As President Biden issued harsh new sanctions against Russia Thursday for its invasion of Ukraine, Rep. Steve Womack told Axios the administration didn't go far enough.

Context: Because Europe relies on Russia for about 40% of its natural gas supplies, some NATO countries may be hesitant to cut the country out of SWIFT, a sort of central nervous system for international financial transactions.

• Biden should have said the U.S. would produce more oil and gas at home for export to the European market, reducing its dependence on Russia, Womack said.

"America has abundant supplies of energy, we could be a major supplier for our friends in that area of the world. It could help us, and it could help them," Womack told Axios.

The big picture: It's too early to tell how Arkansas will be impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The state's exports to Russia don't even rank in federal economic data, and there's no indication military stationed here will be deployed.

• Tyson Foods told Axios that Russia and Ukraine are not significant export markets.

Yes, but: We know that prices for oil and wheat will likely rise across the country, as Sen. Tom Cotton told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette before the invasion.

What's next: Womack hopes the invasion doesn't turn into prolonged combat, and he doesn't support — at least now — U.S. troops getting directly involved in a war.

• "I am praying that the limit of what Putin will do will be just to replace the government there with his own puppet government and pull the heck out of there," Womack said.

Of note: Denise Thomas, CEO of Arkansas World Trade Center, told Axios that a webinar with former U.S. ambassadors to foreign countries to discuss potential Arkansas trade with Russia had been scheduled for this week. It was canceled due to icy road conditions.

• It will eventually be rescheduled.

Keep up to date on the latest development with Axios' Ukraine-Russia crisis dashboard.

Alex and Worth, here. Sometimes we get lunch together to talk about this newsletter.

• We recently ate at Mockingbird Kitchen in Fayetteville, which was a first-time visit for Alex.

The scene: Mockingbird is good for a casual lunch, even serving $12 light lunch combos. But it can get elevated fast with dinner entrees like Atlantic salmon or Ropa Vieja, tender braised beef cooked in a tomato, olive, caper and red wine sauce served over grits and topped with lemon.

Alex's verdict: The turkey melt with a kale caesar salad was the right choice. I cannot unlearn what the combination of melted brie and apricot butter with turkey tastes like. And I will definitely be back to try brunch.

Worth's verdict: The half club sandwich and a house salad combo was a perfect lunch. Ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a "secret sauce" (an aioli) on house focaccia make the sandwich hearty without being heavy.

• Mockingbird uses meat instead of deli slices, so it's like a homemade sandwich you might make with awesome leftovers — but wildly better than I'd make for myself.
• Heads up: The pickles served on the side are the real deal. Sour to the max, so tread lightly.

Where and when: Mockingbird is open 11am–2pm and 5–8pm Wednesday and Thursday, 11am–2pm and 5–9pm Friday, 10am–2pm and 5–8pm Saturday and 10am–2pm Sunday at 1466 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas is continuing to push back against the newly drawn Arkansas state House map.

Why it matters: The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, criticizes the map as taking away voting power from Black voters.

What's happening: The ACLU is appealing a Feb. 17 decision that dismissed a challenge to the map, the organization announced this week. The ruling stated that private parties, including plaintiffs of this case, cannot sue to protect their voting rights.

Context: The state lost one majority Black district from the 2011 House map even though the Black population in Arkansas grew by about 30,000 people in the past decade. During that same time, the state's white population decreased about 110,000, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

⏰ Count down to your new career by checking out our Local Job Board.

1. Sales Manager at TQL.
2. Lead Design Researcher at Walmart Global Technology.
3. Data Analyst at Axios.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

JJ's Live — Flatland Cavalry, a country, Americana band. 7pm tonight. Get tickets for $20.

The Momentary — electronic and techno music by Daedelus with Russell E.L. Butler and DJ Afrosia. 8pm Saturday. Get $25 tickets.

George's Majestic Lounge — Aaron Kamm & the One Drops at 9pm tonight. Get $12 tickets. Funk Factory at 8:30pm Saturday. Get $15 tickets.

👋 Worth here. How did I not know that the voice of Squidward Tentacles, the ever-gloomy and reluctant friend of SpongeBob Squarepants, is from Arkansas?

The intrigue: Squidward is voiced by actor Rodger Bumpass, who grew up in Little Rock and attended Central High School.

• In Senate Bill 25 introduced by Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) this week, the chamber recognized Bumpass' accomplishments.

Yes, and: In the cartoon, Squidward is a jazz-loving, clarinet-playing contemporary trope of Eeyore. He's a snarky, comedic straight man who's an easy target.

• You can see how Bumpass responded to the legislative recognition on journalist Ashley Godwin's Twitter feed.