Bruce’s Take :

Last year, House Republicans implemented policies into the One Big Beautiful Bill that eliminated the $200 federal tax stamp on silencers. This act alone took away the largest administrative and financial barrier to suppressor ownership. That legislation sparked a surge in the suppressor industry, allowing gun owners to have easier access to essential hearing protection and small business firearm retailers to see a much-needed boost in revenue. 

This change in federal law eliminated a stifling tax and created a more streamlined application process, giving citizens greater opportunities to exercise their Second Amendment rights and enjoy a cherished Arkansas pastime.

Many Arkansans, including myself, have grown up with a deep appreciation for firearms, shooting sports, and our Second Amendment rights. We own firearms for many reasons that include but aren’t limited to target practice, hunting, and personal protection for ourselves and our families. This is a time-honored tradition for many Arkansans that spans generations. It’s a love we’ve passed down to our children, who we trust will pass it along to their own. 

That’s why it is a proud duty of mine to stand against any attempt to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens to own, operate, and carry firearms. It’s also a privilege to support legislation that protects the safety of our state’s gunowners.

Cutting this bureaucratic red tape is further proof that when we roll back federal regulations and overreach, we can simplify processes, lower costs, and fuel economic growth.

The government should always aim to support responsible citizens, not stand in their way. When we remove and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, we can unleash our economy and create a marketplace where more goods are accessible and affordable for everyone.

State of the Union

Over the past year, the Republican trifecta has delivered commonsense solutions to ease the burdens everyday Arkansans are facing, and we are just getting started. Good governance means focusing on dinner table issues that matter most: cutting burdensome federal regulations, lowering the cost of living, creating stronger borders, and building a thriving economy. Tonight, while President Trump reaffirmed that vision, it is clear that there is still more work to do. I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration and my colleagues in the House and Senate to champion commonsense legislation that prioritizes American families, workers, and values. 

I was proud to have Dr. Mike Blazier join me at the State of the Union this week. Mike does incredible work as Dean at UAM and Director of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, leading the research that invests heavily in our state’s natural resources. As a fellow forester and Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, I know just how much our timber industry means to our Arkansas workforce and the entire nation.

Need Help with a Federal Agency?

Team Westerman is proud to help constituents across the Fourth District with federal issues related to passports, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Internal Revenue Service, Medicare and Medicaid, and other federal agency-related issues. While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.

Click here to submit your request.

U.S. Steel Celebrates 125 Years

This week, our nation celebrated the 125th birthday of U.S. Steel. A major player in shaping America’s industrial backbone, U.S. Steel continues to play a leading role in our nation’s manufacturing and economy, contributing over $2 billion to our local and state economies and supporting 4,725 Arkansans through employment. This anniversary is a celebration of American innovation, a strong workforce, and the communities that have powered U.S. Steel for over a century. This week, our nation celebrated the 125th birthday of U.S. Steel. A major player in shaping America’s industrial backbone, U.S. Steel continues to play a leading role in our nation’s manufacturing and economy, contributing over $2 billion to our local and state economies and supporting 4,725 Arkansans through employment. This anniversary is a celebration of American innovation, a strong workforce, and the communities that have powered U.S. Steel for over a century.

National Engineers Week

As a licensed professional engineer – with a service of over 20 years in the private sector – it’s a privilege to recognize a week dedicated to a profession that is crucial for developing infrastructure, technology, and sustainable solutions for our communities. Whether it’s designing safe roads and clean water systems or developing advanced technology, engineers are necessary for shaping a longer lasting and safer future.

Meeting with Arkansans

It was an honor to meet with Disabled American Veterans of Arkansas this week. Our veterans have given so much in service to our country, and I am grateful for the opportunity to hear more about how Congress can continue supporting them and their families.

Great to meet with the Arkansas Department of Transportation this week. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am committed to advancing policies that support continued growth and strong infrastructure across Arkansas

We are incredibly blessed with health professionals who are deeply committed to serving Arkansans. This week, I met with representatives from the American Academy of Neurology and the American Medical Association, and we had meaningful conversations about how legislation can best support medical practices and patient care in our state.

ICYMI: My Washington Times Health Care Op-Ed

Democrats want to expand federal policy and spending, while Republicans want to cut regulation and spending. But what we really need to understand is that health care policy is not about one partisan philosophy or the other.

It is about creating an accessible, functioning system where a working family does not have to choose between health insurance and putting food on the table. Where health care costs, which are also the largest expenditures of the federal government and biggest driver of our federal debt, don’t continue to escalate. A system where a young, healthy college graduate does not have to pay enormous out of pocket costs that subsidizes a broken system, instead of saving to buy a home.

Read the full article at the link here.

Congressional Art Competition

The Congressional Art Competition is an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent of high school students across the Fourth District of Arkansas! The winning artwork of our district’s competition will be proudly displayed for one year in the Cannon tunnel, which is used by thousands of tourists, Congressional staff, and Members of Congress as it directly connects the House Office Buildings to the U.S. Capitol.

Entries are to be submitted, in person, by April 9. Winners will be announced the week of April 21.

Learn more about the competition and rules for submission at the link here. 

Tax Season is Here

Tax season is here, and the IRS urges taxpayers to prepare early to navigate any significant changes for the 2025 filing year. To make the process smoother for taxpayers, I’ve compiled a list of essential resources and updates on my website to help you file with confidence. Click here to visit the link.