Boozman calls out FCC on fund step

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. John Boozman told Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler on Tuesday that he's unhappy with how the agency wants to spend taxpayers' money.

In its budget request for fiscal 2017, the agency said it wants to take $9.5 million from the Universal Service Fund and use it "to cover costs related to the oversight" of the fund.

But some lawmakers doubt the transfer is necessary.

According to the agency's website, the fund is supposed to "increase nationwide access to advanced telecommunications services [and] advance the availability of such services to all consumers, including those in low income, rural, insular, and high cost areas, at rates that are reasonably comparable to those charged in urban areas."

"The Universal Service Fund is intended to help ensure that all Americans have access to telecommunications service. It is not intended to be a reserve fund to pay for the FCC's operating expenses," Boozman said in his prepared statement.

"Many people in Arkansas think the FCC has forgotten about rural America. I think that view is shared by a number of my colleagues. Transferring money away from broadband deployment to offset agency spending in D.C. aggravates that all-too-real perception," the Rogers Republican added.

Bar Iran from dollar, Cotton exhorts U.S.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton participated in a Wednesday panel discussion organized by the Main Street Growth Project, titled "Collateral Damage: How Main Street Is Getting Hurt in the Fight Over Wall Street." Panel members said regulations passed in the wake of the 2008 banking crisis are making life more difficult for small businesses and the community banks that serve them.

On Tuesday, he spoke at the Hoover Institute. The topic: "What are the Ramifications of Current Foreign Policy for the Next Administration?" Cotton was joined by Elliott Abrams, the former deputy national security adviser.

Thursday, the Dardanelle Republican spoke on the Senate floor urging President Barack Obama's administration not to lower barriers that deny Iran access to the U.S. financial system.

"I want to be very clear: if the president moves to grant Iran access to the U.S. dollar -- whether directly or indirectly -- there will be consequences," he said.

Cotton said giving Iran this kind of access would violate past promises.

Hill hears views of Russians, Poles

Second District U.S. Rep. French Hill and other congressmen traveled earlier this month to the former Soviet Union, stopping in one of its former satellite states.

The Little Rock Republican was serving as deputy assistant secretary of the treasury for corporate finance in the George H.W. Bush administration when the Iron Curtain fell. He helped design the U.S. assistance that the Treasury Department provided to the newly liberated eastern and central European states.

Via email Friday, Hill summed up the trip. "I traveled with four of my colleagues to Russia and Poland. I wanted to hear first-hand from the Russians on their views on Syria, Ukraine, and the state of U.S./Russian relations. In Warsaw, I listened to Polish assessments on these same issues from a European point of view," he said.

Hill, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, doesn't favor isolationist policies.

"A stronger Europe and a strong and effective NATO alliance are needed to protect and enhance our own security interests. On these critical issues and on the Global War on Terror, our government must remain fully engaged with our allies and the Russian government," he said.

Womack sees coin minted in N.Y. town

Third District U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, who serves on the West Point board of visitors, traveled to the New York town last week to attend a board meeting.

Although most famous for its military academy, West Point also has a U.S. mint facility. Womack watched the creation of a 1-ounce American Gold Eagle coin. The 22-karat collector's item has a face value of $50, but can be purchased on the U.S. mint's website for $1,560.

West Point also minted the gold coins commemorating the U.S. Marshals Service's 225th anniversary. A portion of the proceeds was earmarked for the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith.

Back in his district, the Rogers Republican made numerous stops. In Siloam Springs, he stopped by the police station, the Career Academy and the public library. Thursday evening, the lawmaker took his grandson to see the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' home opener. In addition to watching baseball, young Kaden got to see his grandpa throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Saturday, Womack was scheduled to speak at the Sebastian County Emergency Services Banquet at Greenwood High School.

Crawford, farmers spend time in Cuba

First District U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford spent part of last week in Cuba, traveling with farmers and agricultural producers from Arkansas and Louisiana. Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana also was part of the delegation, which left Wednesday and was to return Saturday.

The Jonesboro Republican has introduced legislation to help lower barriers to trade with Cuba, enabling Americans to extend credit to nongovernmental purchasers. Arkansas' 1st District ranks first among the nation's 435 congressional districts when it comes to rice growing. Louisiana grows much of the nation's sugar cane.

Crawford's itinerary included visits with government leaders, Cuban agriculture producers and University of Havana agriculture professors. The delegation, which included several Arkansas rice farmers, planned to tour several agriculture sites, his spokesman said.

Rally, PB forum on Westerman's stops

Fourth District U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman attended a Child Abuse Awareness Rally at Hot Springs' Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Hot Springs Republican also attended a Pine Bluff conference titled "The Arkansas Delta: Why It Still Matters." Speakers included Westerman, Delta Regional Authority Federal co-Chairman Chris Masingill, Arkansas Economic Development Commission Executive Director Mike Preston and a host of other business, government and community leaders.

Wednesday, Westerman crossed the state line so he could attend a ribbon cutting at the Red River Army Depot's Maneuver Systems Sustainment Center. Although it is near Texarkana on the Texas side of the border, it employs hundreds of Arkansans, his office said.

During a stop in Arkadelphia, he learned about Henderson State University's aviation program and tried out a flight simulator. The school offers a four-year bachelor of science aviation degree program, the only one of its kind in Arkansas.

Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or [email protected]

SundayMonday on 04/10/2016