Week of March 9, 2025

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway!" This is Alex Thomas, the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and I'm here with your Arkansas-centric look at national politics for the week of March 9, 2025! Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation attended President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress last week. These Arkansans left the U.S. Capitol late last Tuesday expressing optimism about Trump's return to the White House and his leadership so far. STORY: Arkansas' congressional delegation lauds Trump's address The House of Representatives Financial Services Committee advanced legislation addressing a recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule on overdraft fees. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., introduced House Joint Resolution 59 in February. The measure would prevent the agency from implementing the change and issuing similar policies for the foreseeable future. STORY: Hill’s proposal to invalidate limits on overdraft fees gets House panel’s OK Meanwhile, members of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee began consideration of Rep. Bruce Westerman's bill addressing forest management and wildfires. The House approved the Fix Our Forests Act in January. Westerman, a Hot Springs Republican, and California Democrat Scott Peters pushed the legislation through Congress' lower chamber. STORY: U.S. Senate committee begins consideration of Westerman forest bill 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!