Week of August 24, 2025

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of August 24, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are preparing to resume legislative duties on Capitol Hill after Labor Day.

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., hopes lawmakers work on passing permitting legislation — including his SPEED Act — later this fall.

Westerman, of Hot Springs, has pushed for overhauling the current permitting system, leading a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on issues affecting energy and public infrastructure projects before the August recess.

STORY: Westerman sees ‘growing bipartisan desire’ to speed infrastructure permits, scale back environmental law

Another Democrat has launched a bid to challenge U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., in next year's Senate contest.

Lewisville Mayor Ethan Dunbar has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for federal office.

Dunbar, who chairs the Arkansas Black Mayors Association, told the Democrat-Gazette that his decision stems in part from the hostile national political climate. He further said, "our political process has experienced some moral decay, and we've got to return respect for humanity first."

STORY: Lewisville mayor seeking Democratic nomination to face GOP’s Cotton for U.S. Senate seat

Thank you for listening to "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on Bluesky for more developments from the nation's capital!