This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Nov. 16, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The federal government shutdown ended last Wednesday when President Donald Trump signed a Senate plan to restore funding across the government.

All six members of Arkansas' congressional delegation backed the proposal, which maintains current funding levels for most federal agencies through Jan. 30. The legislation additionally funds agriculture, military construction and veterans affairs programs, as well as congressional operations, for the rest of the fiscal year.

The plan did not include language addressing the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, which will expire Dec. 31. Senate Democrats opposed an initial funding plan, citing the lack of attention toward extending these tax credits.

STORY: Boozman, Cotton support Senate plan to end government shutdown

STORY: Arkansas delegation backs bill to reopen government; Westerman says no one ‘gained anything’ from shutdown

STORY: Arkansas’ Hallie Shoffner says government shutdown shows need for change on Capitol Hill

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!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Nov. 9, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Arkansas will deploy around 100 Arkansas National Guard members to Washington, D.C., after Thanksgiving to assist with the Trump administration's efforts to address crime in the nation's capital.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office described the deployment as "part of a routine rotational relief" of other National Guard units already in Washington. The assignment will be supported through federal funding.

STORY: Sanders announces deployment of roughly 100 Arkansas National Guardsmen to Washington D.C.

STORY: Cost of Arkansas National Guard’s deployment to D.C. gets ‘very loose estimate’ of $24,000 per day

The federal government shutdown continues, leaving many government employees without paychecks for another week.

The U.S. Constitution mandates senators and House members receive "compensation for their services," but three members of the Arkansas congressional delegation — Republican Reps. French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman — have asked for their pay to be withheld amid the ongoing funding lapse.

STORY: Hill, Womack, Westerman oppose paychecks during government shutdown

STORY: Womack acknowledges ‘clerical error’ in receiving paycheck during shutdown

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!

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Nov. 2, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Saturday marked one month of the federal government shutdown, and its impact is apparent. The state of Arkansas has not received funding for federally supported programs, and thousands of federal workers have either been placed on furlough or required to work without pay.

The Democrat-Gazette spoke with members of Arkansas' congressional delegation about the shutdown, their work amid the funding lapse, and when the Senate and House of Representatives could reopen the government.

STORY: Arkansas lawmakers talk shutdown at one-month mark

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!