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.