WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton along with Congressman Steve Womack today announced that the Fort Smith Regional Airport will receive nearly $592,000 in grant money from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to be used for fire fighting equipment.  The $591,785 grant will be used to purchase a new 1,500 gallon Index B Aircraft Rescue and Fighting (ARFF) vehicle and four fire protection suits to assist the airport in meeting safety requirements. "This... Read More

  Washington, D.C.—Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement after supporting a resolution calling on Iran to release American hostages: "Iran's human rights abuses know no end. They are unjustly detaining several Americans, including a Christian pastor, a journalist, and a decorated Marine, purely because of their citizenship. We must stand up for these individuals and demand their freedom. President Obama should make no accommodation for Iran until... Read More

Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act:  "A nuclear-arms agreement with any adversary—especially the terror-sponsoring, Islamist Iranian regime—should be submitted as a treaty and obtain a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate as required by the Constitution.  President Obama wants to reverse this rule, requiring opponents to get a two-thirds vote to stop his dangerous deal.... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R- W.Va.) today in introducing legislation to help preserve senior citizens' access to the prescription drugs and important healthcare services provided by community pharmacies.  The bill, Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act, S. 1190, is also co-sponsored by Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The Ensuring Seniors Access to Local... Read More

Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today released the following statement on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's final designation of critical habitats for two Arkansas mussels:  "I am pleased that the Fish and Wildlife Service reduced the scope of their proposed Critical Habitat listings for these two species. But I am disappointed they still failed to consider the full cost the listings of these species has on Arkansans. Instead, they assert the cost of... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today made the following statement in response to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's comments about lifting sanctions: "President Obama promised sanctions would only be lifted when Iran's compliance with restrictions on their nuclear program were verified. But earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif once again contradicted the President's interpretation saying: If we have an agreement on the 30th of June, within... Read More

  WASHINGTON -U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Second District Representative French Hill, today announced that the Army has determined that two servicemembers attacked outside of a Little Rock Army recruiting center in 2009 will be awarded the Purple Heart.  Private William Long of Conway was killed and Private Quinton Ezeagwula of Jacksonville was wounded when a terrorist opened fire on the recruiting center on June 1, 2009. "I am pleased that Private Long... Read More

Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement in response to President Obama's decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism: "President Obama's decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism is just the latest and most egregious in a long line of concessions he has made to the Castro brothers. But rather than strengthen our hand, these concessions have only tightened... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) last night hosted a tele town hall meeting with constituents. More than 26,000 Arkansans listened-in as Senator Cotton fielded questions and spoke about some of his efforts to protect Arkansans from government overreach. One of the most popular topics was President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran.  "The President is not acting in the best interest of America's national security," Senator Cotton... Read More

  Washington, D.C.—Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2): "Today the Senate passed legislation to ensure fair compensation for doctors who provide important care to Medicare patients. During debate, I offered an amendment that would provide a greater level of certainty to doctors. While my amendment wasn't included in the final bill, I remain committed to providing doctors with the... Read More

  WASHINGTON --Arkansas Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Fourth District Congressman Bruce Westerman, today announced a $3.2 million grant for Families and Children Together, Inc. to provide comprehensive early childhood and preschool services to children and families in Calhoun, Columbia, Dallas, Ouachita and Union Counties. "This investment in education will provide South Arkansas children with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. Fostering education... Read More

  Washington, D.C.—Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the announcement of a nuclear deal with Iran: "There is no nuclear deal or framework with Iran; there is only a list of dangerous U.S. concessions that will put Iran on the path to nuclear weapons.  Iran will keep a stockpile of enriched uranium and thousands of centrifuges—including centrifuges at a fortified, underground military bunker at Fordow.  Iran will also... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the death of former Arkansas Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt: "Today, I join all Arkansans in mourning the death of former Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt. A proud son of Harrison, John Paul was a decorated World War II pilot who represented Arkansas in Congress for 26 years.  His contributions to Arkansas's infrastructure system were invaluable and his legacy lives on in... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the State Department's decision to extend the nuclear negotiations with Iran yet again: "The decision to extend the nuclear negotiations in the face of Iranian intransigence and duplicity proves once again that Iran is calling the shots. Just weeks ago President Obama said 'I don't see a further extension being useful.'  And today the State Department admitted that 'there are several... Read More

  Washington, D.C.—Senator Tom Cotton today released the following statement on the Senate's passage of a budget resolution: "Today the Senate passed a balanced budget that rightly reins in federal spending and eliminates waste. I was pleased the final resolution included two amendments I offered that are particularly important to Arkansas. The first amendment will improve prevention and treatment measures to better mitigate the impact of virus outbreaks, such as the avian flu, on... Read More

  WASHINGTON - Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) have filed an amendment (#822) to the Senate Budget Resolution (S.Con.Res. 11) to improve prevention and treatment measures that would mitigate the impact of virus outbreaks, such as the avian flu, on agriculture and the economy. These outbreaks can affect our country's food supply chain and the millions of people who work in the American agriculture industry. The bipartisan... Read More

  WASHINGTON -Arkansas's U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton along with Second District Congressman French Hill applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) land transfer of 30 acres in North Little Rock to the State of Arkansas for the construction of a veterans home. "What better way to honor our veterans for their service to our country than with a place to call home. This is a fitting tribute to the sacrifice and commitment of our veterans that will provide them... Read More

  WASHINGTON --Arkansas Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Fourth District Congressman Bruce Westerman, today announced three United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants that will help Franklin and Yell counties purchase emergency response equipment. Franklin County will receive $50,000 to go toward the purchase of a new ambulance to replace the ten-year old model currently in use. The city of Ola in Yell County will receive $50,000 to help fund the purchase of... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) tonight issued the following statement after the Senate voted 99-0 for his amendment affirming U.S. policy to prevent unfair, discriminatory action against Israel by the United Nations: "Tonight, the Senate reaffirmed what so many already knew: the alliance between the United States and Israel is so strong because it's an alliance between the American people and the Israeli people. And the Senate unanimously affirmed that... Read More

  Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement in response to reports that President Obama won't meet with the new head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, during his visit to Washington, D.C. this week: "NATO invoked Article 5 following the attacks of September 11th for the first time in the history of the alliance. And our friends in NATO have continued to stand by our side in the fight... Read More