Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

It’s impossible to enter the holiday season, and ultimately the end of the year, without pausing to reflect on the trials and triumphs throughout the past twelve months. Constituents across the Fourth District have felt the weight of increasing gas prices, grocery and electric bills, the impacts of natural disasters, and continued federal overreach. Many of you can agree that while there were definite moments of uncertainty, our nation, and the American people, charged forward with strength and a resiliency that can only be defined as the American Spirit.

 Addressing issues heard from constituents, I introduced several pieces of legislation this year directly impacting Arkansas and the Fourth District. A notable piece of legislation introduced was the Focus on Learning Act, which tackles the epidemic of cell phones in schools by requiring the U.S. Department of Education to complete a study on the impacts of cell phone use among students from kindergarten to twelfth grade and authorize a grant program to provide funding to provide students with secure containers to store their cell phones during school hours. It’s no surprise that the increased use of technology and social media among young people has deeply impacted their ability to learn and perform well in school, and we must implement the structures that are necessary to set our students up well for success.

 As the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, several bills were introduced that directly affect the Natural State and the country. As a forester, it was especially exciting to introduce the Fix our Forests Act, bipartisan legislation that ultimately passed the House to restore forest health and provide better protection and resources for communities by expediting environmental analyses, among many other action items. I also  introduced the EXPLORE Act, which passed both the House and the Senate. While this bill benefits all of America, the Fourth District was impacted by a provision to safely reopen the campgrounds at the Albert Pike Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest. Fishing, hunting, and camping are all favorite pastimes, and it is encouraging to legislation passed that positively impacts outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come.

 Americans, especially those in rural areas like the Fourth District, are in desperate need for commonsense health care legislation. I recently introduced the Fair Care Act of 2024 to tackle the issue of a convoluted health care system and provide greater transparency for medical bills, medical insurance, and more options for Americans. This legislation provides the opportunity for Americans with pre-existing conditions to access affordable healthcare and prescription drug costs in addition to easy health care via telehealth access. 

 For more information on legislation I have sponsored or cosponsored, you can visit Congress.gov to search for all legislation from this Congress and previous Congresses. 

 While we passed many bills to benefit the American people this year, House Republicans still have a job to do. With a Republican-controlled House, Senate, and White House, we are well-positioned to provide needed relief for Americans and Arkansans alike. It is such a high honor to continue representing the Fourth District of Arkansas, which is why conservative policies and America-first ideals will be top of mind as we head into the new year and the new Congress.