Latest news with #Boozman
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Congress approves $141M for Fort Smith foreign pilot training center
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith is set to receive $141 million in new investments after receiving Congressional approval on Monday, officials announced. The funding was secured through the efforts of Sen. John Boozman, Sen. Tom Cotton and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, according to a news release from Boozman's office. 'This funding represents another critical step forward for Ebbing and the foreign pilot training center in the River Valley,' Boozman and Cotton said in the release. 'The FMS mission is not only tremendously beneficial for Fort Smith, the region and our state –– it is also a vital component of our national security strategy. The Arkansas congressional delegation will continue ensuring it has the resources necessary to successfully host our allies and partners to help defend our nation and interests.' 188th Security Forces Squadron, Fort Smith PD announce enhanced partnership In March 2023, it was announced that Ebbing was selected by the United States Air Force to be a long-term training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. 'I'm proud to have worked alongside my friends and colleagues, Sens. Boozman and Cotton, to secure funding for Ebbing Air National Guard Base in this challenging year,' Womack said in a statement. 'The F-35 FMS mission enhances our national security by improving the capabilities of our allies and partners while also delivering meaningful benefits to the surrounding Fort Smith community. I look forward to seeing this mission continue to grow.' The release said the funding will support the construction of an Academic Training Center, F-35 bay aircraft maintenance hangar and F-35 squad operations mission planning facility, along with the design of future projects on base. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UAMS launches pilot program for statewide initiative to support mothers, infants after childbirth
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A new statewide program is aiming to improve maternal and infant health in Arkansas, one of the states with the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has launched a three-tiered initiative through its new program, Arkansas Center for Women & Infants' Health. It offers vital resources to new mothers and babies during the critical postpartum period. Arkansas Department of Health, nonprofit react to 'F' on March of Dimes report for infant, maternal health 'We received this grant as a congressional earmark from Senator Boozman, who really wanted to help move the statistics,' said Dr. Nirvana Manning, executive director of the center. The program's first tier is focused on equity in education. UAMS is standardizing postpartum education across the state to ensure that families in every corner of Arkansas receive the same high-quality information about caring for both mother and baby. 'We don't want someone in one part of the state to get more or different or better information than another part of the state,' Manning explained. The second tier provides families with infant supply kits packed with essentials to help ease the transition from hospital to home. Federal grant gives Arkansas $17 million to support maternal health 'It just kind of helps with those immediate postpartum needs, navigating some of the unexpected things that you may need,' said Manning. Included in the kits are bright 'I Gave Birth' bracelets—more than just a keepsake. These bracelets serve as visual alerts to healthcare providers and emergency responders, signaling that the wearer recently gave birth and may still be at risk for complications. A QR code on the bracelet links to a digital resource hub accessible to both patients and their families. The third tier of the initiative is perhaps the most proactive: a postpartum call center. US maternal death rate rose slightly last year, health officials say Instead of waiting for families to seek help, UAMS providers will reach out to check in on physical health, mental wellbeing, and access to basic necessities. 'We're going through some health care things, but also social determinants of health,' Manning said. 'Do you need diapers? Do you need mental health care? Do we need help reapplying for insurance?' The goal is to 'wrap around these moms and patients where they need it most,' she added. The pilot program has already launched at UAMS in Little Rock, with plans to expand to all 33 birthing centers across the state by the end of summer. Organizers say they will tailor efforts to meet the unique needs of each community, particularly in healthcare deserts where access to maternal services is limited. To learn more about resources or the new initiative, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT -
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Citizens deserve answers from congressmen, even when questions make them uncomfortable
Part of the crowd that gathered for a town hall at First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Photo by Rich Shumate/Arkansas Advocate) Little Rock witnessed a tale of two events last week that says a lot about the troubled state of American politics. At the first event, voters incensed by two months of chaos in Washington gathered at the First United Methodist Church on Center Street downtown, filling every pew in the 750-seat sanctuary, as well as the balcony and the choir seats behind the pulpit. Those who couldn't find a seat stood around the edge of the sanctuary and at the back of the church; more than 100 people were turned away. The energy, and the anger, at this town hall meeting were palpable, as speaker after speaker talked about the impact President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk and their minions are having on Arkansans from all walks of life — veterans, children with disabilities, Medicaid patients, farmers, immigrants and scientific researchers. Meanwhile, eight blocks away at the Capital Hotel, U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton and John Boozman, who were both invited to the town hall, were instead rubbing elbows with donors at a high-dollar fundraiser for Cotton's reelection campaign that featured Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and a smattering of Stephenses and Dillards, with a Rockefeller thrown in. It cost $1,000 to mingle, $7,000 to dine, and $10,000 to be on the host committee. To thwart would-be protesters, the location of the fundraiser was only disclosed to ticket holders, although details started to leak on social media in the hours before the event. Given that Cotton, Boozman and Hill's own in-person town halls have become as rare as a duck-billed platypus, organizers of the Second Congressional District town hall had little expectation that any of them would accept their invitation. (Hill's scheduler said he was 'not available to participate'; Boozman and Cotton didn't respond.) Organizers left empty chairs for all three just in case. 'You are here because they won't do their job,' said Chris Jones, the 2022 Democratic candidate for governor, who moderated the event. 'It ain't that hard. There are only a few things you need to do. One of them is to provide a check on the madness that is coming from the executive branch.' There is, of course, nothing that requires French, Cotton or Boozman to meet in a public setting with their constituents, except perhaps a sense of duty that should go with the elected offices that they hold. Had they attended last week's event, they would no doubt have gotten a rough reception. People are ticked off. But that's part of the job. If you seek public office, you shouldn't be able to hide away from the public you represent because they make you uncomfortable. And you should represent, and be answerable to, all of your constituents, not just the ones who voted for you or agreeably nod their heads at everything you do. Alas, Arkansas' congressional delegation has little political incentive to engage with voters in an uncontrolled public setting. Hill is relatively safe in a racially gerrymandered district; Cotton and Boozman have little to fear in a very red state. They seem to believe they can disregard angry voters with impunity. Perhaps they're right about that, although it was notable at the town hall that the crowd gave one of its most vigorous ovations to Marcus Jones, the retired Army officer who ran against Hill last year, after he pushed back against Musk's targeting of veterans' programs, which is increasingly becoming an albatross around Republicans' necks. 'Our veterans swore an oath, and when we did, we wrote a check. And that check could be up to the cost of our own life,' Jones said. 'And part of that bargain is the government would take care of us. And the Trump administration is causing our nation to turn its back on that promise.' In addition to a lack of incentive to endure public scrutiny, Arkansas' congressmen may have a more pressing reason to avoid voter engagement, rooted in their political timidity in the face of the MAGA takeover of the Republican Party. For instance, Hill, to his credit, has been an outspoken supporter of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Imagine, then, if someone at the town hall had asked him whether he supported Trump's attempt to humiliate Zelenskyy, cut off support for Ukrainian freedom fighters and align U.S. policy with the Kremlin. He could not answer that question honestly without generating headlines that would anger the MAGA base. So it's easier just to avoid getting the question. Likewise, Boozman is a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and has made supporting veterans a key part of his legislative career. But if someone asked him if he supports plans by Musk's DOGE operation to cut 80,000 positions from the Veterans Administration, which will compromise services to veterans, he'd have to choose between honesty, sycophancy or evasion. Easier, then, to play hide-and-seek. The list of difficult questions for our congressional representatives goes on and on. Do they support staff cuts at the National Park Service that will affect services at the Buffalo River and Hot Springs National Park? Representing a tornado-prone state, do they support firings at the National Weather Service, which helps keep us safe? Or at FEMA, which helps us recover after disaster hits? What is their view on kneecapping life-saving research at UAMS, the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Children's Hospital through cuts to National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation funding? On eliminating the Department of Education that insures educational access for disabled students? Or stripping the Little Rock-based aid group WinRock International (established by Republican Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller) of funding by dismembering USAID? How do they plan to protect Arkansas farmers from the damage caused by Trump's tariffs? Or the jobs of folks at Lockheed Martin's plant in Camden who make missiles being sent to Ukraine? If our congressmen expressed any doubt about Dear Leader and his unelected billionaire sidekick, there would be hell to pay. It would also raise another thorny question that they wouldn't want to answer — if you oppose these actions that are harming Arkansans, then why aren't you doing more to stop Trump and Musk? On the other hand, if members of our delegation actually support chaos, mindless budget cuts and indiscriminate firings, shouldn't they be willing to defend them in public? Where is the courage of their convictions? The essence of representative government is that the people we elect should represent us, engage with us, and listen to us. When they refuse to do so in service of their own political survival, it has a corrosive effect on democracy, as voters who don't feel listened to, or represented, grow increasingly frustrated and angry. Our congressional delegation has shown no sign that they give a hoot about that frustration and anger. We should not expect them to turn up anytime soon to answer questions in an environment where they can't control the narrative. But that doesn't mean voters shouldn't continue to ask their questions more urgently and forcefully — even when they're only talking to empty chairs. That's what democracy looks like, to the degree that we still have democracy left.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brooke Rollins confirmed as Agriculture Secretary with Boozman's backing
Arkansas Sen. John Boozman led the charge on Feb. 13 to get Brooke Rollins confirmed as the next Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate confirmed Rollins with a vote of 72-28. 'America's farmers, ranchers, and foresters need a leader at USDA who will advocate for their livelihoods and rural America and be a strong voice to address the pressing needs of our agriculture community,' said Boozman during his speech ahead of the vote. Boozman is the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. 'In her hearing before the committee, she pledged to do everything within her ability to ensure our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities thrive.' Boozman was instrumental in adding a one-year farm bill extension to the final 2024 continuing resolution. While the bill provided $110 billion in disaster relief assistance in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, it cut $177 million for USDA programs without baseline funding, including rural economic development loans. USAID, which works with the USDA, was shut down by Elon Musk. While USAID provides aid to foreign countries, its funding tackles 90% of the famine crisis, with the money returning to American farmers. USAID supported American farmers by purchasing over $900 million in crops last year. Also, funding has been cut to some researchers developing crop strains to deal with severe flooding, heat, and cold. When asked if Boozman and Rollins had a plan to deal with these issues, Boozman's office responded, 'These are good questions that producers all over the country are asking. Sen. Boozman remains committed to supporting farmers, ranchers, and rural America with the necessary tools and resources to succeed.' During her confirmation hearing, Boozman's office said that Rollins will continue to support Arkansas farmers and research to improve crops' resistance to harsh weather conditions. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Boozman secures Senate confirmation for new USDA chief Brooke Rollins
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkansas senators Boozman, Cotton co-sponsors on bill that would repeal federal death tax
WASHINGTON D.C. (KNWA/KFTA) — Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) joined U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) and 45 other Senate Republicans to reintroduce legislation that would repeal the federal death tax. Called the Death Tax Repeal Act, Cotton said the bill would end a 'punitive' tax that can hit family-run farms, ranches, and businesses as the result of the owner's death. 'Families shouldn't have to sell major portions of their businesses or farms after the death of a parent just to afford the estate tax. Breaking apart a family's livelihood is neither fair nor good for the economy,' Cotton said. 'This legislation would end the federal death tax, making it much easier to preserve a family's legacy and way of life.' Arkansas senators Boozman, Cotton join in introducing gun suppressor legislation 'Arkansas's farm families and small businesses should have the opportunity to preserve their legacies for the next generation instead of getting hit with a penalty that jeopardizes their livelihoods,' Boozman said. 'They need certainty and relief from this counterproductive burden. Repealing the death tax supports our agriculture producers and entrepreneurs so they can continue to grow their operations and benefit their local economy.' Cotton said the bill would fully repeal the Estate Tax, repeal the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (GSTT) for when a grandparent transfers assets to a grandchild and maintain step-up basis. Click here to read the full bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
