Week of October 26, 2025

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Oct. 26, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your weekly look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions. The federal government shutdown enters a new week, and advocacy leaders in the Natural State are sharing their concerns about how the ongoing funding lapse will impact Arkansans. The Arkansas Department of Human Services issued a warning last week regarding the lack of dollars to deliver SNAP benefits to thousands of Arkansans after Oct. 31. The state Department of Health has enough funding to support WIC — the nation's leading nutrition and health program for women and children — but only until mid-November. STORY: Arkansas’ food assistance programs face uncertain future during shutdown A statewide nonprofit organization has stopped accepting new cases, citing the government shutdown as the reason for the move. Disability Rights Arkansas offers various services, including litigation assistance and investigations into abuse and neglect at health care facilities. The organization receives federal grants to support its work, but agencies have not delivered these dollars due to the funding lapse. STORY: Disability Rights Arkansas stops accepting new cases, blames federal shutdown Members of Congress have been conducting some business on Capitol Hill amid the government shutdown. The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee advanced multiple bills during a business meeting last Tuesday, including legislation from Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., to expand the Flatside Wilderness Area in Central Arkansas. STORY: U.S. Senate committee advances bills with Arkansas ties, including one for expansion of Flatside Wilderness Area Thank you for checking out this week's episode of "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!