Congressional Recap: More Keystone And Committee Assignments

It was a busy week in the nation’s capital for members of the state’s congressional delegation. The following is a digest of some events that happened in Washington, D.C. this week.

BOOZMAN: KEYSTONE XL ‘GOOD NEWS FOR ARKANSAS
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., gave a speech late Tuesday on the floor of the U.S. Senate in support of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Supporters of the project have said it would create nearly 40,000 jobs and a new source of energy, while opponents have stressed concerns over environmental issues.

Boozman said his office sent out an email survey to residents recently, asking them about what issue was important to them.

The answer was direct, Boozman said.

“Participants told me that one of their top priorities is an all-of-the-above energy policy that addresses current and future energy needs. The Senate has an opportunity to pass legislation that is a commonsense plan to improve our nation’s energy supply by approving the Keystone XL pipeline,” Boozman said.

“Tapping into these Canadian oil sands will offer us a reliable source of energy from one of our strongest allies and trading partners. This is good news as we work to reduce our dependence on oil from regions of the world that are hostile toward our country and it’s good news for Arkansas,” Boozman added.

Boozman also announced this week that his office is seeking summer college interns this year.

The interns will work in the Washington, D.C. and state offices and do everything from giving tours of the Capitol to helping staff with constituent issues.

The internship is unpaid, while students can receive college credit for the work. Also, candidates who work out of the Washington, D.C. office will be responsible for paying their travel and living expense.

The deadline to apply for the internship is March 10 and students interested can contact Mallory Cupples in the Washington D.C. office or Stacey Mattingly in the Little Rock office.

BOOZMAN, COTTON PRESIDE OVER SENATE
Both Boozman and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., have had an opportunity this month to preside over the U.S. Senate.

Cotton presided Monday afternoon during debate over the Keystone XL pipeline debate.

Boozman, who was elected in 2010, presided over the Senate Jan. 7. Republicans hold a 54-44 majority, with two independents (Angus King of Maine and Bernard Sanders of Vermont) who caucus with the Democrats.

COTTON NAMED TO BOARD
Cotton was named earlier this week to serve on the board of the International Republican Institute, his office said.

According to the group’s website, IRI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to advances freedom and democracy worldwide by helping political parties to become more issue-based and responsive.

Cotton was one of three people to be appointed to the board. Joining him were Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, and Google official Scott Carpenter.

COMMITTEES SET
The members of the delegation have also been receiving their committee assignments for the new session.

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, is serving on the House agriculture and transportation committees. Crawford is the chairman of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management subcommittee on the Agriculture committee. The subcommittee works on issues involving the Farm Bill.

This week, the other three members of the House delegation – Reps. French Hill, R-Little Rock, Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, – received committee assignments.

Hill was named to the House Finance Services Capital Markets and Oversight and Investigations subcommittees.

“I am honored to be named to these two key subcommittees. I look forward to working for solutions that promote economic growth, protect consumer access to capital, enhance transparency and accountability of federal agencies, reduce the regulatory burden created by flawed policies like Dodd-Frank, and protect Arkansans from big-government overreach,” Hill, who is in his first term, said in a statement.

Womack was appointed to the House Budget Committee, as well as the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies subcommittees.

Womack said in a statement that the budget committee appointment will give him an opportunity to help on a pressing national issue.

“But America’s spending problem is driven by our mandatory spending, and I am honored to also receive an appointment to the House Committee on the Budget and have the opportunity to comprehensively address our nation’s out-of-control spending and $18 trillion debt,” Womack said.

Westerman was also appointed Tuesday as vice chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee on the Environment.

“It is an honor to serve as vice chairman of this important subcommittee. We will lead the charge for sensible regulation and unearthing the scientific justification for actions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency. I look forward to serving under the subcommittee chairmanship of Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., as well as serving with my colleagues from across the House,” Westerman said.

Westerman will also serve on the Natural Resources and Budget committees.