPB so its regulatory actions would be subject to oversight by taxpayers’ representatives in Congress, which could limit the burdens the agency is putting on businesses such as community banks and car dealers in Arkansas. The Committee also passed a number of regulatory relief bills to reduce the government red tape that is making it needlessly difficult for small businesses to grow and create jobs. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that these bills are soon considered in the full House.
This week, the House Financial Services Committee Financial Institutions subcommittee held a hearing on legislative proposals to improve transparency and accountability at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. I’m working with my colleagues to reform the CFPB so its regulatory actions would be subject to oversight by taxpayers’ representatives in Congress, which could limit the burdens the agency is putting on businesses such as community banks and car dealers in Arkansas. The Committee also passed a number of regulatory relief bills to reduce the government red tape that is making it needlessly difficult for small businesses to grow and create jobs. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that these bills are soon considered in the full House.
House Foreign Affairs Committee
This week the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a full committee hearing examining the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Members of the Committee were able to question Obama Administration officials about the steps being taken to improve economic and security relations with Mexico. The Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee also looked at the enduring threat of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan and on Wednesday, the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee held a hearing on the ongoing and unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Syria.
This week the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a full committee hearing examining the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Members of the Committee were able to question Obama Administration officials about the steps being taken to improve economic and security relations with Mexico. The Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee also looked at the enduring threat of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan and on Wednesday, the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee held a hearing on the ongoing and unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Syria.
Accountability at the VA
The problems at the VA are systemic. We've now learned that they go beyond mistakes or incompetence and into potential criminal misconduct. Secretary Shinseki should resign for these failures, but responsibility ultimately lies with President Obama. He’s known about the problems at the VA since 2008 and said they were priority, but he's done next to nothing. If he had spent as much time and resources fixing the problems at the VA as he did the broken Obamacare website, then our veterans might be getting the care they deserve. In light of the problems at the VA, this week the House passed the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act, legislation that brings much needed accountability to the VA by making it easier to remove or demote senior leaders who are failing to live up to their responsibilities to our service men and women.
The problems at the VA are systemic. We've now learned that they go beyond mistakes or incompetence and into potential criminal misconduct. Secretary Shinseki should resign for these failures, but responsibility ultimately lies with President Obama. He’s known about the problems at the VA since 2008 and said they were priority, but he's done next to nothing. If he had spent as much time and resources fixing the problems at the VA as he did the broken Obamacare website, then our veterans might be getting the care they deserve. In light of the problems at the VA, this week the House passed the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act, legislation that brings much needed accountability to the VA by making it easier to remove or demote senior leaders who are failing to live up to their responsibilities to our service men and women.
Working to Combat Sex Trafficking
Human trafficking is an egregious—and unfortunately all too common—crime in the United States. In the first 6 months of 2013, a staggering 69 percent of all trafficking cases in Arkansas reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center were related to sex trafficking. The problem is only getting worse. This week the House passed a package of bills aimed at reversing this trend. These bills include H.R. 3530: the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, H.R. 3610: the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act, H.R. 4225: the Stop Advertising to Victims of Exploitation Act, H.R.4058: the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act, and H.R. 4573, International Megan’s Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking Act. Read my statement here.
Human trafficking is an egregious—and unfortunately all too common—crime in the United States. In the first 6 months of 2013, a staggering 69 percent of all trafficking cases in Arkansas reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center were related to sex trafficking. The problem is only getting worse. This week the House passed a package of bills aimed at reversing this trend. These bills include H.R. 3530: the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, H.R. 3610: the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act, H.R. 4225: the Stop Advertising to Victims of Exploitation Act, H.R.4058: the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act, and H.R. 4573, International Megan’s Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking Act. Read my statement here.
The Water Resources Reform and Development Act
This week, the House passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act. Originally passed by the House in October, the House worked with our colleagues in the Senate to resolve differences between our two versions of the bill. I am pleased with the final result, which ensures Arkansas waterways remain open for business, while saving taxpayers money and increasing efficiency. Two of my amendments were included in the final bill—the first addresses a discrepancy between population growth and water supply in small, rural communities and the second allows the Army Corps of Engineers to enter into cooperative agreements with local groups such as Friends of Lake Ouachita to maintain recreational facilities that would otherwise be closed because of budget cuts.
This week, the House passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act. Originally passed by the House in October, the House worked with our colleagues in the Senate to resolve differences between our two versions of the bill. I am pleased with the final result, which ensures Arkansas waterways remain open for business, while saving taxpayers money and increasing efficiency. Two of my amendments were included in the final bill—the first addresses a discrepancy between population growth and water supply in small, rural communities and the second allows the Army Corps of Engineers to enter into cooperative agreements with local groups such as Friends of Lake Ouachita to maintain recreational facilities that would otherwise be closed because of budget cuts.
Welspun Tour
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour Welspun Tubular to highlight the importance of approving the Keystone XL Pipeline. Approving the Keystone XL pipeline is a win for Arkansas’s economy. The House voted to approve the pipeline last year, but unfortunately it remains stalled in the Senate, where it so far has yet to even be scheduled for debate. Our underground pipeline infrastructure is aging and this is an opportunity to replace it with state-of-the-art pipe, built right in the Natural State. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss this important matter and appreciate Welspun’s efforts. I will continue to work to get the Keystone XL pipeline approved. Click here for photos from my visit to Welspun.
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour Welspun Tubular to highlight the importance of approving the Keystone XL Pipeline. Approving the Keystone XL pipeline is a win for Arkansas’s economy. The House voted to approve the pipeline last year, but unfortunately it remains stalled in the Senate, where it so far has yet to even be scheduled for debate. Our underground pipeline infrastructure is aging and this is an opportunity to replace it with state-of-the-art pipe, built right in the Natural State. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss this important matter and appreciate Welspun’s efforts. I will continue to work to get the Keystone XL pipeline approved. Click here for photos from my visit to Welspun.
IFDA’s Thomas Jefferson Award
This week, I was honored to receive the International Foodservice Distributors Association’s Thomas Jefferson Award. This award is given each Congress to Senators and Members of Congress who have shown a commitment to increasing economic opportunity and reducing government regulation. Read my full statement here.
This week, I was honored to receive the International Foodservice Distributors Association’s Thomas Jefferson Award. This award is given each Congress to Senators and Members of Congress who have shown a commitment to increasing economic opportunity and reducing government regulation. Read my full statement here.
Arkansans in the Capitol
Right to Left: Members of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - John and Megan with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Ashley with the Arkansas Health Care Association long term care providers - Members of the Arkansas AARP Chapter
Members of the American College of Emergency Physicians - Members of the Arkansas Oil Marketers
Ashley with the Arkansas Health Care Association long term care providers - Members of the Arkansas AARP Chapter
Members of the American College of Emergency Physicians - Members of the Arkansas Oil Marketers
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