I believe in the sanctity of life. I’m proud to be a voice for the voiceless because defending the most vulnerable among us is one of the most important things we can do. Today, the Senate is scheduled to vote on two pieces of legislation to affirm the right to life and I will be voting in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
 
Science has proven that pain is felt by infants at 20 weeks after fertilization. We are one of only seven countries that still allows abortion after this point. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would end this practice, while providing exemptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. It is the right thing to do for any society that purports to value human life and dignity.
 
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act aims to protect newborns who survive an attempted abortion. The legislation would create criminal penalties for doctors who allow infants surviving abortion to die rather than provide them medical care, and also require that born-alive abortion survivors be transported to a hospital for treatment.
 
I believe we must defend newborn babies and their rights to life. This includes the right to the same care that any other child born at the same gestational age would receive, as opposed to being callously discarded or worse, intentionally killed in the name of reproductive freedom.
 
I’m a proud cosponsor these bills and whole-heartedly support pro-life legislation in the Senate.

I recently received the Family Research Council’s True Blue award for my support of pro-life policies, including my vote to advance the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in the first session of the 116th Congress.

Quick Takes:

• Opening Markets for Arkansas Rice: I led a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to push for increased market access for US-grown rice during negotiations for a new trade deal with the United Kingdom. The UK imports 600,000+ metric tons of rice annually. Prior to 2007, the UK was one of the largest export destinations for American rice. However, for more than a decade, the European Union (EU) has severely limited market access for US-grown rice. Now that the UK is no longer tied to the EU, negotiations for a new agreement provide a fresh opportunity for America's rice farmers to help meet the country’s needs.
  
  
• Boosting VA Suicide Prevention Efforts: The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee recently included language from my IMPROVE Well-Being for Veterans Act as a provision in a comprehensive bill that expands veterans’ access to mental health services. The legislation unanimously passed the committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate. My provision would enhance coordination and planning of veteran mental health and suicide prevention services and would better measure the effectiveness of these programs in order to reduce the alarming number of veteran suicides.
  
  
• Returning to Legislative Business: During the impeachment trial, the legislative business in the Senate was brought to a grinding halt. Now it’s back to business. Read about the legislative priorities I’m encouraging the Senate to address now that we’re back to work.
  
  
• Helping You: I’m proud of what my staff and I have accomplished to resolve issues involving the federal government on behalf of hardworking Arkansas families including problems with Social Security, Medicare paperwork glitches, passport troubles, tax matters or veterans issues. This week my staff is hosting Mobile Offices in Benton and Bull Shoals in conjunction with Census hiring events. Come learn about Census jobs available in your area and talk with my staff who can help with other concerns involving the federal government.
  
  
• Recognizing Arkansas Veterans: The ‘Salute to Veterans’ series honors the service and sacrifice of Arkansas veterans who served our nation in uniform. In the latest edition, I highlighted the service of 100-year-old WWII POW June Roberts. For more than three years, Roberts was known by his POW number, four digits that are still easy for him to remember in both English and Japanese. Roberts’ entire interview will be submitted to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
  
  
• Connect on Social Media: Stay up to date with what I’m doing for Arkansans via social media. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.