Week of June 9, 2024

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of June 9, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

As the Israel-Hamas war enters its eighth month, family members of American hostages continue pushing lawmakers and government officials to take action to get their loved ones back.

The Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad hosted a roundtable with family members and colleagues to discuss the war's ongoing impact.

U.S. Reps. French Hill, R-Ark., and Haley Stevens, D-Mich., serve as the task force's co-chairs.

STORY: Family members of Hamas hostages gather for Capitol Hill roundtable

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson participated in a forum on the United States' response to the coronavirus pandemic and hurdles in addressing future health emergencies.

Hutchinson's final years as governor were dominated by the response to COVID-19. Arkansas was one of a few states never to have a stay-at-home order, even as officials recorded high case numbers.

STORY: Hutchinson reflects on his Arkansas covid policies, U.S. response during pandemic

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., helped lead a bipartisan Senate delegation to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

Boozman, of Rogers, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., were selected to lead the group given their seniority on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

STORY: Boozman heads Senate trip commemorating D-Day

The House of Representatives advanced legislation to name the Kingsland post office after country music icon Johnny Cash.

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., introduced the measure in January.

Cash was born in Kingsland in February 1932, although his family moved to Mississippi County three years later.

Cash, however, never forgot his South Arkansas roots. One notable instance happened in March 1994; he returned to Kingsland to celebrate the opening of a new post office, the same one that may soon bear his name.

STORY: U.S. House of Representatives passes bill to name Kingsland post office after Johnny Cash

Thanks for listening to "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to stay up to date with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also follow what's happening in the nation's capital by checking me out on social media; my handle across all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.