This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of June 30, 2024. 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. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee continues to move swiftly in considering Congress' annual appropriations measures.

The committee's Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee approved a $90 billion measure covering programs under the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., serves as the subcommittee's chairman.

STORY: U.S. House appropriators set to consider Womack-led spending measure in July

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced its version of the Water Resources Development Act. Congress considers the legislation biennially to authorize U.S. Army Corps of Engineer projects and water-related research.

Reps. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., and Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., serve on the committee and supported moving forward with the bill.

STORY: U.S. House committee approves water resources measure

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., and Katherine Andrews with the state Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism appeared before members of the House Natural Resources Committee to discuss a possible expansion of the Flatside Wilderness Area.

Hill, of Little Rock, introduced legislation last June to add more than 2,200 acres of the Ouachita National Forest to the protected wilderness.

STORY: Hill, Andrews pitch Flatside Wilderness expansion to U.S. House subcommittee

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 follow what's happening in the nation's capital by checking me out on social media; my handle across all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.