Washington, D.C. – Arkansas Republican Senator John Boozman announced that Rosie Heiss will assume the role of chief of staff for his office at the start of the 120th Congress. Heiss succeeds Toni‑Marie Higgins, who is departing after serving as the senator’s top aide.

Heiss brings deep defense and appropriations experience

In a statement, Senator Boozman praised Heiss’s background, noting she first served as a key advisor on national security and veterans policy before returning to lead the senator’s entire legislative staff. He highlighted her work on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which channels critical federal investments to Arkansas, calling her “admirably dedicated” and “invaluable” to the state’s interests.

Heiss’s résumé includes active‑duty service in the U.S. Air Force during the Global War on Terror, with deployments in support of operations in Iraq. After her military service, she held civilian positions with the U.S. Navy and the National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency. She later served as Boozman’s senior defense adviser and as a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Defense.

Recent roles on Boozman’s team

Heiss rejoined the senator’s office in January 2025 as legislative director and deputy chief of staff, overseeing the legislative agenda and coordinating the staff’s work on defense and appropriations matters. Her father, a native of Carlisle, Arkansas, also served in the Air Force, and both of her parents are alumni of the University of Arkansas.

“I am honored to serve in this new capacity for Senator Boozman and the team, as well as incredibly grateful that I get to keep serving Arkansans,” Heiss said. “The senator always tells us to use the power of the office for good, and that will continue to be my favorite part of this new job.”

Implications for Arkansas

The appointment signals continuity in Boozman’s focus on defense, veterans affairs, and securing federal funding for Arkansas projects. With Heiss’s background in appropriations, the senator’s office is positioned to advocate effectively for infrastructure, education, and economic development initiatives that benefit the Natural State.

Stakeholders, including local business leaders and veterans groups, have expressed optimism that Heiss’s experience will help advance Arkansas’s priorities in Washington.

Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.