Week of July 20, 2025

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of July 20, 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. Senate and House of Representatives passed a rescissions package at the end of last week, clawing back $9 billion for international aid and public broadcasting. All six members of the Arkansas congressional delegation backed the measure, which the White House requested to address funds for items they described as "antithetical to American interests and values." STORY: State’s federal lawmakers help pass $9B in cuts to foreign aid, public broadcasting The rescission measure takes $1.1 billion away from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The nonprofit corporation uses federal dollars to support public television and radio stations across the country, including Arkansas PBS and the state's NPR affiliates. Arkansas public media leaders are assessing their organization's financial health to determine how to best confront this funding gap. STORY: Funding cuts threaten future of Arkansas public media as Congress considers rescission package During the rescission discourse, the House celebrated "crypto week" by passing legislation aimed at regulating cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., was one of the leaders of "crypto week." The former Little Rock banker leads the House Financial Services Committee. STORY: Hill calls passage of digital asset regulations ‘high point’ of his time in Congress Two Democrats are building their campaigns for federal office. Hallie Shoffner, a sixth-generation farmer from Jackson County, officially launched her challenge to Republican Sen. Tom Cotton. Rob Ryerse, a Springdale pastor, is hoping to defeat Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., in next year's midterm elections. Ryerse challenged Womack in the 2018 Republican Primary in Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District, but he has since left the party and joined the Democratic Party. STORY: Arkansas farmer Hallie Shoffner formally launches bid for U.S. Senate, challenging Cotton STORY: Robb Ryerse seeks 2018 rematch with ’26 run in 3rd District Thank you for listening to "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on Bluesky for more developments from the nation's capital!