Senator John Boozman Discusses Key Issues Facing Arkansas and the Nation
KMTB and KNAS recently had the opportunity to speak with Arkansas’ senior U.S. Senator, John Boozman, on a number of topics ranging from the government funding deadline to American support for Israel in its ongoing conflict against terrorism in the Middle East.
Lawmakers averted a government shutdown on Thursday September 26, 2024, just days ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. The negotiated legislation pushes the funding crunch to December, right before Christmas and a new Congress and president take office.
Senator Boozman said it was vital lawmakers work together to avoid a full government shutdown like that seen for 35 days in the winter of 2018-2019. Boozman hopes the temporary spending bill will help Congress advance a more fiscally conservative budget into the new year.”
“Senator Boozman also addressed a proposed update to regulations enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that he believes would restrict the ability for fire departments to operate in their communities. These regulations focus primarily on increasing the amount of annual training within fire departments and mandating they regularly replace older equipment.
Concerns have arisen less over the proposed changes themselves, but rather the cost and administrative effort it would take to adopt them. Fire departments across the state and nation are already struggling to fill positions and balance budgets. Boozman said it’s a concern he hears increasingly from first responders in Arkansas.”
“Finally, Senator Boozman expressed his desire to see continued U.S. support for Israel in its regional conflicts in the Middle East. That situation escalated after Israel responded with aerial attacks against the Lebanese-based terrorist group Hezbollah. Hezbollah has reportedly fired over 10,000 rockets into Israel since Oct. 7, 2023. Those attacks have displaced more than 60,000 people in northern Israel.
Senator Boozman said Israel needs U.S. support to ensure its victory and survival as the region’s sole democratic state.”
“That’s Arkansas’ senior U.S. Senator John Boozman.”
