Arkansas lost a political legend today when former Congressman Ray Thornton passed away at the age of 87. Ray Thornton grew up in Sheridan the child of two teachers. Ray's intellect and quick wit was evident from an early age and he graduated high school at just 16 years old. He then headed off to the University of Arkansas, eventually winning the Navy Holloway Program Scholarship to attend Yale University. After college, Ray heeded what would be the first of several calls to serve his country... Read More

When Obama administration officials sold the president's nuclear deal last summer to the American people, they were clearly sensitive to charges that they gave too much away. They knew that giving Iran $100 billion dollars we could never get back in exchange for a mere temporary deal that expired in 10 to 15 years would be viewed with deep skepticism. They knew that an inspection system that gives the ayatollahs a 24-day heads-up before an inspection would not pass the laugh test. They knew that... Read More

Six months ago, a 12-year-old boy stood before a crowd in a Syrian village not far from Aleppo. This boy was a Christian, and standing above him were Islamic State terrorists holding knives. In the crowd was the boy's father, a Christian minister. Methodically, the terrorists began cutting off the young boy's fingers. Amidst his screams, they turned to the minister, his father. If he renounced his faith and, in their terms, "returned to Islam," the boy's suffering would stop. In the end, however... Read More

I grew up on a cattle farm in Dardanelle, where I started helping my dad around the farm when I was just a little boy. In fact, I was kicking hay bales off the truck when I was barely bigger than those hay bales. Growing up, most people I knew had some kind of connection to farming. And I'm proud to say that in Arkansas, that's still mostly the case today. In honor of National Agriculture Day, I want to say few words about Arkansas's agriculture and what it means to our state. Agriculture is... Read More

Last Thursday, the Democratic candidates for president had a debate. They made several extreme, irresponsible statements about immigration policy. I oppose their calls to reward mass illegal immigration with blanket amnesty, which would undermine the rule of law, cost Americans jobs, drive down wages for working Americans, and invite more illegal immigration. But what must President Obama think? After all, he has attempted to grant amnesty by fiat to over five million illegal immigrants, though... Read More

There is a vacancy on the Supreme Court. And this chamber and the American people must fully understand what is at stake in choosing the person to fill that vacancy. For a generation, Justice Nino Scalia was the conservative heart of the Supreme Court. His passing, therefore, has the potential to dramatically shift the delicate balance of the Court. Should Justice Scalia be replaced by a philosophically liberal Justice, the implications for the rights of Americans and the direction of our nation... Read More

Today, I want to discuss the Sentencing Reform & Corrections Act that has been voted out of the Judiciary Committee. There is much debate about the wisdom of this bill. That is, like most bills we discuss in this chamber, a judgment call. But there cannot be debate over the facts of this bill. We have to be very clear on what this bill, by its own text, is designed to do. Proponents of the bill often invoke four phrases to describe the felons to be released under the terms of the bill:... Read More

Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353 I'm proud to join my fellow Senator from Arkansas, Senator John Boozman, in recognizing Senator Dale Bumpers' service today, as well as our Majority Leader and many other Senators who are reminiscing about Senator Bumpers, who passed away earlier this month. Arkansas lost one of its most distinguished public servants, when Senator and Governor Dale Bumpers, died at the age of 90. As both a Governor and Senator, Senator Bumpers' tireless dedication to our... Read More

Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353 This past Saturday, January 9th, was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day-a day set aside to honor the men and women who work in law enforcement keeping our communities safe and enforcing the rule of law, which underpins any free and just society. Recently, we've heard a great deal about controversies and scrutiny surrounding law enforcement in many parts of our country. It's easy to be distracted by these stories, but it's important to remember that many are... Read More

Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353 Next month marks the anniversary of President Obama's vow to close the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. The president placed great importance on Guantanamo's closure. He chose this initiative-out of all the issues he faced as a new President-as the subject of his very first executive order-first of very, very many. He staged its signing in grand fashion in the Oval Office. And before the cameras, he spoke in solemn tones about the dire need... Read More

Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353 I'd like to respond to what I heard earlier this morning from the Democratic Leader, from the Assistant Democratic leader, what we heard from the President on Sunday night. The Democrats would have you believe that any person on a terrorist watch list can go into a federally licensed firearm dealer and buy a firearm, without any notice whatsoever. That is simply false. The background check system that federally licensed firearm dealers use includes a... Read More

Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353 Thank you very much for the kind introduction, and the warm welcome. It's always an honor to speak to the Federalist Society. Back when I was a student and a lawyer, I belonged to the Federalist Society because I believed in individual freedom, constitutional government, the rule of law, and the free-enterprise system. I hold to those beliefs firmly still today, even as a recovering lawyer. But I also have a less abstract, more personal affinity for you... Read More

Washington National CathedralAs prepared for delivery Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353 Thank you for that very warm welcome. Reverend Magness, thank you for the kind introduction. Dean Hall, thanks to you and all your team for organizing and hosting this prayer breakfast in honor of Veterans Day. I also want to thank Bob Coutts, who first encouraged me to speak today. Among Bob's many distinctions, he is father to Doug, my old battle buddy, then my campaign manager, and now my chief of... Read More

  Over the last year, I've learned a lot about the magic of human life—from conception to growth in the mother's womb to childbirth to newborn development..  This wasn't part of my legislative work or public duties. And my newfound knowledge didn't come from a course of study, reading scientific journals, or consulting with medical experts.  Instead, like many parents, I learned through experience, the blessing of my first child. My wife Anna gave birth to our very own... Read More

Statement on Human Rights in China Congressional-Executive Commission on China   I want to thank the witnesses not only for taking the time to testify today, but for the work you do to shine a light on the dire human rights situation in China.   Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in the United States next week.  His handlers clearly crafted his schedule to project a modern and dignified image of Xi's rule.  But I see no evidence of modernity or dignity.  I only see... Read More

  Good evening.  Thank you for the warm welcome and thank you for the honor of addressing you at this Constitution Day celebration.  I admire, and share, your veneration for our national charter. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't say the same about the gentleman who lives across the street.  In the last week, President Obama has moved ahead with a nuclear-arms control agreement with a mortal and unrepentant enemy with the support only of a rump, partisan minority in the... Read More

  Over the past five months, we've learned much about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the intentions of Iran's ayatollahs.  We know the nuclear deal will release billions of dollars to the terror-sponsoring Iranian regime.  We know Qasem Soleimani and other terrorists who have killed Americans will be relieved of international sanctions.  We know that side deals between the IAEA and Iran — side deals we've yet to see — may entrust the Iranian regime to... Read More

It is an honor to be here for the opening of this trade office, which marks a major step in the new sister relationship between the state of Arkansas and Dong Nai province of Vietnam.  It is our hope that this office will not only strengthen trade ties between Vietnam and Arkansas, but also the ties between Vietnam and the United States as a whole. The expansion in trade between our nations has been rapid and vigorous.  In 1991, when a bilateral trade agreement between our... Read More

It is an honor for me to be with you today. This room is full of men and women who have faced the evil of Communism directly, who have persevered in bleak times, and who understand that the triumph of liberty depends on the extraordinary bravery of ordinary people. Looking back over the last century, we see this brand of bravery where dictators at the time thought least to look. We saw it in a shipyard worker in Gdansk, who became a prisoner before he became a president. We saw it in a... Read More

Ending America's Retreat, Restoring America's Military Dominance Senator Tom Cotton (Remarks as Prepared for Delivery) I I speak today for the first time from the Senate floor with a simple message: the world is growing ever more dangerous, and our defense spending is wholly inadequate to confront the danger.  To be exact, "During the last four or five years the world has grown gravely darker.... We have steadily disarmed, partly with a sincere desire to give a lead to other countries, and... Read More