Alex Thomas
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Alex Thomas
@alexhousethomas.bsky.social
Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | Previously: West Virginia MetroNews, Carolina Connection | Tar Heel | Dead Head | He/Him | [email protected]
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From me: Regarding the size of its congressional delegation, Arkansas is below the national average.

In terms of influence — with five Arkansans serving as committee chairs — no other state may have a bigger sway in this Congress than the Natural State.

A look at this moment in Arkansas history.
Arkansas’ lawmakers in Washington now hold five committee leadership posts | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - Arkansas' Best News Source
www.arkansasonline.com
Interested education reporters! Join our Little Rock newsroom and cover a education system that always seems to make headlines.
JournalismJobs.com - Job Listing - Public Education Reporter
JournalismJobs.com has journalism and media job listings with digital media, newspapers, tv stations, radio stations, magazines, nonprofits, and academia.
www.journalismjobs.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Happy Thanksgiving from a former AP U.S. History student.
November 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Before we mark the Thanksgiving holiday, here’s one more “Arkies in the Beltway” episode for you!

Another busy week on Capitol Hill with plenty to discuss!
November 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
From Facebook: Rep. French Hill goes on a duck hunt.
November 23, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Me, mid-explaining the Olivia Nuzzi ethics debacle to my parents and realizing I should really leave the Beltway more
a cartoon tomato with big eyes and a red nose is standing on a table .
ALT: a cartoon tomato with big eyes and a red nose is standing on a table .
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
BREAKING: Trump signs a bill to release files on Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure after months of resistance.
Trump signs bill to release Jeffrey Epstein case files after fighting it for months
President Donald Trump has signed a bill to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 1:34 AM
From me: After 8,823 consecutive votes, Rep. Steve Womack's voting streak is over.

Womack missed Monday's votes, ending the longest active streak in the House.
Womack’s unbroken voting streak ends after more than 8,800 votes | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
WASHINGTON -- Entering this week, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., had not missed a single vote during his congressional career, building an active voting streak of more than 8,800 votes over nearly 15...
www.arkansasonline.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Since Rep. Steve Womack first arrived on Capitol Hill in January 2011, he has never missed a single vote in the House.

Until today.

“After almost fifteen years with a perfect voting record, I am sad to report that my streak will end today.”
November 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Need catching up on how the federal government shutdown ended? “Arkies in the Beltway” has you covered.
November 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
A little pro-tip from Ol’ Alexander: Don’t do anything Olivia did.

You will not get a rehabilitation tour and a book deal; your career will instead be over and no one will move heaven and Earth to save it.
November 14, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The Arkansas Department of Human Services: SNAP participants "should now expect to receive full benefit amounts for November, and that these funds will be disbursed to cards late tonight into tomorrow."
Full November SNAP benefits to be issued to cards beginning late this evening - Arkansas Department of Human Services
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is advising Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries that they should now expect to receive full benefit amo...
humanservices.arkansas.gov
November 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Over on the other app, Rep. Crawford announces he is driving from Jonesboro, Arkansas, with sights on being in Washington for tomorrow's House vote on the shutdown plan.
Rep. Rick Crawford on X: "Now that Senate Democrats have voted to open the federal government, I am starting the drive back to D.C. so the House can end the Democrat Shutdown and all the suffering it has caused for Americans. https://t.co/X3TzD83tfv" / X
Now that Senate Democrats have voted to open the federal government, I am starting the drive back to D.C. so the House can end the Democrat Shutdown and all the suffering it has caused for Americans. https://t.co/X3TzD83tfv
x.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
ICYMI: Arkansas' senators backed the Senate plan to bring the government shutdown to an end.

"The shutdown has been needless and harmful," Cotton told me last night.
Boozman, Cotton support Senate plan to end government shutdown | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
WASHINGTON — Nearly six weeks after the federal government shutdown began, Arkansas’ U.S. senators joined fellow Republicans and a group of Senate Democrats to pass legislation to end the funding laps...
www.arkansasonline.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
BREAKING: The Supreme Court rejects a call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.
Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Justices decline case seeking to overturn landmark same-sex marriage ruling
Justices decline case seeking to overturn landmark same-sex marriage ruling
The high court turned down a petition from Kim Davis, a former county clerk in Kentucky who objected on religious grounds to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The government shutdown continues into a new week. We have the latest on this week’s “Arkies in the Beltway.”
November 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Rather big news from USDA: Officials are "working towards implementing" November SNAP benefits following a federal judge's order instructing the government to fully support these benefits.
www.fns.usda.gov
November 7, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
JUST IN: Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the House, won't seek re-election, ending a nearly 40-year career in Congress.
Nancy Pelosi, first female speaker of the House, won't seek re-election to Congress
The California Democrat led her party in the House for two decades. Her decision will open up her San Francisco-based seat for the first time in nearly 40 years.
nbcnews.to
November 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
BREAKING: Democrat Jay Jones was elected Virginia attorney general after text message scandal, unseating GOP incumbent Jason Miyares.

Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
JUST IN: California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
California voters OK new congressional lines, boosting Democrats ahead of midterms
California voters have approved a ballot measure to redraw the state's congressional map to favor Democrats, marking the party's biggest victory to date in a national battle over redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
n.pr
November 5, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
BREAKING: Dem Rep. Mikie Sherrill has won the race for New Jersey governor.

She defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli to retain Democratic control of the governor's office as Dems win both of the year's gubernatorial races. 

Read more: politi.co/49xNGRV
November 5, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race, NBC News projects. nbcnews.to/4nIzNUC
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Reposted by Alex Thomas
JUST IN: Spanberger, a former congresswoman, flips the governor's mansion from red to blue after campaigning against the Trump administration's federal layoffs and tariffs.
Democrat Spanberger wins Virginia governor race with message on DOGE, cost of living
Spanberger, currently in the U.S. House, flips the governor's mansion from red to blue after campaigning against the Trump administration's federal layoffs and tariffs.
n.pr
November 5, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Former President Bill Clinton: "Throughout his long career in public service, Dick Cheney was guided by a deep belief that he was doing what was right for America. Though we often disagreed, I always respected his dedication to our country and his unwavering sense of duty."
November 4, 2025 at 5:19 PM