Congressional Recap: Netanyahu Speech Anchors Week

Foreign policy and the economy were two of the major issues that members of the Arkansas congressional delegation dealt with this week in Congress.

The following is a breakdown of news from the nation’s capital:

DELEGATION SUPPORTS NETANYAHU SPEECH
On Tuesday, Congress heard from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint address.

Netanyahu spoke for nearly an hour about negotiations between the United States and Iran on nuclear weapons, as well as about Iran’s ties to terrorism.

Members of the state’s congressional delegation were positive about the speech and their support for Israel.

“A nuclear Iran endangers the very existence of Israel, a bright light of democracy and our greatest ally in a region that is becoming more and more volatile with every passing day. Make no mistake, America must mitigate this threat, as well as the threat of radical Islam, and as we do so, our partnership with Israel is more important than ever,” Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers said. “I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for his unconditional commitment to fighting these existential threats with us.”

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said lawmakers learned a lot from the speech from Netanyahu, especially on the terrorism issue.

“I am happy to welcome a truly courageous leader to address the Congress today. There is no one better equipped to discuss the danger posed by a nuclear Iran than Prime Minister Netanyahu. For decades, Iran has had as its expressed goal for Israel to be ‘wiped off the face of the earth’ and has been a lead financier and arms supplier of terrorist organizations dedicated to destroying Israel. If Iran is allowed to retain their nuclear program, the United States will find itself in a similar position,” Cotton said. “The Obama administration’s negotiations with Iran have become an endless series of concessions. Any deal reached at the end of this month will inevitably empower our enemies and put our national security at risk. It is up to Congress to stand with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel and restore the credible threat of force against Iran to permanently end their nuclear program.”

KEYSTONE OVERRIDE FAILS
The Senate voted 62-37 – five votes shy of a two-thirds vote – Wednesday to override a veto from President Barack Obama on the Keystone XL pipeline project.

The state’s two United States senators said the project, which would link a 3,000 mile pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico if built, was needed.

“Today, Senate Democrats once again put politics ahead of best interests of the American people. Their refusal to override the President’s veto is nothing more than an attempt to appease their liberal allies. But Arkansans and Americans know the Keystone XL Pipeline is a win for our economy,” Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said. “It will lower energy costs across the board and create jobs across the country. Rest assured, I remain committed to allowing the Keystone XL Pipeline to move forward.”

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said the President was placating his liberal base with the veto decision.

“Instead of taking a stand for American workers and energy independence, President Obama and his allies in the Senate are siding with far-left environmentalists who continue to stall a project that has been proven, in test after test, to be one of the safest means of transportation. This is the type of commonsense, job creating infrastructure project that America needs. It will create well-paying jobs for skilled laborers, at no expense to the taxpayers, and in fact has already created hundreds of jobs in Arkansas, all the while helping get oil on the market from one of our closest allies,” Boozman said. “The majority of Congress supports this project. As do the majority of Americans. We will continue to pursue bipartisan ways to get the Keystone XL Pipeline moving and make President Obama stand up for the interests of hardworking Americans, instead of a small group of vocal donors.”

WESTERMAN SPONSORS PENSION REFORM BILL
Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, said this week a new bill would adjust the calculation of average pay for purpose of federal civilian annuities.

“This bill would simply change the formula for determining pension benefits for civilian federal employees from the best-earning three years to the best-earning five years of service,” Westerman said of HR 1230. “The bill ensures that the program employees of the federal government have paid into for their careers is available in retirement and sustainable for future generations.”

The bill is expected to save taxpayers nearly $3 billion over the next 10 years and would go into effect Jan. 1, 2017.

As a part of the proposal, all federal civilian employees – including members of Congress and their staffs – would be impacted by the change. The only exemption to the proposed legislative action are active duty and retired military personnel.

WESTERMAN CHIEF OF STAFF RESIGNS
K. Ryan James, the chief of staff for Rep. Bruce Westerman, resigned this week over issues involving a speeding ticket, a parking ticket and a suspended driver’s license.

James told Talk Business & Politics Monday that he failed to pay a parking ticket he received in Hot Springs last December. When he was stopped for speeding in Pike County on Feb. 19, James said he learned his license had been suspended due to not paying the ticket.

“I had no earthly idea that that was the case,” James said Monday. “I got it and forgot about it while I was trying to pack up and make my move up here (to Washington).”

James accepted full responsibility on the issue.

“This is on me,” James said, noting he did not want to be a distraction for Westerman.

On Monday, Westerman said the issue snowballed.

“Had it been a parking ticket, that’s one thing,” Westerman told Talk Business & Politics.

Westerman said that not paying the ticket in a timely manner, the suspended license and being stopped for speeding made the issue imperative.

“I have pretty high expectations for staff here,” Westerman said. “We agreed the best thing was to step down at this time.”

DEASON APPOINTED VETERANS OFFICER FOR BOOZMAN
A retired, career military officer was named this week to serve as an advisor for military and veterans’ issues to Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.

Boozman named retired Col. Anita Deason to the post. Deason replaces longtime aide Steve Gray, who retired in January. Gray, a retired Lt. Colonel, served as an advisor to Boozman since 2001, as well as on the staff of Boozman’s predecessor, then-Rep. and now Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Boozman said Deason, who was in the military for 33 years, served as a platoon leader, detachment commander, company executive officer and company commander, as well as a human resources officer for the Arkansas National Guard.

Deason said she is ready to serve.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve those that have served and those continuing to serve our country. I am excited to be on Senator Boozman’s team,” Deason said.

During her military service, Col. Deason earned numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and the Arkansas Commendation Medal. The Conway resident will be based out of Boozman’s Little Rock office but will travel around the state.