This is the Dec. 10, 2023 episode of "Arkies in the Beltway," the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's podcast on national politics. The following is the original description of the episode:

The National Association of Christian Lawmakers held its annual meeting and awards gala last week at the Museum of the Bible in Washington.

The Conway-based organization focuses on uniting local, state and federal lawmakers on policies addressing issues through a Biblical worldview.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., received the organization's American Patriot Award for Christian Honor and Courage during Tuesday's awards ceremony, but reporters were told to leave before Johnson addressed attendees.

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U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is among the congressional Republicans urging the White House and Democrat lawmakers to do more to address immigration and security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The matter of border security is a sticking point in Congress' efforts to pass a sweeping security package before legislators begin their holiday recess.

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Cotton and Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., have introduced legislation to ban the sale of unwashed poppy seeds.

The Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act honors Stephen Hacala, a 24-year-old Fayetteville man who died in April 2016 after consuming tea contaminated with unwashed poppy seeds.

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Womack, of Rogers, extended his streak of the most consecutive votes by an active member of the House of Representatives.

The congressman reached 8,000 successive votes last week, yet he acknowledged to the Democrat-Gazette that he doesn't spend much time thinking about the record.

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Thank you for checking out this week's episode of "Arkies in the Beltway!" Stay up to date with all Arkansas news at arkansasonline.com. You can get in touch with me on social media; my handle on all platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.

"Arkies in the Beltway," Dec. 10, 2023

Tonight's broadcast open with a brief tribute to Woody Durham #heywoody

Journalist with multimedia experience | Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | Previously: West Virginia MetroNews in Charleston, W.Va. and Carolina Connection in Chapel Hill, N.C. | Alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Eagle Scout

"Arkies in the Beltway," Dec. 10, 2023

Alex Thomas

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