How Arkansas’ congressional delegation voted

Here is how Arkansas’ U.S. senators and U.S. representatives voted on major roll call votes during the week that ended Friday.

KEY: ✔ FOR ✖ AGAINST NOT VOTING PASSED DEFEATED VOTERAMA IN CONGRESS

HOUSE

The House was in recess.

SENATE

Maintaining national parks, conserving public spaces.

Agreed 79-18, to start debate on a bill (HR1957) that would greatly increase financial support of federal land agencies, including the National Park Service, and boost U.S. government funding of federal, state and local efforts to purchase and protect unspoiled acreage. To address the deterioration of hundreds of national parks and related areas in recent decades, the bill would allocate up to $6.5 billion over five years for repairs and maintenance, with funding to come mainly from payments to the Treasury by oil, gas and renewable-energy companies. The bill also would guarantee a $900 million annual budget for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provides federal and non-federal agencies with funds for acquiring and conserving undeveloped land. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is largely funded by fees and royalties collected from energy firms engaged in offshore drilling operations.

Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said: “This is an economic and jobs package as much as it is a conservation package. For every $1 million we spend in the Land and Water Conservation Fund, it supports between 16 and 30 jobs. It is our chance to not only protect our environment, to catch up on deferred maintenance, but also to grow our economy when our economy needs the growth.”

No senator spoke against the bill. A yes vote was to advance the bill toward expected final passage.

✔ John Boozman (R)

✔ Tom Cotton (R)

Confirming Charles Brown

as Air Force chief. confirmed 980, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., as U.S. Air Force chief of staff. The four-star general becomes the first African-American to lead a U.S. military service, and will leave his post as commander of the Pacific Air Forces to assume the four-year term. A command pilot, Brown has recorded more than 2,900 flying hours, including 130 hours in combat. There was no Senate floor debate on the nomination.

A yes vote was to confirm Brown to lead the Air Force.

✔ Boozman (R)

✔ Cotton (R)