During his tenure as Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo warned governors and state legislators not to be fooled by China who sees the state officials as the “weak” link in our national security. Despite such clear warnings, many Arkansas state senators and house members continue to vote to keep an office in China.
On Wednesday, March 17th, the Arkansas House of Representatives- Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee failed to even take a vote on SB252, filed by Senator Trent Garner (R – El Dorado) which would force closure of the current Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) China office.
If passed, this bill would make a firm statement from the Arkansas Legislature:
We do not support what China has done and what China continues to do!
Getting it to this point, Senator Garner has fought an uphill battle against AEDC, Farm Bureau, and the Governor’s office. The bill finally passed in the Senate with the slimmest of margins, with opposition in committee and on the Senate floor.
Many individuals involved in various aspects of agriculture throughout the state agree: They do not support China and are concerned with the threat China represents throughout the world. They would rather defund the office in China than support genocide, even with the opposition of the Governor. The farmers and ranchers of the state called the lack of support for this bill “Treason” and demand its passage.
***
Voting History
Senate Committees and Floor Vote on March 10:
On the bill’s initial run in Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee, the opposition was appalling. It received “NO” votes from four of the eight members, Senators Cecile Bledsoe (R), Jane English (R), Breanne Davis (R), and Clark Tucker (D). Upon its re-run in the Senate committee, it passed, but just barely
On March 10th, 2021, SB252 was on the Senate floor, with strong opposition. Detractors said this does nothing to hurt China and only hurts Arkansas businesses, yet there was no real information to back up that claim. AEDC’s office in China has not been operational in over a year, yet Arkansas businesses have continued to function internationally, supporting Garner’s claim that we do not need a China presence to operate.
Senate Floor Vote on March 10:
Yea (19)
Nay (8)
Non Voting (Same as voting Nay) (4)
Present (Same as voting Nay) (4)
House Committee on March 17:
On Wednesday March 17th, the Arkansas House of Representatives Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development Committee heard this bill as presented by Senator Garner. With opposition from Farm Bureau and a heavy lobbying effort over the weekend, this bill did not even see a vote. With outrage from farmer’s and rancher’s, there is still a ray of hope for the passage of this bill.
With the verbal support of the bill by Rep. Vaught, Chairperson of the House Agriculture Committee, this bill can be brought back for a vote.
To read three separate warnings to state legislators about China by Secretary Mike Pompeo, see:
Sept 23, 2020- Warns of China Influence in State, Local Governments
https://www.fox6now.com/news/sec-pompeo-warns-of-china-influence-in-state-local-governments
February 8, 2020 – Warning Governors About China
Video of Speech to Governors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1BbswU3i10
October 30, 2019 – China Demanding Companies Self-Sensor & They are “Working You!”
https://py.usembassy.gov/speech-of-secretary-of-state-michael-r-pompeo-the-china-challenge/
If you support this bill and want to close the Arkansas taxpayer funded China office, please let your Representative know you demand his or her “yes” vote on SB252.
House Agriculture Committee members:
Chair-Representative DeAnn Vaught
Vice-Chair-Representative Roger D. Lynch
Representative Stan Berry
Representative Ken Bragg
Representative Harlan Breaux
Representative Bruce Coleman
Representative Cameron Cooper
Representative Les Eaves
Representative Denise Jones Ennett
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Representative Jack Fortner
Representative David Hillman
Representative Steve Hollowell
Representative Joe Jett
Representative Stephen Magie
Representative Ron McNair
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Representative Brandt Smith
Representative Carlton Wing
Representative Richard Womack
- Tyler Beaver is a Conduit News contributor, The Daily Caller and The Washington Times Op-Ed Contributor, U.S. Air Force veteran and co-founder of The Red Pill Project, a non-profit for legal defense of civil liberties. He is the creator of Open Range, which brings agricultural producers together with global markets and facilitates protein, grain, and crop sourcing.
