This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of Oct. 26, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your weekly look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The federal government shutdown enters a new week, and advocacy leaders in the Natural State are sharing their concerns about how the ongoing funding lapse will impact Arkansans.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services issued a warning last week regarding the lack of dollars to deliver SNAP benefits to thousands of Arkansans after Oct. 31. The state Department of Health has enough funding to support WIC — the nation's leading nutrition and health program for women and children — but only until mid-November.

STORY: Arkansas’ food assistance programs face uncertain future during shutdown

A statewide nonprofit organization has stopped accepting new cases, citing the government shutdown as the reason for the move.

Disability Rights Arkansas offers various services, including litigation assistance and investigations into abuse and neglect at health care facilities.

The organization receives federal grants to support its work, but agencies have not delivered these dollars due to the funding lapse.

STORY: Disability Rights Arkansas stops accepting new cases, blames federal shutdown

Members of Congress have been conducting some business on Capitol Hill amid the government shutdown.

The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee advanced multiple bills during a business meeting last Tuesday, including legislation from Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., to expand the Flatside Wilderness Area in Central Arkansas.

STORY: U.S. Senate committee advances bills with Arkansas ties, including one for expansion of Flatside Wilderness Area

Thank you for checking out this week's episode of "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 Oct. 19, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your weekly look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The federal government shutdown continues into a new week, but the funding lapse has not prevented Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., from announcing new legislation aimed at helping farmers.

Crawford, of Jonesboro, and Louisiana Republican Julia Letlow have introduced the Bridge the Gap for Rural Communities Act. The bill would provide farmers with the option of receiving partial payments to cover crop losses, as well as lift payment limitations for price and revenue loss programs.

The lawmakers' push comes amid discussions between the White House and Congress about potential economic assistance for farmers struggling to maintain their operations.

STORY: Crawford announces bill to provide farmers with economic relief options

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 Oct. 12, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your weekly look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The federal government shutdown continues, keeping much of Capitol Hill at a standstill.

Democrats have pushed back against a short-term spending measure from their Republican colleagues, arguing Congress must address premium tax credits for health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

A 2021 enhancement affecting the size and eligibility criteria of these subsidies will expire at year's end without congressional action.

STORY: Government shutdown spotlights health insurance subsidies, next month’s open enrollment

While some government programs have continued during the shutdown with minimal interruptions, state agencies may not have enough funding for nutrition assistance services if the shutdown extends past October.

The nation's top nutrition programs — SNAP and WIC — are supported through the annual appropriations process. As the Senate and House of Representatives have not passed any sort of spending measure, the federal Department of Agriculture has already warned that these programs' operations are "subject to the availability of funding."

STORY: Arkansas agencies warn that food programs facing new risk

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!