This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of August 18, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Democrats from across the country are converging in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention.

The event completes a month of changes to the Democratic Party's presidential ticket, with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the torch from President Joe Biden and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joining the Harris campaign as the party's vice presidential nominee.

Arkansas Democrats are arriving in Chicago enthusiastic about Harris, believing she will put forward a campaign capable of defeating former President Donald Trump in November.

Check Sunday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette for the full story.

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also track what's happening in the nation's capital by following me on social media; my handle across all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of August 11, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Arkansas Democrats are ecstatic about Vice President Kamala Harris' choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Harris named Walz to the Democratic presidential ticket last Tuesday, with the vice president and Democrats across the country now working to build momentum ahead of this fall's election.

Walz, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, is currently in the middle of his second term as governor.

STORY: Arkansas Democrats ecstatic about Harris’ running mate pick; Republicans criticize Walz' record

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., is helping lead a bipartisan effort addressing the current system used by Medicare for reimbursing doctors.

Boozman and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., introduced the Physician Fee Stabilization Act before the Senate began its August recess. The legislation would update the current fee schedule and prevent future reductions in payments to physicians.

STORY: Boozman helping lead charge addressing Medicare payments

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation are hopeful about securing millions of dollars for projects in Arkansas.

The lawmakers submitted funding requests to the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees to support projects across the Natural State ranging from interstate construction to work at the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs.

Check Monday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette for the full story

Thank you for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also track what's happening in the nation's capital by following me on social media; my handle across all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of August 4, 2024! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing these discussions.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., had an opportunity to present Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe with questions surrounding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the agency's shortcomings in protecting the former president and attendees of a July 13 rally in Pennsylvania.

Cotton, of Little Rock, participated in a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees last Tuesday, in which senators examined the shooting. Cotton serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

STORY: Cotton questions Secret Service’s acting chief on agency protocol after Trump assassination attempt

The Senate approved the nomination of Arkansas' adjutant general as the next director of the U.S. Army National Guard.

The Senate confirmed Jonathan Stubbs to the role, as well as a promotion from major general to lieutenant general.

STORY: U.S. Senate approves Arkansas adjutant general as director of U.S. Army National Guard

The Senate also concurred with the House of Representatives regarding a date for the public unveiling of the Johnny Cash statue at the U.S. Capitol.

The statue will officially become part of the National Statuary Hall Collection on Sept. 24. Arkansas currently has one statue part of this collection; Arkansans joined state and federal leaders on Capitol Hill in May to celebrate the installation of a statue recognizing civil rights leader Daisy Bates.

STORY: U.S. Senate approves Sept. 24 for unveiling of Cash statue

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., has added more stories to the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project. Boozman, of Rogers, and his office have submitted 104 narratives of Arkansas veterans to the collection thus far, with the submissions highlighting these individuals' experiences serving in the armed forces.

Check Moday's edition of the Democrat-Gazette for the full story,

Thank you for supporting "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also track what's happening in the nation's capital by following me on social media; my handle across all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.