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!

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!