Bruce’s Take

The current federal permitting process hamstrings every corner of American life. Everything from gravel road repairs to simple agricultural maintenance and large-scale industrial projects are smothered under the weight of this cumbersome process. Once a powerhouse for innovation, expansion, and production, the United States is now severely lacking in the resources needed to push necessary production across the finish line – being cut off at the knees by senseless, bureaucratic red tape. Projects that at one time took only a year or two from implementation to completion now take decades, with some still waiting to be finished. 

This week, the president signed a Presidential Memoranda aimed at updating the technology used to speed up the permitting process — a process in which a series of steps are included in order to receive authorization for constructing or developing everything from infrastructure projects to economic and environmental development. When it takes years upon years to review environmental impacts, ensure compliance with zoning regulations, identify potential issues, and more, our investments wither and our nation falls behind as we wait for infrastructure that can compete with our global adversaries and meet the growing demands of a 21st-century society.

Under this Presidential Action, the president is urging executive departments and agencies to maximize their use of modern technology in their permitting processes for all infrastructure projects like highways, bridges, factories, and other projects that are required to meet the growing demands of a modern-day society — a step that will properly leverage technology to evaluate environmental permits which cause inordinate delays to delivering important infrastructure. 

There is still a long road ahead, however there is no doubt that House Republicans will continue working with the administration on this initiative in the 119th Congress. As a longtime advocate and supporter of permitting reform, it is immensely exciting to know that steps are being made to reform this broken, antiquated process that shackles the great potential of our nation’s economic growth.

Cosponsoring the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act 

So many crucial and well-paying jobs across the country, and especially right here in Arkansas, depend on workforce training or certification outside of a college degree.  However, 529 educational expense accounts can’t be used to pay for post-secondary training programs like these, preventing Americans from accessing many key industries who are struggling to find the trained workforce they need. Last week, I had the privilege of signing on as a cosponsor to the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act. As a proud cosponsor of this bill in the last Congress, it was no question that it would have my full support once again in this new Congress. There is a great need for providing more Americans with the tools they need to obtain and retain well-paying jobs, outside of earning a college degree. This legislation works to expand eligibility for students to use their 529 savings accounts for workforce training and credential programs and provide tax-advantaged resources to families, students, and workers who are looking to grow in their career in ways outside of a traditional college degree.

Ensuring Your ID is Real ID Compliant

In order to combat terrorism, identity fraud, and any other bad actors who may threaten our national security, the Department of Homeland Security has issued an initiative to improve the security of state-issued driver’s licenses and other government ID cards. For those of you who regularly travel domestically by plane, or have a cross-country trip planned for the summer and already have your flight booked, you’ll want to know about this deadline for obtaining a Real ID!

Starting on May 7, you must have a Real ID-compliant drivers’ license or government ID in order to fly domestically within the U.S. State issued driver’s licenses that are not Real ID compliant will not be accepted. The good news is, if you have updated your license within the past few years, it is likely already compliant. A good way to check is to see if there is a star on the top right corner of your identification card.

Learn more information about Real ID here.

Tax Filing Extension for Arkansas

Tax day is annually on April 15, but due to the devastation Arkansans experienced from the spring storms that rolled in last week, the IRS has granted an automatic extension for all Arkansas residents who have yet to file their taxes. 

Arkansans who are struggling in the aftermath of the storm to rebuild their homes, replace lost items, and reset to face the future, should not and will not have to deal with the burdensome task of filing their taxes by the traditional deadline.

This exemption is extended to November 3 and will apply to: 

• Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
• 2024 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers.
• Quarterly estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, June 16 and Sept. 15, 2025.
• Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on April 30, July 31 and Oct. 31, 2025.
• Calendar-year corporation and fiduciary returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
• Calendar-year tax-exempt organization returns normally due on May 15, 2025. 

Learn more about this extension at the link here. 

District Office Hours

Throughout the month of April, my staff will be hosting special office hours across Arkansas’ Fourth Congressional District. If you are experiencing a problem with a federal agency specific to Social Security, Medicare, IRS, USCIS, and passports, I hope you will come meet with a field representative from my office at an event in your area.

Please mark your calendars for my upcoming mobile offices next week! 

For casework specifically related to Social Security, Medicare, IRS, USCIS, and passports, the following date and location is available next week: 

El Dorado 

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

April 22, 2025 

101 N. Washington Ave. Suite 406, El Dorado, AR  

Happy Easter Weekend!

Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful Easter weekend as we look with anticipation toward Resurrection Sunday!