GENTRY — U.S. Representative Steve Womack, Republican representing Arkansas' Third District, visited with constituents in Gentry on Monday, holding one of his Coffee with the Congressman events in the McKee Community Room at the Gentry Public Library and then going on to visit other sites in Gentry, including the Gentry High Conversion Charter School.
Before fielding questions from the 20-plus area residents in attendance, Womack said he could answer the questions of many there without even being asked because of a common thread at similar meetings with his constituents. He said a simple civics lesson could answer many questions related to the inability of the Republicans in Congress to be effective in stopping many of the actions of the current president or to legislate on issues important to most Arkansans.
Womack explained that, even though the Republicans have a majority in both the House and the Senate, the Senate numbers (54 Republicans) are not enough to bring matters to the Senate floor for a vote.
Even if all 54 Republican Senators were to support a measure, it still takes 60 votes to stop a filibuster and bring legislation to the Senate floor for an up or down vote, Womack said. And then, if the president vetoes a bill, it takes two-thirds of the members of both the House and the Senate to override the veto.
Womack spoke of the 60 or so times he has voted to repeal all or part of the Affordable Care Act, known as Obama Care, but the measure was not able to get through the Senate or did not have sufficient support to get the two-thirds vote necessary to override a presidential veto.
He mentioned as an example, the bill which was passed to allow the Keystone Pipeline, which was then vetoed by President Obama. There was not sufficient support to override the veto.
"We can't change law without a different person in the White House," Womack said, explaining that was the only way Congress would be able to pass the laws most Arkansans want.
Womack said that, while the Republicans have had little success in Congress, they have had some success blocking a few of Obama's orders and actions through lawsuits, in the courts.
For those who were unable to attend or with questions or issues, Womack's mobile office will be at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce office, 212 East Main Street, in Gentry, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. Aides to Womack will be available to address needs and concerns.
General News on 10/19/2016