Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Throughout the 118th Congress, it was a privilege to introduce legislation with direct impacts to Arkansas and the Fourth District. This week, it was exciting to see many of those bills pass the Senate – an early Christmas gift to AR-04!

The Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 – a major win for America and the Fourth District. It was exciting to see a modified version of my bill, the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act, included in WRDA. The LAKES Act expands opportunities to improve and develop outdoor recreation facilities at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) managed areas and will address everyday concerns regularly heard from constituents. Language was also secured for directing USACE to reopen recreation areas at the Dardanelle Lock and Dam for fishing, which had been closed for several years following major flooding. Lastly, a fix in this bill was included to ensure Arkansas has dredge access in the event of a major emergency. Our waterways are critical to so many aspects of life in Arkansas and this will safeguard them for years to come.

Arkansans and Americans alike will benefit from the Senate passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. A comprehensive, bipartisan bill, EXPLORE will improve access and opportunity for outdoor recreation across our public lands and waters. A win directly for the Fourth District is the provision to reopen overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area. Numerous constituents have expressed their disappointment with the initial decision by the Forest Service to suspend overnight camping, and this bill will reinstate that access in addition to better management of the Albert Pike Recreation Area. Overall, the EXPLORE ACT will modernize the visitor experience, reduce overcrowding, improve access for those with disabilities, address infrastructure issues, and reduce a burdensome permitting process experienced by small businesses who greatly depend on public land access for their livelihood.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 passed the Senate as well. From funneling critical investments to the state of Arkansas to expanding programs which help Arkansas’ 1,800 military spouses attain and retain employment, the positive impacts of the FY25 NDAA will be felt for years to come. An especially commendable provision benefitting the Fourth District, in particular, removes the reversionary interest on the Army Navy Hospital to allow the state to develop or sell the property and requires the development to complement Hot Springs National Park. It also provides a path for the property to revert back to the Department of the Interior, and be administered as part of the Park, if the state does not want the property. 

And finally, my bill to designate the post office in Kingsland, Arkansas, as the “Kingsland ‘Johnny Cash’ Post Office” will now head to the President’s desk after its passage in the Senate. This bill is a well-deserved testament to the legacy Johnny Cash left behind through service to his country, his iconic music, and the deep influence he and his family have had on the Natural State. I’m proud of the impact the legacy of Johnny Cash has on the state of Arkansas and the Fourth District.

As we are only a few days away from Christmas, it was certainly a gift to the Fourth District by the Senate to send legislation to the president’s desk. As your Congressman, it remains a primary goal in the 119th Congress to continue crafting policy that benefits Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District, Arkansas as a whole, and America for years to come.