Washington news in brief

Cotton to address party Californians

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will address the California Republican Party Convention, the organization announced Thursday.

The event takes place in Anaheim on Oct. 20-22.

Cotton, a Republican from Dardanelle, will speak at the event’s dinner Oct. 21.

Several others are scheduled to appear, including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R- Calif., and Jeanine Pirro, host of the Fox News program Justice with Judge Jeanine.

California, a heavily Democratic state, hasn’t cast its electoral votes for a Republican since 1988, when George H.W. Bush narrowly defeated Massachusetts Gov. Mike Dukakis.

In a written statement, party Chairman Jim Brulte said he looks forward to welcoming Cotton and the other guests.

“As we gather to focus on electing Republicans in a blue state, these speakers will remind us that Republican values are California values — entrepreneurship, belief in a better future for our state and our country, and freedom,” he said.

“For too long Californians have seen poverty rates rise and opportunities disappear under Democrat control,” Brulte said. “I’m thrilled that these speakers are joining us to provide a vision for Republicans moving forward.”

McLarty co-writes advice to Trump

Hope native Mack McLarty and former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell co-wrote an op-ed piece in the Washington Post last week urging President Donald Trump to treat members of Congress as allies, not enemies.

“All Americans benefit when the White House and Congress work together, ideally in a bipartisan fashion, to improve the lives of the men and women they represent. We are all worse off, especially in times of crisis, if a president becomes isolated and unable to effectively lead,” the two men said.

McLarty was President Bill Clinton’s first chief of staff. Mitchell, a Democrat from Maine, served for years as Senate majority leader.

“The only way for an administration to move past early mistakes is to work with, rather than against, the legislative branch, keeping a focus on policy priorities and avoiding getting bogged down by infighting and insidethe- Beltway clashes,” they wrote.

Pastor Floyd prays for immigration fix

A member of President Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board is following the debate over immigration and said he hopes lawmakers will take action on the issue.

The Rev. Ronnie Floyd of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas said he opposes the status quo.

“America realizes that the immigration system needs to be addressed,” he said in a written statement. “I promise to pray for the president and the members of Congress over the next several months to come to a resolve about this issue in the most compassionate manner.

“Simultaneously, I am praying for every individual immigrant and family touched by this unfortunate situation.”

In addition to leading one of the region’s largest large churches, Floyd is a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Huckabee favors Alabama hopeful

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has endorsed Roy Moore for the U.S. Senate in Alabama.

Moore, the former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice, was removed from the bench in 2003 after defying a federal court order to take down a Ten Commandments display. Returned to office by voters, he was eventually suspended for refusing to honor court rulings pertaining to same-sex marriage.

After U. S. Sen. Jeff Sessions resigned to serve as U.S. attorney general, Moore announced that he would run for the vacant Senate seat.

On Aug. 15, he finished first in the Republican primary, surpassing Luther Strange, who was appointed to serve in the interim.

A runoff is set for Sept. 26. Huckabee said he hadn’t planned to take sides in the race, but he changed his mind after watching the Republican establishment line up behind Strange. Groups affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have spent millions of dollars to boost Strange’s chances; President Donald Trump also has endorsed Strange.

“If the GOP establishment is horrified at the notion of Judge Moore being elected, then by all means, let’s hope the wonderful people of Alabama make Judge Moore into Sen. Moore,” Huckabee told his supporters.

D.C. respects paid to ex-slave’s child

Mourners gathered in a Washington, D.C., church last week to celebrate the life of Prairie County native Ruth Odom Bonner.

The 100-year-old woman, the daughter of a freed slave, died late last month. Bonner’s father, Elijah Odom, was a doctor and businessman in Biscoe, a community that is also known as Fredonia.

One of eight children, Bonner was born in the Jim Crow South but lived long enough to see the nation’s first black president serve two terms.

On Sept. 24, 2016, she and some of her descendants joined President Barack Obama onstage during the dedication ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The president, the first lady and the native Arkansan rang a giant church bell, tugging on a rope as it pealed.

Pointing to Bonner’s 7-year-old great-granddaughter, Christine, Obama said the child would grow up “free and equal in the laws of her country and in the eyes of God.”