Week of December 21, 2025

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Dec. 21, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with one last look for the year at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have completed legislative business for the year, as lawmakers left Capitol Hill last week for the holidays.

One of the last bills to receive the House's approval: Rep. Bruce Westerman's legislation addressing permitting for energy and infrastructure projects.

Westerman, of Hot Springs, and Maine Democrat Jared Golden introduced the SPEED Act in late July with the intent of expediting environmental reviews and curtailing challenges that hinder project completion.

STORY: U.S. House passes Westerman-backed bill to speed infrastructure permits, scale back environmental law

Arkansas could feel the impact of this year’s annual defense policy measure, thanks to language calling for expanding munitions production.

President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law last Thursday. This year's measure prioritizes domestic munitions production, which could result in more activity at the Pine Bluff Arsenal in Jefferson County.

STORY: Arkansas military installations get attention in National Defense Authorization Act

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