Bruce’s Take :

This week’s polar vortex brought snow and ice to many portions of the Fourth District. Many were advised to stay home, stay warm, and stay safe. However, in these moments, there are always the few who must sacrifice their own warmth and safety to keep our communities safe. These men and women are well-deserving of all of our thanks for the tireless hours and selfless work they have contributed in the past week.

We often see firefighters and police officers as the face of our first responders; the public servants who faithfully answer the call of duty. But in severe weather or natural disasters, our EMS workers, nurses, and doctors remain steadfast. Selflessly working around the clock, these men and women oftentimes make the hospital their temporary home in order to ensure Arkansans have the care they need in case of emergencies. We even heard stories of nurses in the Little Rock area organizing a system of volunteer drivers to help over 250 health care workers make it to the hospital in order to cover their shifts.

Plumbers are called when pipes burst and linemen are prepared to face the elements when power lines are affected. Road crews are dispatched to clear the streets and make sure drivers are safe. Nursing home workers often become a crucial lifeline for families, staying overnight to ensure residents are safe when families are unable to visit their loved ones. And our Arkansas National Guard were deployed to countless locations, standing at the ready to assist communities in clearing roads, rescuing stranded drivers, and offering their service wherever they were called.

There are so many folks who we have to thank for keeping our communities safe and running in times of crisis and difficulty. Their service truly embodies what it means to be a good neighbor, and I hope we can all take that same, others-first spirit of service and implement it into our own lives.

Serving others and taking care of our neighbors isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s an investment in our community. For many of us across Arkansas, this has been our home for generations. We discover the real, deep value of our community when we are proactive in taking care of the people and places outside of our own property lines. And when we can really see its value, we care more for it and work harder to make it a place not only we want to live, but a place for our children and grandchildren to live and in turn, invest in it themselves.

Weeks like these are hard. But with Arkansas grit and spirit, we can take these moments to remind ourselves of the gift we have been given of community and the importance of supporting and investing in the folks around us. Let’s take care of what we’ve been given and each other – it’s the most American thing we can do.

Tax Season is Here :

Tax season is here, and the Internal Revenue Service encourages all taxpayers to prepare well and be aware of all significant changes before filing this year’s taxes. For a full, up-to-date recap of what you need to know when filing your 2025 tax returns, visit the Tax Time Guide located on the IRS website. 

Note that it is important to wait until you have received all of your tax documents before filing as it could cause delays. 

If you’re planning to file your own taxes, here are a few options: 

• IRS Free File, available through IRS.gov, offers eligible taxpayers brand-name tax preparation software packages to use at no cost. Some of the Free File packages also offer free state tax return preparation. The software does all the work of finding deductions, credits, and exemptions. 

• Free File Fillable Forms can be used by taxpayers who are comfortable preparing their own taxes either by mail or online. 

• Direct File is an option for taxpayers to file federal tax returns online—for free—directly and securely with the IRS. Direct File is a filing option for taxpayers in participating states who have relatively simple tax returns and report only certain types of income and claim certain credits and deductions. Learn more at the link here: IRS Direct File. 

• MilTax is a free tax resource available to the military community, offered through the Department of Defense. MilTax includes tax preparation and electronic filing software, personalized support from tax consultants, and current information about filing taxes. It is designed to address the realities of military life—including deployments, combat and training pay, housing and rentals, and multi-state filings. Learn more at the link here: MilTax. 

• VITA and TCE. The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887. 

House Republicans Put More Money Back in Family Budgets 

Through the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, signed into law on the Fourth of July, Arkansans can expect to see larger tax returns and new opportunities to build long-term financial security for their children.

Tax relief is boosting take-home pay all year long: 

• Over $10,000 more in annual take-home pay for working families
• 15% average tax cut for Americans earning $15,000–$80,000
• More than 94% of middle-income working families receive a tax cut

The Working Families Tax Cuts locks in long-term tax benefits: 

• Standard deduction permanently doubled, used by 90% of American taxpayers
• Lower tax rates and brackets made permanent, locking  in reduced rates from the Trump tax cuts

The Working Families Tax Cuts also establishes Trump Accounts, allowing families to invest in their children’s future. All children under the age of 18 are eligible for this account, but children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, are eligible to receive a federal contribution of $1,000 into the account.  Learn more at TrumpAccounts.gov.

What families receive: 

• $1,000 federal contribution for every American child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028
• Account is fully in the child’s name, and parents are custodians until age 18
• Families have the option to contribute up to $5,000 per year 

Lockheed Martin Groundbreaking in Camden :

This week, I attended the groundbreaking for Lockheed Martin’s new Munitions Acceleration Center in Camden. This new center represents a significant investment in the skills of our growing workforce and in advanced factory technologies that will allow production to be faster, more efficient, and more effective. It was a privilege to see firsthand the commitment to serving and supporting our Armed Forces—this project is a tangible example of the investment needed to meet critical production demands. Arkansas has what America needs, and I am confident the workforce here in Camden is more than up to the task.

Summer Programs for Military Academies :

Every summer, our prestigious U.S. Military Academies offer competitive summer programs for high school students who may be interested in applying to a military academy following graduation. These summer sessions provide excellent insight into what academy life is like, along with the expectations for excellence in academics, athletics, fitness, and military training. Summer programs are a great way for these young men and women to decide if a military academy is the right fit for them.

Deadlines for Summer 2026 are approaching fast, so be sure to check application deadlines for the academies you or an interested student is interested in applying to.

Click on the links below for more information regarding summer programs at each military academy:

United States Naval Academy: Apply by March 31, 2026

United States Military Academy (West Point): Applications open February 15, 2026. Closes April 15. 2026.