Blanche Lincoln

Statement of the Honorable Blanche L. Lincoln, Chairman, Hearing on Child Nutrition Reauthorization

November 17, 2009 -- As prepared for delivery:

“Good morning and welcome to the Senate Agriculture Committee, where today we will continue a series of hearings begun by my predecessor, Senator Tom Harkin, in anticipation of the reauthorization of federal child nutrition programs. We are honored today to be joined by two distinguished panels of witnesses, including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and a panel of experts from Arkansas.    » read more »

Arkansas Now Ranked as Having Third Highest Rate of Hunger in the U.S.

November 16, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, issued the following statement today in response to the release of the United States Department of Agriculture’s 2008 Food Security Report.

The report showed that 14.6 percent of U.S. households struggled to provide enough food to feed their families during certain times of the year in 2008, a significant increase over the rate of 11.1 percent in 2007. This is an increase of nearly 13 million individuals over just a one year period, from 36.2 million in 2007 to 49.1 million in 2008.    » read more »

October 30, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that the Senate and House have passed the Conference Report for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010, containing more than $4.36 million in water infrastructure priorities for Arkansas.

The annual spending bill funds the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other related agencies.

Pryor and Berry are members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, respectively. Their presence on these committees allows them the opportunity to shape the legislation during the legislative process.    » read more »

October 29, 2009 -- Washington -- The Honorable Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today issued the following statement on China’s agreement to re-open the Chinese market to United States pork and live swine, consistent with science-based international standards.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the agreement at the conclusion of meetings with Chinese officials at the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.    » read more »

Funding Provided By The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

October 27, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln and U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) today announced that Woodruff Electric, in Forrest City, Arkansas will receive $2,357,520 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funding will be used to install smart meters for more than 13,000 electric cooperative customers that will provide time-of-use data, help monitor demand, and reduce outages.    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that Arkansas will receive $2,081,238 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications & Information Administration to increase broadband access and adoption through better data collection and broadband planning. The funds are allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Broadband Data Improvement Act.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that the Senate and House have approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development legislation, which contains funding for Arkansas priorities.

“These investments significantly contribute to the economic development and business growth of communities throughout Arkansas,” said Lincoln. “I am pleased that this legislation will enhance navigation, flood control and water quality in our state, as well as provide support for the innovative alternative energy research being conducted at our universities.”    » read more »

Lincoln: “In the final analysis, I will vote for or against the final version of health insurance reform on the floor based on what is best for Arkansas.”

October 13, 2009 -- Washington – Citing an unsustainable status quo in health care, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) today voted to move the Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform proposal forward after twenty-two months of work crafting a deficit-neutral bill that lowers costs over the long run.

While noting the historic moment, Lincoln stated that today is just one step in the process to enact common-sense reforms that will benefit Arkansas’s families and small businesses and stipulated that her ultimate support of a final health care reform bill will depend on how it benefits Arkansans.    » read more »

Funding Provided by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) today announced that Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority (OMRPWA) will receive $55,728,000 in grant and loan funding from the United States Department of Agriculture through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The funding will be used to address and prevent water shortages and supply a safe and reliable source of water for 22,000 local residents.    » read more »

Funding Provided By The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

October 6, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln and U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) today announced that Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority (OMRPWA) will receive $55,728,000 in grant and loan funding from the United States Department of Agriculture through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funding will be used to address and prevent water shortages and supply a safe and reliable source of water for 22,000 local residents.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor today announced that the Senate has approved the Department of Defense Appropriations Act 2010, which includes funding for several priorities critical to Arkansas’s military installations, research institutions, and defense contractors.

“A strong national defense requires the best military training, equipment, and technology,” said Lincoln. “I have continually fought for provisions that will strengthen our military and help us take better care of our brave men and women returning from battle. The state and local priorities included in this bill will boost our state’s economy and allow Arkansans to continue to play a critical role in strengthening the U.S. military.”    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- Washington – Citing the right of Arkansans to know in advance what health care changes that Senators will be voting on later this month, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) today led a group of Democratic Senators in pressuring Senate leaders for greater transparency in the health insurance reform debate.

“Over the past few months, I have heard from many Arkansans who are frustrated and lack accurate information on the emerging health care proposals in Congress,” Lincoln said. “In response to their requests, today, I am unveiling my plan for greater transparency as health insurance reform legislation moves to the Senate floor.”    » read more »

Lincoln provision cuts level of health insurance exec compensation subsidized by taxpayers

October 2, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln today announced that the Senate Finance Committee has approved her amendment to reduce taxpayer subsidies to insurance companies for extravagant executive benefits.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln and U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) today announced that Northeast Arkansas will receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The funds will be used to help with repairs and clean-up from the January ice storm and are allocated as follows:

City of Blytheville, $2,050,289
Clay County Electric Cooperative Corporation, $21,727,435
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc., $5,300,446
Paragould Light and Water Commission, $2,255,874
Mississippi County Electric Cooperative, $5,824,913
Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation, $13,598,307    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln has been recognized by the Delta Council for her “Outstanding Contributions to Aquaculture.” She is the first member of Congress to receive the award, which she accepted during the 74th annual Delta Council meeting held earlier this month. Lincoln also served as keynote speaker at the event.    » read more »