This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of June 16, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.
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U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., released Senate Republicans' framework of the next farm bill, another step in Congress' efforts to pass a sweeping legislative package addressing agricultural, rural development and nutrition issues during the current congressional session.
Boozman, of Rogers, serves as the top Republican on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.
The framework — which Boozman says emphasizes the agriculture portion of the farm bill — comes more than a month after Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., released an overview highlighting Democrats' priorities.
STORY: Boozman reveals farm bill framework as deadline for action nears
An Arkansas lawyer appeared before the Senate Finance Committee to address reports of abuse and neglect at residential treatment facilities, including centers in the Natural State.
Reagan Stanford, the abuse and neglect managing attorney for Disability Rights Arkansas, told senators the current care model is failing to help children, with methods instead promoting a dangerous environment.
The committee additionally released a 135-page report detailing the mistreatment of young people at these centers.
All four of Arkansas’ members in the U.S.