Steve Womack is the definition of an "Institutionalist" in a chaotic House. A retired Army National Guard Colonel with 30 years of service, Womack brings a military discipline to Congress, often serving as the "voice of reason" within the GOP conference. He famously presided over the House floor during some of its most raucous moments because leadership trusted him to maintain order.
He represents Arkansas’ 3rd District, arguably the most economically dynamic district in the South. Located in Northwest Arkansas (NWA), it is the global headquarters of Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport. This concentration of corporate giants makes Womack the representative for "Vendorville"—the ecosystem of thousands of suppliers who do business with these titans.
A senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Womack is a "Cardinal" (a subcommittee chair/ranking member) who wields immense influence over federal spending. He currently leads the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) subcommittee, a critical role for his district, which is facing a massive infrastructure crunch due to explosive population growth.
Womack is a staunch defender of the University of Arkansas (located in Fayetteville). As the representative for the Razorbacks, he focuses heavily on securing federal research grants for the university, particularly in agriculture and logistics.
He is the Chairman of the Board of Visitors for the United States Military Academy at West Point, a prestigious role that underscores his deep ties to the defense establishment and his focus on shaping the next generation of military leadership.
"He represents the headquarters of Walmart and the University of Arkansas. Steve Womack is the Colonel who controls the checkbook for the nation's infrastructure."
Steve Womack: The Colonel in the Chaos
In a Congress defined by performative outrage, Steve Womack is the guy trying to make the trains run on time. Before coming to Washington in 2010, Womack served for 12 years as the Mayor of Rogers, Arkansas, overseeing its transformation from a sleepy town into a booming suburban hub for the retail industry. Before that, and during it, he wore the uniform. Womack spent over three decades in the Arkansas Army National Guard, retiring as a Colonel. He commanded a battalion in the Sinai Peninsula shortly after 9/11. That command experience defines his political style: orderly, hierarchical, and focused on the mission rather than the noise.
Womack’s influence comes from his seat on the Appropriations Committee. He is an "Old Bull" in the making, believing that the primary job of Congress is to pass a budget and keep the government open. He has been openly critical of the "shutdown politics" favored by the Freedom Caucus, arguing that continuing resolutions (CRs) destroy military readiness. During the chaotic Speaker battles of 2023, Womack was a vocal supporter of Steve Scalise and a critic of the dysfunction, famously telling reporters, "We look like a bunch of idiots."
His legislative portfolio is dominated by the unique needs of his district. Northwest Arkansas is growing faster than almost anywhere in the country. To support this, Womack uses his gavel on the Transportation Subcommittee to funnel money into the region's highways (like I-49) and regional airport (XNA). He views infrastructure not as "pork," but as essential investment for the supply chain capital of the world.
Womack also carries a heavy focus on defense. beyond his role at West Point, he fights to modernize the National Guard, arguing that the "weekend warrior" model is outdated and that Guard units need the same equipment as active-duty troops if they are going to be deployed to combat zones.
District Context: Arkansas 3rd (U.S. Census Data)
The Miracle of NWA: This district is physically beautiful (Ozark Mountains) and economically ex...
