Arkansas Congressional contingent get to business in Washington as new session begins

WASHINGTON, DC — A new Congress began Friday, with lawmakers heading to the nation’s capital, first to vote on a new House Speaker. Supporters and opponents of House Speaker Mike Johnson worked the House floor to reach the 218 votes needed to become Speaker, with several issues on the agenda.

It took some work but Speaker Johnson won the race on the first ballot.

The Speaker received key support earlier in the week and on Friday from President-Elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office Jan. 20.

The vote began around midday as lawmakers first heard nominating speeches. Rep.

Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) nominated Speaker Johnson of Louisiana, while Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) nominated Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

After the nominating speeches, the House began the arduous task of counting up the votes.

“Johnson,” Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Jonesboro) could be heard saying on the television feed.

Reps. French Hill (R-Little Rock), Steve Womack (RRogers) and Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) also voted for Speaker Johnson in the early going.

However, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Keith Self (R-TX) and Ralph Norman (R-SC) had earlier voted against the House Speaker in the first round, leaving no room for error for the GOP Speaker.

According to the AP, Speaker Johnson then walked off the floor after the first round of voting, needing two more votes to become Speaker on the first ballot. Johnson met with lawmakers about the situation, with Self and Norman following Johnson away from cameras off the House floor.

Later, Norman and Self changed their votes, putting Johnson over the 218 number. The voting was 218 in favor of Speaker Johnson, 215 in favor of Rep. Jeffries and one in favor of Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN).

“It is an honor to once again represent the people of the First District of Arkansas in Washington, D.C. I look forward to working with both a Republican majority in the Senate and President Trump to work towards a brighter future for Arkansans. There are many challenges ahead, and the path won’t be easy, but I remain positive that we will deliver on our promises to the American people,” said Crawford. “I want to congratulate my good friend and colleague on his re-election as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Mike Johnson is a man of honor and conviction who has shown the American people that true leadership comes from the heart of a servant. The job of Speaker isn’t easy. It requires hard-work, sacrifice, determination, and a collegial spirit ready to do what is best for our country.

Mike Johnson exemplifies all those attributes and more. I was proud to cast my vote for him, and I am proud to serve with him in the 119th Congress as we restore America’s economic might and provide our citizens the pathway to a brighter future.”

Hill thanked the House Speaker.

“I look forward to working closely with our Speaker, @realDonaldTrump, and a Republican-led Senate in ensuring a strong economy, getting our fiscal house in order, and maintaining America as the leading economy in the world and the preferred location for technology research and development, global capital formation and entrepreneurship,” Hill said in a

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Womack, who presided over the House Friday as Speaker Pro Tempore, congratulated the House Speaker for the political victory. “Mike is a hardworking man, a devoted Christian and a capable conservative who’s earned the confidence of President Trump and @House GOP. I look forward to working under his leadership to deliver on President Trump’s agenda,” Womack said.

Westerman also said in a statement that he was proud to vote for Johnson as speaker.

“I was proud to vote for Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House for the 119th Congress. I look forward to working with him to secure our border, strengthen the American economy, make America energy dominant and put Americans first,” Westerman said.

“Congratulations, Speaker Johnson.”

Sen. Tom Cotton also thanked Johnson. “Congratulations, @SpeakerJohnson. Senate Republicans are ready to work with you to deliver for the American people. And to start to undo the massive damage that Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats have done to America,” Cotton said.

The Senate also convened Friday for a new session, with Republicans having a 53-47 majority over Democrats.

Vice President Kamala Harris swore in new senators and 91year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) became President Pro Tempore.

Sen. John Boozman also issued a statement, saying the agenda will be busy this year.

“This Congress has the opportunity to deliver the results that Arkansans expect: economic growth and opportunity, security at our borders and safety on our streets, and strong international leadership that only America can provide. I am eager to work alongside the Trump administration to support that agenda,” Boozman said. “As the incoming leader of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I especially look forward to addressing the needs of agriculture producers by passing a new farm bill and advancing policies that support the rural communities they live and work in.”

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Court dates set in

Paragould rape case

PARAGOULD — A circuit judge on Monday set a March trial date for a Greene County man accused of rape earlier this year.

According to court records, Dawayne Franklin Quinn, 39, of Paragould will next appear in court March 3 after his arrest Nov. 6. Quinn was arrested after an investigation by Greene County deputies.

The Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline received a report June 25 about a minor female who had been found in bed with an adult male. Authorities later interviewed the female.

She told investigators that Quinn had lived in the home for several years and that she and her siblings had been left in the care of Quinn while their mother worked at night, investigators said in an affidavit.

Authorities also spoke with a witness in the case.

“He walked into the bedroom and witnessed (Quinn) in the bed under the covers with the minor female,” investigators said in the affidavit. “He stated that he could tell the minor female was reaching down past her hips pulling at her shorts and he could tell that she was pulling them up.” A Feb. 13 pre-trial was also set during the court appearance Monday. Quinn is being held in the Greene County jail on a $250,000 bond.