WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman—today sent a letter to President Obama supporting Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson's request for a federal disaster declaration for 33 Arkansas counties following severe storms and flooding. The following is full text of the delegation's letter: We are writing in support of Governor Asa Hutchinson's request for a major... Read More

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford and Bruce Westerman, today announced that five Arkansas airports will receive over $1.8 million from the Department of Transportation to support facility upgrades and expansions. "These airports are important to growth and development in Arkansas communities. Upgrades to these facilities will better serve the economic needs of our state," Boozman said. "Local airports play a critical role in... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) returned Sunday from a trip to Ukraine and Slovakia led by Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In Ukraine, the delegation observed the Russian invasion first-hand during a visit to Eastern Command and a tour of the Dnipro-1 Territorial Defense Battalion. They met with soldiers who had recently returned from fighting, toured an NGO raising funds to support the Ukrainian troops, and... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on passage of Trade Promotion Authority: "Trade Promotion Authority is a win for our state economy. Expedited consideration of trade agreements will yield greater access to world markets for products produced or grown in Arkansas. Our exports will grow exponentially, resulting in both higher revenues and more jobs for the Natural State. This legislation also contains important safeguards... Read More

Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement in response to reports that the United States is sharing a military base with Iranian forces in Iraq: "When I was a soldier fighting in Iraq, Iran supplied the most advanced, most lethal roadside bombs used against coalition forces. Many American soldiers lost their lives to Iran's proxies and Iranian-supplied bombs. Further, Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and has been attacking the United... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act: "For the last several years Congress has been derelict in one of its most important duties: providing for a common defense. But the policy agenda set forth in this bill signals the tides are shifting. The additional funding provided by the Overseas Contingency Operation fund rolls back the constraints on our military put in place by... Read More

  WASHINGTON  - U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) — along with Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-01), French Hill (AR-02), Steve Womack (AR-03) and Bruce Westerman (AR-04)—today requested that the Department of Energy (DOE) extend the comment period for the need and feasibility review of the Plains & Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project. In a letter to Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, the members request a minimum of 60... Read More

Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on President Obama's remarks on ISIS at the G7 Conference: "President Obama has long been in denial about ISIS, but his comments today indicate an alarming attitude toward this threat to our national security. Over the last year ISIS has expanded its reach and killed innocent Americans. After months of inaction, President Obama finally committed troops-including putting our pilots and planes into harms... Read More

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman—today announced that 11 Arkansas airports have been awarded more than $6.5 million from the Department of Transportation to support facility upgrades and expansions.  "Transportation infrastructure is vital for local commerce and private sector job growth," Boozman said. "Arkansas will benefit from these airport improvements... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced the "Cuban Military Transparency Act," bipartisan legislation that would ensure any increase in resources to Cuba reach the Cuban people by prohibiting financial transactions with the Castro regime's military and security services. The bill's co-sponsors include: Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Cory Gardner (R-CO), David Vitter... Read More

Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the USA FREEDOM Act: "Congress should have reauthorized the expiring provisions of the Patriot Act because they saved Americans lives and protected Americans rights. Instead, the so-called "FREEDOM Act" would replace an effective, Constitutional intelligence collection system with an untested hypothetical one. Worse, it returns us to a dangerous pre-9/11 mindset at a time when America is still at war with... Read More

 Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement after the Obama administration released its final WOTUS Rule: "The WOTUS rule released today is just further proof that the Obama administration has little regard for rural America-both as an important sector of the economy and as responsible stewards of the environment. These unprecedented new regulations will have a devastating impact on Arkansas. They further establish the EPA's ability to regulate... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement in observance of Memorial Day:  "On Memorial Day, we remember those brave Americans who gave what Lincoln called 'the last, full measure of devotion' defending our country.  John 15:13 says, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'  The Americans who died in our uniform laid down their lives for us, their fellow countrymen, so that... Read More

Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the passage of a short-term authorization of highway programs: "Early this morning, Congress took action to ensure Arkansas's infrastructure projects will remain fully-funded through the critical summer months. But this patch does little to actually resolve the serious infrastructure funding issues we face. Arkansans deserve the certainty of a long-term highway bill and I am committed to finding a... Read More

Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on passage of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015: "Trade Promotion Authority will allow the U.S. and Arkansas to increase our exports, grow our economy, and bring thousands of jobs to the Natural State. Specifically, this bill requires President Obama to seek greater market access for agricultural products-with a higher priority placed on crops like rice-which... Read More

  Washington, D.C.—Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the World Trade Organization's ruling against Country of Origin Labeling regulations:  "Today the World Trade Organization once again validated the concerns of agricultural producers across Arkansans and the country with current Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) regulations. Unless these regulations are reversed, Arkansas exports will soon face a 100 percent... Read More

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton along with Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-1) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded rural development grants to the communities of McCrory and Cotter for first responder vehicles and equipment. USDA has approved a loan for the city of Brinkley to make improvements to its existing wastewater treatment plant.     "These rural development funds will go a long way toward helping these... Read More

  Washington, D.C.—Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the death of Johnson County Reserve Deputy Sonny Smith: "Over the past week, the nation has paused to honor our law enforcement officers during National Police Week. And today flags across the country are flying at half-mast in memory of those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. But for Arkansans this day has new meaning, as we join together to mourn the death of Johnson County... Read More

Washington D.C.- U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton today helped introduce the Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act (ARENA), bipartisan legislation to ensure reliable and affordable energy, curb federal overreach and make job protection, creation and economy a priority. "The Obama climate plan is all pain and no gain. It raises costs and destroys jobs, but it doesn't truly impact the global climate. That's according to the EPA's own estimates. This bipartisan bill will... Read More

  Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton along with Congressman Bruce Westerman today announced that Fauxsee Innovations—a Magnolia, Arkansas-based small business—has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its efforts to facilitate safe and efficient rural transportation for the blind. Fauxsee Innovations is an assistive device company that has committed its time and resources to bringing technology to the people... Read More