Week of April 13, 2025

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of April 13, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate budget framework on Thursday. The blueprint calls on congressional committees to recommend actions meeting Republicans' goals of spending reductions and extending the 2017 tax breaks. All four of Arkansas' House members backed the legislation. Congressional Democrats have been vocal with their opposition to the framework over possible cuts to government services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid. STORY: Disagreements over proposed SNAP changes at center of U.S. House hearing Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is now the ambassador to Israel. The Senate confirmed Huckabee's nomination last Wednesday in a 53-46 vote. Hours after the vote, Huckabee took the oath of office in a ceremony at the state Capitol in Little Rock. STORY: U.S. Senate confirms Mike Huckabee as next ambassador to Israel President Donald Trump is positioned to sign legislation overturning a Biden administration rule capping overdraft fees at banks and credit unions. The House approved a Senate resolution nullifying a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule limiting overdraft fees to $5. The rule was supposed to take effect in October. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., in February introduced a House resolution with identical language to the Senate resolution. Hill, a former banker, chairs the House Financial Services Committee. STORY: U.S. House votes to overturn overdraft rule; Arkansas lawmakers back nullification Thanks for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on Bluesky for developments from the nation's capital!