Two of Arkansas' U.S. Republican lawmakers suited up Wednesday for the Congressional Football Game. Reps. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro and Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs were members of the Mean Machine, which lost to The Guards (also known as the U.S. Capitol Police) 14-6 on a rainy night in Washington, D.C.
Overall, the Mean Machine's roster included 25 politicians. The game was touch, not tackle.
Tickets cost $10 each, and proceeds went to charity, including the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, which provides aid to the family members of officers killed in the line of duty.
HOLLYWOOD ON HILL
Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges stopped by Capitol Hill on Wednesday to urge politicians to do more to end childhood hunger.
One of the lawmakers he met with was U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark. Among other things, Boozman and the Hollywood actor discussed the Hunger Free Summer for Kids Act, a bill sponsored by Boozman that would give greater flexibility for programs that feed children when schools are not in session.
Bridges, who starred in The Big Lebowski (among other movies), co-founded the End Hunger Network in 1983 and has focused on the concern for decades.
MICHIGAN TRIP
U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., was scheduled to travel to Detroit on Saturday along with U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., to learn more about Focus: Hope's career training programs.
Focus: Hope is a nonprofit charitable group that has provided training to more than 12,000 people. Hill and Lawrence serve as co-chairmen of the Congressional Investment in America's Skilled Workforce Caucus.
"The point of the trip is to highlight aspirational jobs and careers that don't always require a 4-year college degree to obtain," Hill's office announced.
HELP OFFERED
Westerman is having what he calls "mobile office" sessions this week. The congressman's staff will visit towns across the state's Fourth Congressional District, offering assistance to constituents who have concerns about their Social Security, Medicare or veterans benefits. Anyone with questions about federal services is welcome. The locations are:
• Clark County Courthouse, 401 Clay St., Arkadelphia, Monday at 8:30 a.m.
• Nevada County Courthouse, 215 E. Second St., Prescott, Monday at 10:15 a.m.
• Miller County Courthouse, 400 Laurel St., Texarkana, Monday at 12:15 p.m.
• Lafayette County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Lewisville, Monday at 2 p.m.
• Columbia County Courthouse, 1 Court Square, Magnolia, Monday at 3:30 p.m.
• Ouachita County Courthouse, 145 Jefferson St. SW, Camden, Tuesday at 8 a.m.
• Calhoun County Courthouse, 309 W. Main St., Hampton, Tuesday at 9:45 a.m.
• Bradley County Courthouse, 101 E. Cedar St., Warren, Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.
• Ashley County Courthouse, 205 E. Jefferson St., Hamburg, Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
• Drew County Courthouse, 210 S. Main St., Monticello, Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
HELP, PART 2
Boozman is holding a "mobile office" -- his 100th -- Friday from 9-11 a.m. at the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, 123 W. Mountain St. in Fayetteville. Earlier in the week, he'll have a telephone town-hall meeting.
People who want to listen or ask questions can call (888) 400-1986 to participate. The town hall meeting begins Monday at 7 p.m.
COTTON
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., met Tuesday with Rick Henley of Jonesboro to discuss energy-related legislation. On Wednesday, Cotton visited with Tom Major, an official with InterDyn BMI in Little Rock about technology issues. On Friday, Cotton appeared on CNN to discuss news that U.S. troops will be on the ground in Syria.
"These are some of our most highly trained and decorated soldiers over the last 15 years. I am fully confident that they can perform their mission, but we have to recognize that there is risk," he said.
On Thursday Cotton congratulated "the 188th Wing out of Fort Smith on winning the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award."
CRAWFORD
Crawford attended House Agriculture Committee meetings -- Tuesday on the "Past Present and Future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" and Wednesday on "Big Data and Agriculture." On Monday, the committee will have another hearing, this one on "American Agriculture and Our National Security."
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Contact us at (501) 908-5204 or flockwood@arkansasonline.com.
SundayMonday on 11/01/2015