{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"AR\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-applauds-passage-of-amendment-providing-compensation-to-terrorism-victims", "Cotton Applauds Passage of Amendment Providing Compensation to Terrorism Victims", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 22, 2022\n\nCotton Applauds Passage of Amendment Providing Compensation to Terrorism Victims\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 The Senate passed today Senator Tom Cotton\u2019s (R-Arkansas) legislation that will extend financial compensation to American victims of terrorism and their families. Introduced with Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), the legislation will also extend coverage to victims of the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing and their families and increase the available funds to help satisfy their judgments.\n\n\u201cThe passage of this amendment will direct funding to the brave Americans who were the targets of brutal terrorist attacks. The victims of acts of terrorism like 9/11 and the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing cannot be compensated fully for their losses, but this legislation will help repay the debt of gratitude America owes them,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nVideo of Senator Cotton speaking on the amendment can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-cotton-boozman-pay-tribute-to-fallen-arkansas-law-enforcement-officers", "Cotton, Boozman Pay Tribute to Fallen Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 21, 2022\n\nCotton, Boozman Pay Tribute to Fallen Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers\n\nClick here to watch the remarks\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u2013\u2013 Arkansas U.S. Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman paid tribute on the Senate floor to the service and sacrifice of Benton County Sheriff\u2019s Detective Paul Newell, Stuttgart Police Sergeant Donald Scoby, and Jonesboro Police Officer Vincent Parks.\n\n\u201cAll of Arkansas mourns the loss of these brave men in uniform. Their courage and selflessness will not soon be forgotten. I pray that God will bring their families and loved ones the peace that comes from knowing their sacrifice was not in vain,\u201d Cotton said.\n\n\u201cThese individuals selflessly volunteer for this duty while accepting that the dangers of the job also put them in harm\u2019s way. It takes a special person to take on that responsibility, and that fact must never be lost on us,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/16/2022/cotton-statement-on-senate-passage-of-ndaa", "Cotton Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 16, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act:\n\n\u201cOur troops pledge their lives to the defense of the United States, and this bill gives them more support and funding to perform that important mission. It invests significantly more than President Biden called for, and it also excludes the worst aspects of the Democrats\u2019 social engineering plans, like forcing women into the draft, gender-based fitness tests for ground-combat jobs, and \u2018extremism\u2019 training. I\u2019m also pleased that this bill includes increased research and development for our nuclear defense, as well as for bolstering the munitions our military needs. While we must remain vigilant, America is now better prepared to ward off her enemies.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-stuttgart-officer-killed-in-line-of-duty", "Cotton Statement on Stuttgart Officer Killed in Line of Duty", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 15, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Stuttgart Officer Killed in Line of Duty\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after Stuttgart police officer Sergeant Donald Scoby was shot and killed in the line of duty Wednesday night:\n\n\u201cSergeant Donald Scoby died serving the community he loved and swore to protect\u2014there is no more noble end to life on this earth. May God grant Sergeant Scoby\u2019s family peace as all of Arkansas mourns his loss. We will not forget his service and bravery.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-van-hollen-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-cut-huawei-and-chinese-5g-companies-off-from-us-banks", "Cotton, Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Cut Huawei and Chinese 5G Companies off from U.S. Banks", "2022-12-13", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 13, 2022\n\nCotton, Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Cut Huawei and Chinese 5G Companies off from U.S. Banks\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced a bill with Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Rick Scott (R-Florida) to severely sanction Chinese technology company Huawei and other untrustworthy Chinese 5G producers who engage in economic espionage against the United States. This bill would add these entities to the Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, which would effectively freeze them from accessing the U.S. financial system. Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\nIn October, the Department of Justice charged two Chinese intelligence officials for collaborating with Huawei to obstruct the federal government\u2019s investigation of the company. The FBI also recently revealed that Huawei gear was found in cell towers near several U.S. nuclear missile bases and that signals from these towers could interfere with the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve made great strides in recent years at home and abroad in combatting Huawei\u2019s malign attempts to dominate 5G and steal Americans\u2019 data. However, the fight is not finished. Huawei is an arm of Chinese intelligence. We cannot allow Huawei and the Chinese Communist Party to have access to Americans\u2019 personal data and our country\u2019s most sensitive defense systems. We must address the dire threat these Chinese companies pose to our national security,\u201d saidSen. Cotton.\n\n\u201cForeign companies that spy on the U.S. and violate our laws should face severe consequences. Huawei is a repeat offender. This bipartisan bill will bolster our national defenses by further sanctioning Huawei and other similar bad actors seeking to undermine our security,\u201d saidSen. Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cI am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the NETWORKS Act which will implement strict sanctions on companies like Huawei that spy on Americans and put our national security at risk. I\u2019ve been very clear about the threat we face from technology companies controlled by Communist China and other enemies that are known for espionage and theft of American technology. For too long, the United States has allowed one of our biggest adversaries into the most sensitive areas of our lives, but that must end. We must pass the NETWORKS Act immediately and hold these companies accountable,\u201d said Sen. Scott.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-brittney-griner-prisoner-swap", "Cotton Statement on Brittney Griner Prisoner Swap", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 8, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Brittney Griner Prisoner Swap\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the prisoner swap with Russia:\n\n\u201cJoe Biden\u2019s prisoner swap with Vladimir Putin released Viktor Bout, the notorious \u2018Merchant of Death\u2019 who armed America\u2019s worst enemies. And it left behind Paul Whelan, a Marine veteran who\u2019s languishing in a Russian jail cell on trumped-up charges. Americans welcome the release of Brittney Griner, but it shouldn\u2019t have come at the cost of releasing one of the world\u2019s worst arms dealers and creating a dangerous precedent for our enemies: detain Americans and Democrats will agree to set your worst killers free.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-legislation-to-overturn-biden-esg-retirement-savings-rule", "Cotton Introduces Legislation to Overturn Biden ESG Retirement Savings Rule", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 1, 2022\n\nCotton Introduces Legislation to Overturn Biden ESG Retirement Savings Rule\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced legislation today that would overturn the Biden administration\u2019s new rule allowing retirement plans to prioritize ESG factors like climate change and racial justice over maximizing shareholder value. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cRetirement plans should prioritize investments with the highest return, not ESG scams,\u201d saidSen. Cotton.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-urge-president-biden-to-block-chinese-data-sharing-platform", "Cotton, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Block Chinese Data-Sharing Platform", "2022-11-30", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 30, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Block Chinese Data-Sharing Platform\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-48) today sent a letter to President Biden warning of the danger that a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controlled maritime data-sharing platform, LOGINK, poses to U.S. military and commercial interests. The letter detailed how the CCP could use the sensitive data LOGINK collects to increase its insight and influence over international maritime trade, port infrastructure, and possibly even U.S. military activities. The letter also asks the president to describe efforts his administration has taken thus far to counter LOGINK.\n\nIn part, the members wrote:\n\n\u201cThe CCP could exploit their control over LOGINK to identify early trends in the movement of U.S. military supplies and equipment through commercial ports while denying other countries the same data on Chinese military assets. The CCP could gain valuable intelligence regarding U.S. supply chains and use this knowledge to imperil our supply of critical resources. The CCP can also capitalize on LOGINK data to confer commercial advantages to Chinese firms and skew the marketplace away from U.S. firms.\u201d\n\nSenators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), as well as Representatives Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Brian Babin (TX-36), Ben Cline (VA-06), Eric \u201cRick\u201d Crawford (AR-01), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Carlos Gimenez (FL-26), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Lisa McClain (MI-10), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), (Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Austin Scott (GA-08), Gregory Steube (FL-17), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Ann Wagner (MO-02), and Randy Weber (TX-14) joined the letter.\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nNovember 30, 2022\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write to urge you to take action to halt the spread of LOGINK, a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controlled digital platform for maritime data-sharing.\n\nThe LOGINK logistics platform, which first spread outside of China in 2010, is both subsidized and promoted by the Chinese Ministry of Transport. It is now used by over 20 global ports and has the potential to collect massive amounts of sensitive business and foreign government data, such as corporate registries and vessel and cargo data. Most notably, many ports in South Korea and Japan, the hubs of the U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific, are already tied to a network linked with LOGINK. LOGINK is also spreading to Europe and now includes ports in Spain and Portugal. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) recently identified this as a threat to the United States and reported that the CCP plans to use LOGINK to strengthen its influence over international maritime trade and port infrastructure.\n\nThe widespread adoption of the LOGINK platform creates a strategic risk for U.S. commercial and military interests. The CCP could exploit their control over LOGINK to identify early trends in the movement of U.S. military supplies and equipment through commercial ports while denying other countries the same data on Chinese military assets. The CCP could gain valuable intelligence regarding U.S. supply chains and use this knowledge to imperil our supply of critical resources. The CCP can also capitalize on LOGINK data to confer commercial advantages to Chinese firms and skew the marketplace away from U.S. firms.\n\nThe expansion of LOGINK, if left unchecked, could give the CCP a roadmap to gain a stranglehold on the arteries of global trade and data flows, a key aim of their Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI). With the data that a global LOGINK system could provide, the CCP could efficiently identify vital transportation nodes necessary to control the physical movement of goods. This would be a disaster for American interests.\n\nFor the reasons highlighted above, we respectfully request answers to the following questions, within all applicable rules and regulations, no later than January 11, 2023:\n\n1.Does your administration agree that the Chinese Communist Party having access to sensitive U.S. government and military shipping data poses a threat to national security?\n\n2.What steps has your administration taken to protect sensitive U.S. government and military shipping data from LOGINK and other logistics management platforms run by or affiliated with potential adversaries?\n\n3.Has your administration identified any U.S. platforms or platforms from ally or partner nations that could serve as secure alternatives to LOGINK? If so, please list them.\n\n4.What actions has your administration taken to counter attempts by China at international standards-setting bodies to spread LOGINK or similar systems globally?\n\n5.What discussions has your administration had with allied and partner governments, particularly Japan and South Korea, on the potential threat that this system may pose to the U.S. military presence in their countries?\n\n6.Has your administration raised the need to halt the spread of LOGINK, or other concerns about LOGINK, as part of the administration\u2019s current bilateral and multilateral economic efforts in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to receiving your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n____________________ ____________________\n\nTom Cotton Michelle Steel\n\nUnited States Senator Member of Congress\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-sullivan-introduce-bill-to-support-9/11-beirut-bombing-victims", "Cotton, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Support 9/11, Beirut Bombing Victims", "2022-11-30", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 30, 2022\n\nCotton, Sullivan Introduce Bill to Support 9/11, Beirut Bombing Victims\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today introduced the Fairness for American Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Act, which would expand and improve a federal program that helps terrorist attack victims and their families get justice.\n\nSpecifically, the bill repurposes no-longer-needed COVID-19 funding to help American victims of terrorism recover court-awarded payments for acts of terrorism committed by foreign nations. It would expand and improve H.R. 8987, the Fairness for 9/11 Victims Act, by extending coverage to victims of the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing and their families and increasing the available funds to help satisfy their judgments. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cThe pandemic is long over\u2014unnecessary funding should shift to more worthy causes, like helping U.S. victims of terror attacks. This legislation will allocate funding to ensure that the brave Americans who were killed in brutal attacks like 9/11 and the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing are repaid the debt of gratitude America owes,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cI would like to thank Senator Cotton and Senator Sullivan for their leadership. I am honored to support this bill. I know 1983 is a long time ago, and the bombing has faded in the public\u2019s memory. But it\u2019s something I live with every day. All these years later, it would rub salt in the wound if the family members of those who were lost are left behind again. I can\u2019t believe that is what Congress intends. We have always had support from leaders on both sides of the aisle and I hope that continues,\u201d said Paul Rivers, a former Marine sergeant who survived the bombing in Beirut after being buried alive for two hours.\n\nSenator Dan Sullivan (R-OH) is cosponsoring the bill. A brief overview of the bill is below.\n\nThe bill would:\n\nRepurpose nearly $3 billion in unspent CARES Act pandemic funds to provide \"catch-up\" funds for 9/11 victims and their families who were previously excluded from the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund;\n\nAmend the law to allow victims of the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing and their families to join the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, just as excluded 9/11 victims and their families were allowed to join the fund in 2019;\n\nRepurpose an additional $3 billion in unspent American Rescue Plan Act pandemic funds to provide \"catch-up\" funds for the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing victims and their families who were previously excluded from the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund;\n\nDirect the nearly $2 billion in estimated leftover funds after the catch-up payments to 9/11 victims and Beirut Marine families back to the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, to be distributed fairly to 9/11 and non-9/11 American victims of terrorism; and\n\nProvide oversight of the catch-up payments through a Government Accountability Office audit to ensure that catch-up payments put American victims of terrorism on equal footing and don't result in anyone receiving more than their court-awarded judgments.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/11/24/2022/cotton-statement-on-thanksgiving", "Cotton Statement on Thanksgiving", "2022-11-24", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 24, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Thanksgiving\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on Thanksgiving:\n\n\u201cMore than four centuries ago, our Pilgrim fathers joined with the Wampanoag tribe for the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims suffered many hardships and trials in the wilderness of the New World, but they bowed their heads and thanked God for giving them a special mission here on Earth. Today, the nation they helped to build stretches thousands of miles from Plymouth Rock to the shimmering shores of the Pacific. We have much to be grateful for as a nation. But most of all, we should be grateful that our special mission continues. From the Cotton family to yours, we wish you and your loved ones a happy Thanksgiving.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-expresses-concern-over-european-commission-jurisdiction-claim", "Cotton Expresses Concern Over European Commission Jurisdiction Claim", "2022-11-21", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 21, 2022\n\nCotton Expresses Concern Over European Commission Jurisdiction Claim\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to the German Ambassador and the Austrian Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires detailing potential problems with the European Commission\u2019s decision to invoke Article 22 of the EU Merger Regulations to review a deal between U.S. companies. The Commission\u2019s use of Article 22 last year to review the Illumina/Grail acquisition is an extraordinary expansion of the Commission\u2019s jurisdiction that will needlessly interfere with American business. Senator Cotton asked Germany and Austria to intervene in the case, which is now pending before the European Court of Justice.\n\nIn part, the letter said:\n\n\u201cThe Commission\u2019s decision to use Article 22 to assert jurisdiction over the Illumina/Grail deal last spring is alarming. Neither France, nor Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, or Iceland were entitled to investigate the deal under their own laws because the acquisition did not meet any merger control thresholds. Illumina has some EU operations; Grail, however, has none and generates no revenue in the EU. Both are U.S. companies.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter to the German Ambassador may be found here and the letter to the Austrian Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires here.\n\nNovember 21, 2022\n\nDear ________,\n\nI am deeply troubled by the European Commission\u2019s new interpretation of Article 22 of the European Union Merger Regulations, allowing the Commission to interfere in acquisitions where there is no European dimension. Under this new standard, there are no identifiable thresholds that a large \u201cforeign-to-foreign\u201d merger must meet for the Commission to assert jurisdiction. The Commission merely needs a member state to claim that the transaction would affect trade between member states and competition within its own borders and to ask the Commission to review the merger. This new approach is a breathtaking expansion of jurisdictional authority that is already interfering with American business.\n\nThe Commission\u2019s decision to use Article 22 to assert jurisdiction over the Illumina/Grail deal last spring is alarming. Neither France, nor Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, or Iceland were entitled to investigate the deal under their own laws because the acquisition did not meet any merger control thresholds. Illumina has some EU operations; Grail, however, has none and generates no revenue in the EU. Both are U.S. companies. Instead of leaving U.S. business in the hands of U.S. regulators, the Commission sent a letter asking member states to refer the deal to it. France, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and Iceland all did. Then, the Commission published new \u201cguidance\u201d in March of 2021 so it could review the transaction despite Illumina and Grail\u2019s not having conducted sufficient business to be investigated by any of the referring members under their own national laws.\n\nThe EU General Court recently upheld the Commission\u2019s actions despite the highly speculative claims the Commission made about the deal\u2019s impact on member states. If the European Commission wishes to assert jurisdiction over such a merger, it should be able to identify a concrete, substantial harm to European consumers. A theory of generic prejudice to innovation doesn\u2019t cut it.\n\nThe consequences of this new approach are indefensible and would permit the EU to continue to interfere in U.S. business without justification based on nebulous standards of harm. The European Commission should not position itself to harm U.S. consumers by depriving them of procompetitive deals. American regulators do not need European assistance to police America\u2019s free market.\n\nI kindly request that you intervene in the upcoming review by the European Court of Justice so this misstep may be corrected. I will continue to monitor developments and will consider further actions as necessary.\n\nSincerely,\n\n___________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-on-foreign-tiktok-employees-in-the-us", "Cotton Demands Answers on Foreign TikTok Employees in the US", "2022-11-14", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 14, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers on Foreign TikTok Employees in the US\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding security concerns that TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance pose to American citizens\u2019 personal data. The letter requested details on TikTok\u2019s use of H-1B guest workers who may have ties to the Chinese Communist Party.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cIn 2022 alone DHS has approved over 570 new and continuing H-1B visas for foreign individuals to work at ByteDance and TikTok\u2019s offices in California. Given the security concerns with TikTok and the company\u2019s repeated statements about \u201cUS-based\u201d teams and data centers, having hundreds of foreign nationals working in those offices presents another potential threat.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nNovember 14, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Alejandro MayorkasSecretary\n\nDepartment of Homeland Security\n\nWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nI write regarding TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and their use of H-1B guest worker visas for employees who might have ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). TikTok captures vast amounts of private information on users, including American citizens, and has long been suspected of providing the CCP with potential access to that information. This threatens the safety and security of American citizens, and also functions as an avenue for the Chinese government to track the locations of and develop blackmail on Federal employees and contractors.\n\nIn response to security and espionage concerns, TikTok claims that it stores \u201call TikTok US user data in the United States,\u201d and that its \u201cdata centers are located entirely outside of China.\u201d In a Senate hearing, TikTok\u2019s vice president added that TikTok has a \u201cUS-based security team that handles access to user data.\u201d However, recent public reports indicate that sensitive data on American users of TikTok has been accessed from within China, that Beijing-based employees of ByteDance have targeted specific American users for surveillance, and that at least 300 TikTok and ByteDance employees are also current or former employees of Chinese state media.\n\nIn 2022 alone, DHS has approved over 570 new and continuing H-1B visas for foreign individuals to work at ByteDance and TikTok\u2019s offices in California. Given the security concerns with TikTok and the company\u2019s repeated statements about \u201cUS-based\u201d teams and data centers, having hundreds of foreign nationals working in those offices presents another potential threat. For each H-1B application sponsored by ByteDance or TikTok in 2022, please provide a list of the nationalities and job titles of each applicant employee no later than 5:00PM on Tuesday, November 15.\n\nI look forward to your prompt response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-president-biden-meeting-with-president-xi", "Cotton Statement on President Biden Meeting with President Xi", "2022-11-14", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 14, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on President Biden Meeting with President Xi\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on President Biden\u2019s meeting this morning with Chinese President Xi Jinping:\n\n\u201cJoe Biden has again failed to address or even acknowledge China\u2019s Cold War against the United States. His naive return to a policy of appeasement will hurt the United States, endanger Taiwan, and further embolden Xi Jinping.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/11/11/2022/cotton-statement-on-veterans-day", "Cotton Statement on Veterans Day", "2022-11-11", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 11, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Veterans Day\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:\n\n\"Today a grateful nation pauses to remember the Americans who put the needs of their country above their own. At home and abroad, the sacrifice of our veterans has made America safer and stronger. These exceptional Americans and their families deserve our lasting gratitude.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-warn-law-firms-about-esg-initiatives", "Cotton, Colleagues Warn Law Firms About ESG Initiatives", "2022-11-04", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 4, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Warn Law Firms About ESG Initiatives\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida), sent letters to 51 law firms detailing the possible antitrust violations that their clients may commit if they pursue collusive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. The letter advises the law firms to preserve documents relevant to their clients\u2019 ESG practices in preparation for Congress\u2019s oversight of ESG-related antitrust violations.\n\nIn part, the members wrote:\n\n\u201cThe ESG movement attempts to weaponize corporations to reshape society in ways that Americans would never endorse at the ballot box. Of particular concern is the collusive effort to restrict the supply of coal, oil, and gas, which is driving up energy costs across the globe and empowering America\u2019s adversaries abroad.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nDear ________,\n\nWe are writing about your firm\u2019s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practice. Although businesses would certainly be wise to lawyer up before undertaking ESG initiatives, your firm has a duty to fully inform clients of the risks they incur by participating in climate cartels and other ill-advised ESG schemes.\n\nDuring a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, FTC Commissioner Lina Khan and Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division Jonathan Kanter were asked to share their thoughts about ESG collusion. Commissioner Khan emphasized that there is no ESG exemption to antitrust laws. Regarding ESG group initiatives, she added, \u201cCertainly, those types of cooperation or agreements, in as much as they can affect competition, are always relevant to\u201d the FTC. Assistant AG Kanter emphasized his own agreement with \u201cthe sentiment that collusion is anticompetitive, and I also agree with the underlying sentiment that when firms have substantial power and they use that power to achieve anticompetitive ends, that should be actionable under the antitrust laws.\u201d\n\nThe ESG movement attempts to weaponize corporations to reshape society in ways that Americans would never endorse at the ballot box. Of particular concern is the collusive effort to restrict the supply of coal, oil, and gas, which is driving up energy costs across the globe and empowering America\u2019s adversaries abroad. Over the coming months and years, Congress will increasingly use its oversight powers to scrutinize the institutionalized antitrust violations being committed in the name of ESG, and refer those violations to the FTC and the Department of Justice. To the extent that your firm continues to advise clients regarding participation in ESG initiatives, both you and those clients should take care to preserve relevant documents in anticipation of those investigations.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-how-tom-cottons-hard-line-on-crime-took-over-the-republican-party", "ICYMI: How Tom Cotton\u2019s hard line on crime took over the Republican Party", "2022-10-21", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 21, 2022\n\nICYMI: How Tom Cotton\u2019s hard line on crime took over the Republican Party\n\nHow Tom Cotton\u2019s hard line on crime took over the Republican Party\n\nSemafor\n\nBy David Weigel\n\nWhen prison reform was in vogue, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. was against it. In 2018, he led the GOP opposition to the First Step Act, a bipartisan effort to reduce some sentences and let some criminals out of prison. Just 11 other Republicans sided with him against the Trump administration, which celebrated the bill\u2019s passage as something Democrats never could have pulled off. Four years later, Cotton said in an interview, plenty of his colleagues wish they could take that vote back.\n\nAMERICANA: You\u2019ve talked about ideas that are popular in \u201cthe faculty lounge,\u201d and you spent some time in the Ivy League yourself. When did you first encounter the idea that it was ipso facto a problem to have too many people in prison?\n\nCOTTON: The first time I remember this being at the forefront, as a political issue, was in my first year in the Senate in 2015. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would substantially decrease prison sentences \u2013 would let thousands, if not tens of thousands, of convicts out of jail.\n\nI did not know that the Republican Party stood for such a thing. On the Columbus Day recess I was on a co-del with Mitch McConnell, and I asked him: What the hell? When did the Republican Party become the party of letting felons \u2013 hardened, serious felons \u2013 out of prison? McConnell said, \u201cWell, I have a lot of Republican members who voted for that bill and are very passionate about it. And I don't have any Republican members at the moment who are outspoken opponents to it.\u201d And I said, \u201cI think I found your man.\u201d\n\nAMERICANA: You\u2019ve said that the reformers, while wrong, are well-intentioned.\n\nCOTTON: There are a handful of politicians in Congress who have libertarian leanings. They don't like state power in most contexts. They have philosophical objections to long prison sentences, especially long prison sentences for drug crimes, because they object to the criminalization of drugs to begin with.\n\nUnfortunately, you see the same dynamic in a lot of states. And at that level, you have the added pressure of the state budget. It's not a major concern for the federal government, because the Bureau of Prisons and our law enforcement budgets are relatively small parts of the federal budget.\n\nAMERICANA: During the pandemic, DOJ let more than 11,000 people out of jail and confined them at home. Seventeen of those people have been charged for crimes they committed after getting out. I\u2019ve seen criminal justice reform advocates point to that and say, look, here\u2019s proof you don\u2019t need all of these people to stay in prison.\n\nCOTTON: The victims of those 17 criminals probably viewed it differently. Look, the 11,000 people sitting at home right now include 6000 drug offenders. Drug trafficking is a classic crime that you can do from the comfort of your own home even while you're wearing an ankle bracelet. And the new director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons said she can\u2019t assure us that felons who would otherwise be sitting in a federal prison are not conducting criminal activities from their house. As I said to her: I assure you that many of them are.\n\nAMERICANA: The Biden administration \u2013 during a campaign, to be fair \u2013 has proposed hiring 100,000 new police officers, which Republicans have supported in a different form. Do you see any possible agreement between the parties on that? Does it come up in the lame duck after the midterms?\n\nCOTTON: I don't think they get that through the House of Representatives. Look how much they struggled just to pass rhetorical messaging bills with no teeth \u2013 they had to beg, borrow and steal votes, pleading with the radicals in the so-called \u201cSquad\u201d just to vote present. I don't know how Biden is going to take the beating that's coming his way in the election, if he's going to react more like Barack Obama or Bill Clinton.\n\nAMERICANA: Is there a federal response to defensive policing? That\u2019s some of the tension, too \u2013 police departments report lower morale after negative attention, make fewer arrests, close fewer cases.\n\nCOTTON: So many officers worry too much about what their city or county's political leadership \u2013 in some cases, even their departmental leadership \u2013 would do if faced with one of those controversial moments where all the facts aren\u2019t clear.\n\nLocal leaders need to make it clear that they will not jump to conclusions, that they will not abandon officers. Simply winning the Congress and putting an end to nonsense like repealing qualified immunity would contribute to greater confidence on the part of our police officers.\n\nDAVID 'S VIEW\n\nCotton was years ahead of what's now the dominant Republican message on crime: That there's no \"mass incarceration\" problem, and that freeing prisoners inevitably leads to more violence. I wasn't surprised by his answers, but interested in where he wants to take this in 2023, with new Republican legislators who want to fire liberal prosecutors and step up penalties for drug trafficking.\n\nTHE VIEW FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMERS\n\nInvestigative journalist Radley Balko has accused Cotton and his allies of misleading voters on crime, especially when they've tried to keep progressive judicial nominees off the bench. \"As with any other institution, we improve the criminal justice system by exposing and correcting its flaws, not by pretending those flaws don\u2019t exist.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-urge-president-biden-to-take-action-against-huawei-aligned-semiconductor-plant", "Cotton, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Take Action Against Huawei-Aligned Semiconductor Plant", "2022-10-14", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 14, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Take Action Against Huawei-Aligned Semiconductor Plant\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida), sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on the administration to take immediate action to prevent the Chinese technology company Huawei from building the Pengxinwei IC Manufacturing Company (PXW) semiconductor plant. The letter details how the plant would severely undermine the U.S. strategy to counter Huawei, an arm of Chinese intelligence. The plant would give Huawei a guaranteed supply of advanced chips, a key element of the CCP\u2019s Military-Civil Fusion campaign. The senators also raise concerns that the administration has taken no official steps to delay the project\u2019s progress, despite knowing about the plant\u2019s construction.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cBloomberg recently published evidence that Huawei began construction over seven months ago on a factory where PXW is expected to eventually mass produce chips as advanced as 14 nanometers and 7 nanometers. Almost all of these chips are expected to be sold to Huawei, and PXW reportedly has already ordered the advanced equipment necessary to build these chips. This would represent a dangerous leap in Chinese semiconductor manufacturing, as Chinese chipmakers have thus far only been able to produce 7-nanometer chips in limited quantities. With these new chips for its base stations, Huawei could resume its march towards 5G market dominance, and the CCP will advance its plan to control global telecommunications and extend its economic espionage and repression.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 13, 2022\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe call on the administration to take immediate action to halt Huawei\u2019s attempt to build the Pengxinwei IC Manufacturing Company (PXW) semiconductor foundry. This Huawei-aligned foundry is designed to fatally undermine the U.S. strategy to counter the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP) bid to dominate global 5G markets and strengthen its intelligence and repression apparatus.\n\nBloomberg recently published evidence that Huawei began construction over seven months ago on a factory where PXW is expected to eventually mass produce chips as advanced as 14 nanometers and 7 nanometers. Almost all of these chips are expected to be sold to Huawei, and PXW reportedly has already ordered the advanced equipment necessary to build these chips. This would represent a dangerous leap in Chinese semiconductor manufacturing, as Chinese chipmakers have thus far only been able to produce 7-nanometer chips in limited quantities. With these new chips for its base stations, Huawei could resume its march towards 5G market dominance, and the CCP will advance its plan to control global telecommunications and extend its economic espionage and repression.\n\nWe are deeply concerned that, despite the obvious threat that PXW poses, your administration has taken no official steps to delay the project\u2019s progress, despite being aware of the project for some time. The Department of Commerce\u2019s apparent inaction is a dereliction of duty. Despite PXW\u2019s clear connection with Huawei, Commerce has not added PXW to its Bureau of Industry and Security\u2019s (BIS) Entity List or its list of Huawei subsidiaries under the Foreign Direct Product Rule. As far as we can tell, Commerce has not sent a single \u201cinformed\u201d letter to any entities potentially working with PXW, ordering them to halt all shipments to and transactions with the factory.\n\nExport controls are among our nation\u2019s foremost tools to win the economic long war with China. It defies logic that, at the same time as your administration worked on a package of export controls on Chinese semiconductors, it has not used all the tools at its disposal to end PXW\u2019s development. Your administration should blacklist PXW immediately, unless you wish to preside over the unravelling of the U.S. campaign against Huawei and the CCP\u2019s bid for global 5G dominance.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n_________________________ _________________________\n\nTom Cotton Bill Hagerty\n\nUnited States Senator United States Senator\n\n_________________________ _________________________\n\nMarsha Blackburn Ted Cruz\n\nUnited States Senator United States Senator\n\n_________________________\n\nMarco Rubio\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-requests-information-on-release-of-private-military-records", "Cotton Requests Information on Release of Private Military Records", "2022-10-13", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 13, 2022\n\nCotton Requests Information on Release of Private Military Records\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Daniel Hokanson requesting a full accounting of how Politico obtained the private personnel records of USAF Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer-Ruth Green. Included in Politico\u2019s reporting were Green\u2019s Officer Performance Reports and her own account of being sexually assaulted while serving in Iraq.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cAbsent the written consent of the servicemember, military performance evaluations appear to be protected by the Privacy Act and not releasable under the Freedom of Information Act, based on the statutes themselves, various government FAQs, and the Air Force itself in response to a formal congressional inquiry from my office into whether Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) are releasable under FOIA: An \u2018OPR could only be released if that member agreed, in writing, to release his/her document. Without written consent/release, Air Force has no authority to release these documents.\u2019\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 12, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Frank Kendall, III\n\nSecretary of the Air Force\n\n1670 Air Force Pentagon\n\nWashington, DC 20330-1670\n\nGeneral Daniel R. Hokanson\n\nChief of the National Guard Bureau\n\n111 South George Mason Drive\n\nArlington, VA 22204\n\nDear Secretary Kendall and General Hokanson:\n\nOn October 7, 2022, Politico published highly private information from the military records of Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer-Ruth Green, USAF, including both the contents of her Officer Performance Reports and her own detailed account of being sexually assaulted while serving in Iraq\u2014an assault she had chosen to keep private until Politico decided to ignore her objections and publish the details anyway.\n\nThe Politico reporter claims in the article that \u201cthe documents\u2026were obtained by a public records request and provided to [Politico.]\u201d Separately, in a statement to Fox News Digital, a Politico spokesperson contends that \u201c[t]he records in question are publicly available documents that can be obtained by a standard FOIA request.\u201d\n\nBut absent the written consent of the servicemember, military performance evaluations appear to be protected by the Privacy Act and not releasable under the Freedom of Information Act, based on the statutes themselves, various government FAQs, and the Air Force itself in response to a formal congressional inquiry from my office into whether Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) are releasable under FOIA: An \u201cOPR could only be released if that member agreed, in writing, to release his/her document. Without written consent/release, Air Force has no authority to release these documents.\u201d\n\nIf that\u2019s true, the release of Lt Col Green\u2019s personnel records appears to be a grave violation of both Lt Col Green\u2019s privacy and federal law.\n\nOf additional concern is the appearance that the party responsible for releasing these Air Force documents may be exploiting private matters, including a sexual assault, for partisan purposes to interfere in the democratic process just weeks before an election.\n\nI am therefore formally requesting a full accounting of how and on what basis these documents were released or leaked, and who is responsible.\n\nI look forward to your prompt response.\n\n___________________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-questions-mayorkas-about-border-patrol-whipping-claims", "Cotton Questions Mayorkas About Border Patrol \u2018Whipping\u2019 Claims", "2022-10-12", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 12, 2022\n\nCotton Questions Mayorkas About Border Patrol \u2018Whipping\u2019 Claims\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking why the secretary condemned border patrol agents for allegedly whipping illegal immigrants when he had already received assurances that they had not done so.\n\nThe letter cites a recently released email to Secretary Mayorkas that included a statement from the photographer whose pictures sparked the false claims. In the email, the photographer said that he had \u201cnever seen [the agents] whip anyone.\u201d\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cIf this is true, you intentionally misled the public and vilified Border Patrol agents for political gain\u2014a gross abuse of your responsibility to the men and women in your Department and to the country.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 12, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of Homeland Security\n\nWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nLast year, a misleading photograph circulated online of mounted Border Patrol agents using the reins of their horses to control their movements. News outlets and some Democrats falsely claimed that the photograph showed the agents \u201cwhipping\u201d illegal aliens at the border.\n\nAn email recently made public appears to show that you received a statement from the photographer saying that he had \u201cnever seen [the agents] whip anyone.\u201d Mere hours after you received that statement, you attended a White House press conference where you called the photograph \u201chorrifying\u201d and stood silently as President Biden falsely claimed that illegal aliens were \u201cbeing strapped,\u201d and promised that the agents \u201cwill pay.\u201d If this is true, you intentionally misled the public and vilified Border Patrol agents for political gain\u2014a gross abuse of your responsibility to the men and women in your Department and to the country.\n\nPlease answer the following questions no later than 5:00PM on Wednesday, October 19:\n\n1.Did you receive an email dated September 24, 2021, containing the photographer\u2019s statement that he had \u201cnever seen [the Border Patrol agents] whip anyone\u201d?\n\n2.Did you inform the Biden White House prior to its press conference on September 24, 2021, of the email containing the photographer\u2019s statement?\n\n3.Have you apologized to the Border Patrol agents for unfairly vilifying them and their work?\n\nI look forward to your prompt response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-call-for-answers-on-possible-double-dipping-student-loan-refunds-for-federal-employees", "Cotton, Colleagues Call for Answers on Possible Double-Dipping Student Loan \u201cRefunds\u201d for Federal Employees", "2022-10-07", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 7, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Call for Answers on Possible Double-Dipping Student Loan \u201cRefunds\u201d for Federal Employees\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Sens. John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Steve Daines (R-South Dakota), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), today sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. The letter seeks answers about federal employees potentially receiving refunds for student loan payments that the federal government made on their behalf.\n\nIn part, the members wrote:\n\n\u201cYour current guidance raises the troubling possibility that over 12,000 federal employees who benefit from these taxpayers funded repayment programs could receive direct checks to \u2018reimburse\u2019 them for loan repayments already made by taxpayers. Your Department explicitly tells borrowers that payments can only be \u2018refunded to you, even if someone else made a payment on your loan.\u2019 This could allow federal employees to receive thousands of dollars in refunds for student loans payments that they never actually made themselves.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 6, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Miguel Cardona\n\nSecretary of Education\n\nDepartment of Education Building\n\n400 Maryland Ave, SW\n\nWashington, DC 20202\n\nDear Secretary Cardona,\n\nYour agency recently released a guidance document stating that federal student loan borrowers who made repayments since March 13, 2020 will receive an automatic refund for their payments because both the requirement to make payments and the accrual of interest were paused since this time period. As you know, the federal government already offers generous repayment programs to its employees, which continued during the pandemic. Reports suggest roughly 2,000 Capitol Hill staffers and 10,400 executive branch employees benefit from these generous repayment plans.\n\nYour current guidance raises the troubling possibility that over 12,000 federal employees who benefit from these taxpayers funded repayment programs could receive direct checks to \u201creimburse\u201d them for loan repayments already made by taxpayers. Your Department explicitly tells borrowers that payments can only be \u201crefunded to you, even if someone else made a payment on your loan.\u201d This could allow federal employees to receive thousands of dollars in refunds for student loans payments that they never actually made themselves. Please respond to the following questions no later than October 14, 2022:\n\n1.Do you plan to give a \u201crefund\u201d to any federal employees who had repayments made on their behalf by the federal government since March 13th, 2020?\n\n2.If a federal employee with a $20,000 federal student loan balance in March of 2020 stopped making payments at that time but continued to receive taxpayer benefits that paid their balance down to zero over the course of the pause on repayment, could that borrower apply to have $20,000 \u201crefunded\u201d to them?\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-introduce-bill-providing-funding-for-critical-munitions-to-protect-america", "Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill Providing Funding for Critical Munitions to Protect America", "2022-10-04", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 4, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill Providing Funding for Critical Munitions to Protect America\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced a bill with Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) to restore America\u2019s diminished stockpiles of critical munitions. The legislation will authorize investments in necessary munitions production, ensuring America is prepared to fight a major war while also building a workforce that can produce the weapons we need.\n\nInvesting in our munitions industrial base and developing a skilled workforce would better prepare the Department of Defense to make sure our defense industry can protect American citizens in case of war. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cThe Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown that the United States\u2019 stockpile of munitions is dangerously low. We must reinvest not only in the munitions critical for the defense of America, but also in a workforce that can build these weapons to ensure our military\u2019s readiness,\u201d said Sen. Cotton.\n\n\u201cFor far too long, we've underinvested in munitions. This legislation would immediately reverse this trend and improve readiness by increasing our munitions production capacity. It also includes my language to provide Congress with better reporting on our industrial base so we can further refine future investments. It\u2019s our responsibility to ensure our nation has the ability to produce the things we need to defend ourselves, project strength, and better support our allies and partners,\u201d said Sen. Fischer.\n\nBackground:\n\n-Current U.S. munitions supplies are produced over decades, limiting how much the military would have immediate access to in the event of a crisis.\n\n-The current munitions and missile supply would evaporate before wartime surges of money and attention could fill the gap.\n\n-As the current Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown, America needs to direct adequate funding to munitions production and a skilled workforce to protect both ourselves and our allies.\n\nThe bill would:\n\n-Authorize $3.8 billion in appropriations to procure additional munitions and necessary materials for munitions.\n\n-Authorize $479 million in appropriations to expand the capacity of vital munitions and launcher production lines (JAGM, SM-6, LRASM, JASSM, SM-3, HIMARS cabs).\n\n-Authorize $244 million in appropriations to procure and expand production capacity for the Coyote counter-UAS (C-UAS) system.\n\n-Authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter multi-year procurement contracts of up to 5 years for munitions if those munitions are critical to warfighting and deterrence.\n\n-Requires a brief on DoD\u2019s fulfillment of reporting requirements (under Section 222c, 10 U.S.C.) on the level of munitions needed for potential conflicts and planned inventories.\n\n-Requires a report by DoD on the industrial base constraints for munitions needed for potential conflicts and on past efforts and potential efforts to mitigate those constraints.\n\n-Authorize the Secretary of Defense to enter into Support or Procurement Partnership Agreements with Ukraine and allies and partners who have provided military aid to Ukraine.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-warn-amalgamated-bank-for-abusing-financial-system-to-infringe-on-second-amendment", "Cotton, Colleagues Warn Amalgamated Bank for Abusing Financial System to Infringe on Second Amendment", "2022-10-03", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 3, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Warn Amalgamated Bank forAbusing Financial System to Infringe on Second Amendment\n\nWashington, DC\u2014United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) led 24 colleagues in a letter to Amalgamated Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Priscilla Sims Brown criticizing the bank\u2019s manipulation of an international rules organization to force U.S. financial services firms to categorize gun purchases\u2014an attempt to target law-abiding Americans exercising their right to purchase firearms and to enact far-left political goals.\n\n\u201cYour bank is attempting to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans by going around the democratic process. You should expect Congressional oversight of your actions,\u201d the Senators wrote.\n\n\u201cIt is clear from Amalgamated Bank\u2019s website that it has fully embraced an anti-firearm agenda. Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans. If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What\u2019s worse, these actions weren\u2019t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system,\u201d the Senators continued.\n\n\u201cLet us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable\u2026 You should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO\u2019s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future,\u201d the Senators concluded.\n\nAdditional signers include United States Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), along with Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Boozman (R-AR), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Thune (R-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and John Cornyn (R-TX).\n\nA copy of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Ms. Brown,\n\nWe write to you about your bank\u2019s manipulation of an international rules organization to force U.S. financial services firms to categorize gun purchases. Your bank is attempting to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans by going around the democratic process. You should expect Congressional oversight of your actions.\n\nAs you are undoubtedly aware, earlier this month, the International Standards Organization (ISO) based in Switzerland created a merchant category code (MCC) specifically to target, surveil and discourage gun and ammunition sellers. Your actions were a major step toward targeting law-abiding Americans exercising their right to purchase firearms, a right that is protected by the Constitution.\n\nIt is clear from Amalgamated Bank\u2019s website that it has fully embraced an anti-firearm agenda. Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans. If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What\u2019s worse, these actions weren\u2019t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system.\n\nThere was good reason that the ISO rejected your previous three applications for this policy, as such a move is purely political, not to mention the immense regulatory and compliance burden it will ultimately place on retailers.\n\nLet us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable. The fundamental rights of Americans should be legislated on and debated by the elected officials who are sent to Washington, D.C. on their constituents\u2019 behalf, and not by progressive activist CEOs or un-elected bureaucrats in Geneva.\n\nYou should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO\u2019s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/gallagher-cotton-introduce-legislation-to-impose-crippling-sanctions-on-ymtc", "Gallagher, Cotton Introduce Legislation to Impose Crippling Sanctions on YMTC", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 30, 2022\n\nGallagher, Cotton Introduce Legislation to Impose Crippling Sanctions on YMTC\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) today introduced legislation that would impose crippling sanctions on Chinese memory chip manufacturer Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC). The bill would place YMTC on the Specially Designated Nationals List and would also direct the President to take similar actions against other advanced Chinese memory chip manufacturers of similar development.\n\nRecent reports suggest that Apple may choose YMTC as a memory chip supplier for the latest iPhone, which would expose iPhone users to a number of security risks, give legitimacy to YMTC despite its ties to the Chinese Communist Party, and expand US dependency on Chinese semiconductors. This legislation would wall off YMTC from the U.S. economy and prevent Apple from moving forward with selecting YMTC memory chips.\n\n\"YMTC has well documented ties to the CCP, and their push to serve as Apple's flash memory provider is just the Party's latest attempt to increase our dependence on China and undermine our national security. In light of recent reports, is long past time for us to take decisive action against this threat,\" said Rep. Gallagher. \"This bill will defend the security of our semiconductor supply chains and combat YMTC and other CCP-backed actors from using predatory pricing to crowd more secure options out of the critical flash memory market.\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party wants to use YMTC to dominate the global microchip market so the world depends on them for this critical technology. The United States can\u2019t take that risk for security reasons alone\u2014much less the dangers of accompanying Chinese espionage, or YMTC\u2019s human rights record, or their likely violation of U.S. sanctions. Our bill would sanction YMTC and all similar Chinese manufacturers tied to the Chinese state,\" said Sen. Cotton.\n\nSpecifically, this bill would:\n\n\u00b7 Direct the President to impose sanctions on YMTC to the full extent that International Emergency Economic Powers Act allows, thus adding them to the SDN list, and\n\n\u00b7 Require the President to use sanctions on other advanced Chinese memory chip manufacturers.\n\nClick HERE for bill text.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-express-concern-over-reduced-reimbursements-for-prescriptions", "Cotton, Colleagues Express Concern Over Reduced Reimbursements for Prescriptions", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 29, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Express Concern Over Reduced Reimbursements for Prescriptions\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) sent a letter to Seileen Mullen, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, seeking answers about TRICARE beneficiaries\u2019 ability to maintain access to local pharmacies. The letter expressed concern that Express Scripts will reduce prescription reimbursements for 9.6 million TRICARE members in 2023. The letter also notes that 2022 pharmacy contracts will expire on October 24, rather than the end of the year. This will only reduce the pharmacy network for TRICARE patients and their families. They were joined on the letter by 98 of their colleagues.\n\nIn part, the members wrote:\n\n\u201cPharmacists continue to be one of the most accessible health care providers in the United States. Over 90 percent of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy, and 76.5 percent of pharmacies in rural areas are independent community pharmacies. As you know, in addition to dispensing medications and vaccines, community pharmacies provide services that lead to better health outcomes, lower overall administrative fees, and valuable in-person consultations with a healthcare provider.\u201d\n\nSenators Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Steve Daines (R-Montana), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) joined the letter.\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 29, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Seileen Mullen\n\nActing Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs\n\nDefense Health Agency\n\n7700 Arlington Boulevard\n\nSuite 5101\n\nFalls Church, VA 22042-5101\n\nDear Acting Assistant Secretary Mullen,\n\nWe write to request information regarding the Department of Defense Health Agency\u2019s (DHA) monitoring of TRICARE beneficiaries\u2019 access to retail and community pharmacies.\n\nIt has been brought to our attention that Express Scripts has reduced reimbursements for prescriptions dispensed at in-network retail pharmacies for 2023. These reductions may leave many retail pharmacies unable to participate in the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, thus significantly impacting 9.6 million TRICARE beneficiaries\u2019 access to local pharmacies. Most recently, Express Scripts notified pharmacies and beneficiaries that current 2022 pharmacy contracts will expire October 24, 2022, rather than the end of the year. This will only further reduce the pharmacy network for TRICARE patients and their families, and may force beneficiaries to change pharmacies at a time when many receive annual vaccinations.\n\nPharmacists continue to be one of the most accessible health care providers in the United States. Over 90 percent of Americans live within five miles of a community pharmacy, and 76.5 percent of pharmacies in rural areas are independent community pharmacies. As you know, in addition to dispensing medications and vaccines, community pharmacies provide services that lead to better health outcomes, lower overall administrative fees, and valuable in-person consultations with a healthcare provider.\n\nTo ensure TRICARE beneficiaries maintain access to local pharmacies, we respectfully request answers to the following questions.\n\n1.How is DHA monitoring current and future retail pharmacy participation in the TRICARE Pharmacy program?\n\n2.If future in-network pharmacy participation decreases, what steps will DHA take to ensure adequate access to in-person pharmacy services for TRICARE beneficiaries?\n\n3.Terminating the 2022 pharmacy contracts two months ahead of schedule will likely lead to a disruption of care for Tricare beneficiaries. What reasons has Express Scripts given DHA for terminating the 2022 contracts early? Please outline what oversight DHA has over Express Scripts, as well as what authority DHA has given Express Scripts to make these contract changes.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter. Due to the patient access and safety concerns expressed above, we look forward to receiving your response and working with you to ensure TRICARE beneficiaries continue to receive the utmost care from trusted, local health care professionals.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-probes-potential-meta-cooperation-with-iranian-government", "Cotton Probes Potential Meta Cooperation with Iranian Government", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 29, 2022\n\nCotton Probes Potential Meta Cooperation with Iranian Government\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding the company\u2019s alleged cooperation with Iran in suppressing dissent from the Iranian people. The letter cites news reports that one of Meta\u2019s subsidiaries, Instagram, may have sided with Iran\u2019s leaders and removed documentation of the regime\u2019s violent crushing of peaceful protests. The letter asked Zuckerberg to confirm whether any of Meta\u2019s companies or subsidiaries censored any information of the protests and whether any Meta employees or subsidiaries accepted bribes from anyone affiliated with the Iranian government.\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 28, 2022\n\nMark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer\n\nMeta Platforms, Inc.\n\n1 Hacker Way\n\nMenlo Park, CA 94025\n\nDear Mr. Zuckerberg,\n\nNews reports indicate that at least one of your company\u2019s subsidiaries, Instagram, may have removed documentation of the Iranian regime\u2019s vicious attempts to crush recent peaceful protests. This is particularly concerning given prior allegations that Iran attempted to bribe your content moderators to remove accounts that challenged or criticized the Iranian regime. As the CEO, founder, and majority shareholder, you are ultimately responsible for Meta\u2019s actions. Please respond to the following questions no later than October 3, 2022:\n\n1.Did Instagram or any other Meta company (including Whatsapp) remove any images or videos of the protests or restrict accounts sharing information about the protests?\n\na.Was any such censorship conducted at the request of the Iranian government?\n\n2.Have any employees of Meta or its subcontractors received or accepted bribes or other payments from any representative or proxy of the Iranian government?\n\n3.Did anyone in your organization or any third-party content moderator responsible for removing information about the protests receive any bribes or other payments from Iranian intelligence services?\n\n4.Is it the official position of Meta or any of its subsidiaries to support or cooperate with dictatorships and violent extremist regimes?\n\n5.What specific steps are you taking to reestablish the accounts that were deleted or disabled during the ongoing protests?\n\n6.What specific steps are you taking to ensure that protestors in Iran continue to have access to your products as they showcase the truth about the Iranian regime?\n\nI look forward to your prompt and detailed responses.\n\nSincerely,\n\n_____________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-on-partially-chinese-owned-lithium-mine-potentially-receiving-us-funding", "Cotton Demands Answers on Partially Chinese-Owned Lithium Mine Potentially Receiving U.S. Funding", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter today to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm requesting information about the Department of Energy potentially funding a lithium mine by Lithium Americas, a company partially owned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The letter addresses the significant risks to national security and our supply chain that would arise if federal funding were to deepen Chinese control over America\u2019s critical minerals and urges Granholm to reject Lithium America\u2019s funding request if it refuses to separate from its Chinese owner.\n\nIn part, the senator wrote:\n\n\u201cThe U.S. government should apply strict oversight regarding potential federal funding of CCP-owned or -controlled entities. DOE\u2019s loan for the Thacker Pass mine would be substantial and reportedly cover the majority of the project\u2019s capital costs. It is critical that DOE ensure taxpayer funding does not go to corporations with CCP ties and does not increase U.S. mineral dependence on China.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found below.\n\nSeptember 27, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Jennifer Granholm\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of Energy\n\n1000 Independence Ave. SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20585\n\nDear Secretary Granholm,\n\nI write to you requesting information and raising concerns regarding reports of the Department of Energy potentially funding a lithium mine controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\nThe Washington Free Beacon recently reported plans by Lithium Americas, an ostensibly Canadian company, to build a mine at Thacker Pass in Humboldt County, Nevada. Worryingly, media reports indicate that Lithium Americas\u2019 largest shareholder is Ganfeng, a Chinese company with direct ties to the CCP. Ganfeng is currently acquiring lithium mines around the world, which, according to former Secretary Mike Pompeo, is part of a \u201cclear intention by the Chinese Communist Party to control the entire supply chain for green energy.\u201d The United States should be reducing its dependence on China for these critical inputs, not opening the door for China to \u201cgain a foothold in America on lithium mining,\u201d as reported.\n\nI am deeply concerned that, despite clear CCP influence over the company, Lithium Americas\u2019 Thacker Pass project is under consideration for a loan through the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Technologies Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program. Lithium Americas\u2019 assurances that Thacker Pass is 100%-owned by them rather than Ganfeng are insufficient to resolve national security concerns, given the Party\u2019s considerable stake in the company.\n\nThe U.S. government should apply strict oversight regarding potential federal funding of CCP-owned or -controlled entities. DOE\u2019s loan for the Thacker Pass mine would be substantial and reportedly cover the majority of the project\u2019s capital costs. As the government continues to invest in battery supply chain programs, it is critical that DOE ensure taxpayer funding does not go to corporations with CCP ties and does not increase U.S. mineral dependence on China.\n\nYour department has an opportunity to leverage this ATVM loan application to incentivize Lithium Americas to part ways with Ganfeng. Ganfeng and any other Chinese entities with CCP ties should divest their stakes in Lithium Americas before the company is offered this loan. If Lithium Americas refuses to part ways with Ganfeng, then I strongly urge you to reject their application for the ATVM loan. The United States urgently needs domestic critical mineral production to supply its technology sector and reduce its dependence on China; the United States does not need and should not fund possible attempts by the CCP to deepen its control over the U.S. critical mineral supply chain.\n\nFor the reasons highlighted above, I respectfully request answers to the following questions:\n\n1.Is DOE aware of Lithium Americas\u2019 application for the Advanced Technologies Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program and the company\u2019s partial ownership by entities closely tied the CCP?\n\n2.What safeguards or requirements are in place to ensure the ATVM program is not funding other companies owned or controlled by the CCP or other adversaries?\n\n3.Does DOE agree that the United States must reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals like lithium and should invest in domestic production of such minerals? If so, does DOE believe that funding deeper CCP control of the U.S. critical mineral supply chain is counterproductive to this goal? If not, why not?\n\n4.Has DOE raised with Lithium Americas the possibility that its loan application for the Thacker Pass project may be harmed by the company\u2019s partial ownership by Ganfeng or that its application may be improved if Ganfeng divested in the company?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n_________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-air-force-academy-regarding-reports-of-mandatory-diversity-training-exercises", "Cotton Demands Answers from Air Force Academy Regarding Reports of Mandatory Diversity Training Exercises", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 23, 2022\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter yesterday to Lieutenant General Richard M. Clark, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Senator Cotton wrote to express his deep concern with reports that the Lieutenant General has commanded cadets to attend \u201cdiversity and inclusion\u201d training sessions. The training reportedly instructed cadets to not use gender-specific terms like \u201cmom\u201d or \u201cdad.\u201d The letter asked the Lieutenant General to confirm the details of the training and the official positions of the USAFA towards gendered and race-related language.\n\nIn part, the senator wrote:\n\n\u201cThese divisive and un-American training exercises have no place in our military and demonstrate an alarming lack of focus at the Air Force Academy. The Air Force Academy ought to teach future airmen to revere our nation\u2019s traditions and values, not to have contempt for them. The USAFA\u2019s increasing politicization is damaging the institution\u2019s reputation, along with the reputation of the U.S. Air Force as a whole.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found below.\n\nSeptember 22, 2022\n\nLieutenant General Richard M. Clark\n\nSuperintendent, United States Air Force Academy\n\n2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 3100\n\nUSAF Academy, CO 80840-5002\n\nDear Lieutenant General Clark,\n\nI write to express my deep concern with reports that the Air Force Academy recently forced cadets under your command to attend \u201cdiversity and inclusion\u201d training sessions. Cadets were reportedly instructed to refrain from using terms such as, \u201cboyfriend\u201d and \u201cgirlfriend\u201d or \u201cmom\u201d and \u201cdad,\u201d and instead use terms that \u201cinclude all gender.\u201d The training also condemns the use of the term \u201ccolorblind\u201d or the claim that a someone does not \u201csee color.\u201d Even the term \u201cterrorist\u201d was deemed inappropriate.\n\n\u201cThese divisive and un-American training exercises have no place in our military and demonstrate an alarming lack of focus at the Air Force Academy. The Air Force Academy ought to teach future airmen to revere our nation\u2019s traditions and values, not to have contempt for them. The USAFA\u2019s increasing politicization is damaging the institution\u2019s reputation, along with the reputation of the U.S. Air Force as a whole.\u201d\n\nGiven these concerns, please respond to the following questions by October 3, 2022.\n\n1.Can you confirm that the aforementioned training took place?\n\n2.How many cadets were subjected to this training?\n\n3.How much money does USAFA spend on similar \u201cdiversity\u201d training?\n\n4.Is it the official position of the USAFA that gendered language, such as \u201cmom\u201d and \u201cdad,\u201d is offensive or should be avoided by cadets?\n\n5.Is it the official position of the USAFA that terms advocating for equal treatment on the basis of race, such as \u201ccolorblind,\u201d are offensive and should be avoided by cadets?\n\n6.Is it the official position of the USAFA that the term \u201cterrorist\u201d is offensive and should be avoided by cadets?\n\nSincerely,\n\nSenator Tom Cotton", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-unveils-bill-to-lower-college-tuition-cost-reform-student-loans", "Cotton Unveils Bill to Lower College Tuition Cost, Reform Student Loans", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 20, 2022\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Student Loan Reform Act of 2022, a bill that will reduce the cost of tuition by holding colleges financially responsible for the loans they encourage students to take.\n\nSpecifically, the bill requires that colleges become guarantors of up to 50 percent of future federal student loans and fines colleges 25 percent of the value of future defaulted loans. This will force colleges to have a financial stake in their student\u2019s success, strongly incentivizing them to offer reasonably priced and useful degree programs.\n\nThe bill will also force any university charging over $20,000 a year for undergraduate tuition to gradually eliminate 50 percent of their administrative staff to qualify for future student loans. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cAmerica does have a student loan problem. But it\u2019s not the problem Joe Biden wants you to believe it is. The real issue with student debt today is that the cost of college tuition has skyrocketed, yet the value of a college diploma has plummeted. What\u2019s worse is the federal government created this problem by writing blank checks to colleges, with little effort to control the cost or quality of higher education. My Student Loan Reform Act of 2022 would end this academic Gilded Age, reduce the cost of tuition, and give colleges a much-needed reality check,\u201d wrote Cotton.\n\nA brief overview of the bill is below.\n\nBackground:\n\n\u00b7 The Federal student loan program has incentivized colleges to raise tuition and students to take on unsustainable amounts of debt.\n\n\u00b7 The higher education bureaucracy has increased 616% from 1976 to 2018, compared to only a 78% increase in student enrollment.\n\n\u00b7 Student loan debt has grown to a staggering $1.7 trillion\u2014putting an enormous risk on taxpayers \u2013 while colleges have faced no consequences if their graduates fail to pay their loans.\n\nThe bill would:\n\n\u00b7 Require any university with undergraduate tuition fees above $20,000 to gradually eliminate up to 50% of their administrative staff to be eligible for future student loans, excluding religious colleges and medical colleges\n\n\u00b7 Require the richest private colleges to distribute at least five percent of their endowment to support their educational mission per year, or else face a penalty\n\n\u00b7 Penalize universities up to 25% of a borrower\u2019s loan for every one of their students who defaults on student loans\n\n\u00b7 Require universities to act as loan guarantor for up to 50% of any future federal student loans\n\n\u00b7 Place a luxury tax of 20% on annual undergraduate tuition fees above $40,000 with the funds raised being used for workforce training, excluding religious colleges and medical colleges\n\n\u00b7 Eliminate Plus loans, except for medical and dental students and parents of undergraduates, who would have loans capped at a $10,000 loan per year\n\n\u00b7 Require universities to implement admission and hiring policies that protect political and ideological diversity on campus\n\n\u00b7 Ban universities from soliciting FASFA paperwork from families who choose not to use financial aid\n\n\u00b7 Levy a one-percent tax on the fair market value of endowments held by the richest private colleges. The tax would apply to private colleges that 1) have more than 500 full-time enrolled students, 2) have endowments worth more than $2.5 billion and $500,000 per full-time enrolled student, 3) do not have a religious mission.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-warns-apple-not-to-do-business-with-dangerous-chinese-chipmaker", "Cotton Warns Apple Not To Do Business With Dangerous Chinese Chipmaker", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orJames Arnold (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 15, 2022\n\nCotton Warns Apple Not To Do Business With Dangerous Chinese Chipmaker\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter today to Apple CEO Tim Cook warning him of the dangers that using chips from Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC) in Apple products poses to U.S. national security, consumer data security, and to Apple\u2019s reputation and shareholders. The letter requested answers on why Apple made this reckless decision and what steps Apple planned to take to protect the United States and American consumers from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\nIn part, the senator wrote:\n\n\u201cI urge you to rethink Apple\u2019s decision to do business with YMTC. If Apple continues to court untrustworthy Chinese companies like YMTC, it will do grave harm to its shareholders, its customers, and our country. As there is bipartisan support to address the threat posed by YMTC, I must stress for you and your shareholders the risks of this partnership with an entity that may soon be the target of U.S. government action.\u201d\n\nFull letter of the text may be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 15, 2022\n\nMr. Tim Cook\n\nChief Executive Officer\n\nApple Inc.\n\nOne Apple Park Way\n\nCupertino, CA 95014\n\nDear Mr. Cook,\n\nI write regarding Apple\u2019s ill-advised plans to do business with a dangerous Chinese chipmaker, Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC).\n\nYMTC is a key player in the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP) campaign to dominate the semiconductor industry. YMTC has seized market share thanks to an estimated $24 billion in government subsidies. These subsidies have allowed YMTC to poach engineers and sell its flash-memory products below cost, to the detriment of firms in the United States and allied countries. YMTC also collaborates with Chinese companies sanctioned by the U.S. government for human rights abuses and collaboration with the People\u2019s Liberation Army (PLA) on military-modernization projects. As a result, members of Congress from both parties have called on the Biden administration to add YMTC to the Entity List, and the Commerce Department may blacklist the company.\n\nChina has made great strides in strategic sectors like semiconductors due to subsidies and outright theft, but so far, its national champions lack legitimacy\u2014and rightfully so. Your company\u2019s decision may change that.\n\nI urge you to rethink Apple\u2019s decision to do business with YMTC. Apple and far too many other American companies already rely on China for manufacturing and supplies. Adding another Chinese company to Apple\u2019s supply chain, particularly one with close ties to the CCP and PLA, compounds these risks. If Apple continues to court untrustworthy Chinese companies like YMTC, it will do grave harm to its shareholders, its customers, and our country. As there is bipartisan support to address the threat posed by YMTC, I must stress for you and your shareholders the risks of this partnership with an entity that may soon be the target of U.S. government action.\n\nWith these concerns in mind, I request that you answer the following questions:\n\n1.Can Apple confirm that their products using YMTC chips will not be available for purchase in the U.S. market or through any e-commerce platform available in the United States? If not, what safeguards does Apple have in place to protect U.S. national security and consumer data security from the CCP?\n\n2.Did Chinese authorities require Apple to use YMTC\u2019s chips as part of its new iPhone 14? If not, on what basis did Apple make its decision to use YMTC chips, despite the threat posed by YMTC?\n\n3.How did YMTC\u2019s ties to companies sanctioned for human rights abuses factor into Apple\u2019s decision?\n\n4.Have members of Apple senior leadership considered the risk resulting from Apple making itself reliant on an entity that is likely the target of future U.S. government action?\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-the-21st-anniversary-of-9/11", "Cotton Statement on the 21st Anniversary of 9/11", "2022-09-11", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 11, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on the 21st Anniversary of 9/11\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the 21st anniversary of the September 11th attacks:\n\n\u201cOn this anniversary of 9/11 we again remember the 3,000 Americans murdered on that infamous day, the first responders who gave all to save them, and the brave veterans who fought to avenge their deaths over the years. We have rebuilt what those terrorists destroyed, and we have killed or captured the leaders they served. Al Qaeda sought to break America, but it failed; America endures and al Qaeda retreats. We will never forget those we lost, and we will remain vigilant that it never happens again.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-bill-overhauls-workforce-education", "Cotton Bill Overhauls Workforce Education", "2022-09-08", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 8, 2022\n\nCotton Bill Overhauls Workforce Education\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced the American Workforce Act, a bill that overhauls workforce education. The legislation provides high school graduates with a 9,000-dollar workforce training voucher, used to participate in education programs designed by employers for jobs in their industry.\n\nVouchers would be paid for in part by taxing wealthy private college endowments. Bill text is here.\n\n\u201cFor decades, the federal government has spent billions propping up bloated colleges that serve\u2014often poorly\u2014a minority of our citizens. Meanwhile, the majority of Americans, who don\u2019t go to college, are left behind. In fact, the federal government spends eight times more on college for the few than it does on job training for the many. My bill will right that wrong by investing heavily in a new workforce education strategy to help working Americans get ahead,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cThe often well-meaning but also self-serving embrace by elites of College-for-All has done untold damage to American workers and families. The American Workforce Act is a landmark proposal on the path to a better education system that offers many tickets besides college to the middle class,\u201d said Oren Cass, executive director of American Compass.\n\nClick here to view a bill summary\u2014a brief overview is below.\n\nBackground:\n\nFor decades, policymakers have largely ignored non-college workforce education. Meanwhile, college completion rates have stagnated while average college costs have grown to a staggering $35,331 per student with the collective student debt burden nearing $2 trillion.\n\nThe mounting cost of tuition has been matched by an ever more bloated higher education bureaucracy, which has increased 616% from 1976 to 2018, compared to only a 78% increase in student enrollment.\n\nThere are alternatives to college education, but the federal government\u2019s approach to non-collegiate workforce education is outdated and government-led.\n\nA new model for vocational education must not only focus on funding, but also put the employer at the center of workforce training, keep requirements flexible and simple, and ensure that spending follows the workers to maximize their choices.\n\nThe bill would:\n\nCreate a $9,000 federal voucher available to prospective \u201ctrainees,\u201d defined as any citizen with a high school degree/GED, but without a bachelor\u2019s degree or higher.\n\nOffer an additional $1,000 bonus to employers for each trainee that is hired after completion of the workforce training program.\n\nRequire participating employers to provide training for positions paid at least 80% of the local median household income.\n\nAllow the voucher to subsidize employer-led workforce training that offers a full time, paid position combining on-the-job experience and skilled workforce training.\n\nGive employers wide flexibility to build their own training programs or delegate the training to a valid third-party entity, such as a trade association, community college, high school, non-profit, or union.\n\nRequire e-verify at participating employers.\n\nLevy a one-percent tax on the fair market value of endowments held by private colleges that 1) have more than 500 full-time enrolled students, 2) have endowments worth more than $2.5 billion and $500,000 per full-time enrolled student, 3) do not have a religious mission.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-death-of-queen-elizabeth-ii", "Cotton Statement on Death of Queen Elizabeth II", "2022-09-08", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 8, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Death of Queen Elizabeth II\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the death of Queen Elizabeth II:\n\n\u201cAnna and I join all Arkansans in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and expressing our deepest condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and the Royal Family.\n\nThe Queen embodied the highest standards of duty, service, and sacrifice for the nation throughout her life. As a young teenage girl in World War II, she inspired the British people during her nation\u2019s darkest hour and she ultimately joined the British Army. During her remarkable seventy-year reign, she advised fifteen different prime ministers, beginning with Winston Churchill. Her reign coincided with fourteen different presidents and ushered in a golden age in the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, an unparalleled alliance for freedom in the annals of history. At every turn, Her Majesty always put her people and her nation above herself, setting an example for the ages of graceful and selfless service.\n\nMay Her Majesty rest in peace and may her legacy always guide the living.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-urge-against-return-to-biased-wto-dispute-settlement-body", "Cotton, Colleagues Urge Against Return to Biased WTO Dispute Settlement Body", "2022-08-30", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 30, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Urge Against Return to Biased WTO Dispute Settlement Body\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) today sent a letter to USTR Representative Katherine Tai urging her to keep the resurrection of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body out of any dispute settlement reform negotiations at the WTO.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cWe are writing to express our deep concern with your comments indicating American cooperation in reassembling the WTO\u2019s appellate body. As you may know, the United States has blocked new members to the appellate body since 2011, when the Obama Administration blocked an appointment, citing the WTO\u2019s failure to protect American interests. The Trump Administration followed in this tradition. This rare bipartisan agreement was the result of a clear and consistent pattern of the WTO intentionally undermining American sovereignty, while enriching the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\nThe trade laws of the United States have been subject to more challenges than any other WTO Member and roughly a quarter of all disputes involve U.S. trade policy. The variety of ways in which the Appellate Body has failed to live up to its intended purpose was cataloged in a 2020 report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)\u2026\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nAugust 29, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Katherine Tai\n\nUnited States Trade Representative\n\n600 17th Street NW\n\nWashington, DC 20508\n\nDear Ambassador Tai:\n\nWe are writing to express our deep concern with your comments indicating American cooperation in reassembling the WTO\u2019s appellate body. As you may know, the United States has blocked new members to the appellate body since 2011, when the Obama Administration blocked an appointment, citing the WTO\u2019s failure to protect American interests. The Trump Administration followed in this tradition. This rare bipartisan agreement was the result of a clear and consistent pattern of the WTO intentionally undermining American sovereignty, while enriching the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\n\nThe trade laws of the United States have been subject to more challenges than any other WTO Member and roughly a quarter of all disputes involve U.S. trade policy. The variety of ways in which the Appellate Body has failed to live up to its intended purpose was cataloged in a 2020 report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which demonstrated that the Appellate Body has:\n\n\u00b7Repeatedly ignored the mandatory deadline for deciding appeals,\n\n\u00b7Allowed Appellate Body members whose term has expired to continue deciding appeals,\n\n\u00b7Made findings on issues of fact, including issues relating to the domestic law of WTO Members, although Members authorized it to only address legal issues,\n\n\u00b7Insisted that dispute settlement panels treat prior Appellate Body interpretations effectively as binding precedent,\n\n\u00b7Failed to apply WTO agreements in a manner that adheres to their text (as negotiated and agreed to by WTO Members), while filling in perceived \"gaps\" in agreements to impose new requirements on the United States to which we never agreed.\n\nIn so doing, the Appellate Body has infringed on our sovereign laws and strayed far from the limited role that WTO members assigned to it.\n\nThe Appellate Body is not only harmful, it is also corrupted by CCP influence. WTO rules require Appellate Body members to be \u201cunaffiliated with any government,\u201d yet Chinese nationals are allowed to become members. The Chinese Communist Party\u2019s complete control of power in the PRC means it can coerce and intimidate any PRC national into following its will.\n\nMoreover, a recent Appellate Body member from the PRC appears to have had \u2013 and concealed \u2013 an improper continued role working for the PRC government. PRC nationals will be forced to do the bidding of the CCP if they want to, or not. The CCP shouldn\u2019t get a vote on the WTO Appellate Body when it is the primary threat to free and fair trade around the world.\n\nEven without the Appellate Body, the WTO\u2019s dispute settlement process can remain a useful resource for U.S. policymakers.\n\nWTO panel decisions can still be issued and may have persuasive effect through their force of reasoning. To the extent such decisions can be effectively blocked by appealing to an Appellate Body that no longer exists, this fact has allowed WTO members to regain a measure of sovereignty. And, of course, to the extent Members want to agree to truly binding dispute settlement, they have numerous options to do so \u2013 including, for example, an agreement not to appeal the results of a panel decision.\n\nRestoring the Appellate Body would only do harm to the United States and give international bureaucrats and members of the CCP more influence over U.S. trade policy. We ask you to continue blocking the appointment of new Appellate Body members.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-courts-blocking-of-arkansas-transgender-youth-law", "Cotton Statement on Court\u2019s Blocking of Arkansas Transgender Youth Law", "2022-08-25", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 25, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Court\u2019s Blocking of Arkansas Transgender Youth Law\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a hold on Arkansas\u2019s law to ban transgender medical interventions for children:\n\n\u201cOur legislature voted to protect kids from experimental drugs and surgeries that could permanently damage their health and well-being. By blocking this law again, the court has kept the fate of Arkansas\u2019s children in the hands of liberal activists who support \u2018sex-changes\u2019 for children.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-will-offer-alternative-to-student-loan-bailout-plan", "Cotton Will Offer Alternative to Student Loan Bailout Plan", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 24, 2022\n\nCotton Will Offer Alternative to Student Loan Bailout Plan\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after President Biden announced his plan to \u201cforgive\u201d student loan debt.\n\n\u201cThere is no such thing as student loan forgiveness\u2014this is a bailout, paid for by the large majority of Americans who never went to college or who responsibly paid off their debts. Even worse, President Biden\u2019s plan ignores the true culprit: bloated, self-serving colleges. I\u2019ll be introducing a bill to hold these colleges accountable for debt, lower tuition, support non-college career paths, and save the taxpayers billions.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-amendment-targets-fentanyl-variants", "Cotton Amendment Targets Fentanyl Variants", "2022-08-06", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 6, 2022\n\nCotton Amendment Targets Fentanyl Variants\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced an amendment to the upcoming budget reconciliation spending bill that would eliminate the expiration date on the Drug Enforcement Agency\u2019s (DEA) emergency scheduling of fentanyl analogues to allow for permanent control of these deadly substances.\n\nAmendment text may be found here.\n\n\u201cThe DEA\u2019s emergency scheduling of all new fentanyl variants helps stop the flow of the fentanyl analogues drug cartels are using to skirt our laws. But to stop the drug crisis from getting worse and provide law enforcement the real tools they need to get these drugs off our streets, we must make their fentanyl scheduling permanent,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nBackground:\n\nSenator Cotton has previously introduced bills to permanently schedule fentanyl in 2021 and 2022, but Democrats have blocked their passage.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-amendment-trades-dhs-green-funding-for-ice-detention", "Cotton Amendment Trades DHS \u201cGreen\u201d Funding for ICE Detention", "2022-08-06", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Caroline Tabler (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 6, 2022\n\nCotton Amendment Trades DHS \u201cGreen\u201d Funding for ICE Detention\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced an amendment to the upcoming budget reconciliation bill that would cut $500 million currently allocated by the bill to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for \u201csustainability and environmental programs.\u201d The amendment then directs $400 million to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detaining single, adult criminal aliens.\n\nAmendment text may be found here.\n\n\u201cThis bill funnels $500 million to DHS for something completely unrelated to its mission: doing the bidding of environmental activists. My amendment would take the Democrats\u2019 green bucks and give it instead to our officers at ICE so they can get the illegal-immigration crisis under control,\u201d said Cotton.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-about-delayed-missile-test-launch", "Cotton Demands Answers About Delayed Missile Test Launch", "2022-08-04", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 4, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers About Delayed Missile Test Launch\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding answers about reports that a routine missile test launch was delayed or canceled.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cI\u2019ve heard reliable reports that this week\u2019s routine test launch of a Minuteman III missile was delayed or canceled. If accurate, this would be the second termination since February, when Russia invaded Ukraine.\u201d\n\n\u201cAre these reports accurate? If so, how long does the administration intend to allow Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to dictate our missile-test schedule?\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Lloyd. J. Austin\n\nSecretary of Defense\n\n1000 Defense Pentagon\n\nWashington, DC 20301-1000\n\nSecretary Austin,\n\nI\u2019ve heard reliable reports that this week\u2019s routine test launch of a Minuteman III missile was delayed or canceled. If accurate, this would be the second termination since February, when Russia invaded Ukraine.\n\nAre these reports accurate? If so, how long does the administration intend to allow Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to dictate our missile-test schedule?\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-cotton-rep-kustoff-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-stop-contraband-cellphone-use-in-prisons", "Senator Cotton, Rep. Kustoff, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Stop Contraband Cellphone Use in Prisons", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 3, 2022\n\nSenator Cotton, Rep. Kustoff, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Stop Contraband Cellphone Use in Prisons\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act, legislation to prevent contraband cellphone use in federal and state prison facilities by allowing state and federal prisons to use cell phone jamming systems. Senators James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) are original co-sponsors of the bill. Representative David Kustoff (R-Tennessee) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House Of Representatives. Text of the bill may be found here.\n\nThe Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act gives state and federal prisons the authority to implement a jamming system to protect inmates, guards, and the public at large.\n\n\"Prisoners have used contraband cell phones to direct illegal activities outside prison walls, including hits on rivals, sex trafficking, drug operations, and business deals. Cellphone jamming devices can stop this but the Federal Communications Act doesn't allow facilities to use this technology. My bill would fix this problem so that criminals serve their time without posing a threat to the general public,\" said Cotton.\n\n\u201cCell phones are being slipped into jails and prisons, but federal policy prevents local law enforcement from jamming the cell signal. That needs to stop,\u201d said Lankford. \u201cAfter years of work and conversations with law enforcement, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Justice, and Oklahoma prison leadership, we finally have a bill to allow states to jam illegal cell phones in their prisons to prevent prisoners from contacting their victims or coordinating even more crime while they are incarcerated. This bill simply allows state and federal prisons to use cell phone jammers to ensure they have the tools they need to combat illegal activity in a prison.\u201d\n\n\"In correctional facilities across our country, inmates are using contraband cell phones to conduct illegal activities, including running drug operations, facilitating sex trafficking, and organizing escapes,\u201d said Kustoff.\u201cThese contraband cell phones are a major problem and Congress must take action to protect the public from dangerous criminals who continue their illegal activities behind bars. I am pleased to join Senators Cotton and Graham in reintroducing this important bill that will keep our communities in West Tennessee and the United States safe.\"\n\nThis legislation is supported by the Correctional Leaders Association, the Council of Prison Locals, the American Correctional Association, the National Sheriff\u2019s Association, and the Major County Sheriffs of America.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe use of contraband cellphones is widespread in both federal and state prison facilities. Inmates have used contraband cellphones to conduct illegal activities, including ordering hits on individuals outside of the prison walls, running illegal drug operations, conducting illegal business deals, facilitating sex trafficking, and organizing escapes which endanger correctional employees, other inmates, and members of the public.\n\nIn 2018, a gang fight over territory using cellphones to trade contraband sparked a brawl inside the Lee Correctional Institution near Bishopville, South Carolina, and left seven inmates dead and 20 injured.\n\nBureau of Prisons Correctional officer Lt. Osvaldo Albarati was murdered in 2013 for interrupting an illicit contraband cellphone business. His actual assassination was initiated by an inmate using a contraband cellphone to contact the gunman as outlined in the indictment.\n\nA 2018 report showed an FCI Fort Dix inmate arranged murder and assault from a smuggled phone in a Jersey prison.\n\nContraband cell phones aren't only allowing violent criminals to continue their nefarious activities. In 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported that Martin Shkreli, the disgraced pharmaceutical executive sentenced to seven years for securities fraud, was still making decisions at Phoenixus AG through the use of a contraband cellphone.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-demand-biden-deny-iranian-president-raisi-visa-to-new-york", "Cotton, Colleagues Demand Biden Deny Iranian President Raisi Visa to New York", "2022-08-02", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 2, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Demand Biden Deny Iranian President Raisi Visa to New York\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden demanding that he deny visas for Iranian President Raisi and his delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cRaisi\u2019s involvement in mass murder and the Iranian regime\u2019s campaign to assassinate U.S. officials on American soil make allowing Raisi and his henchmen to enter our country an inexcusable threat to national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cIf recent reports are true that Raisi plans to attend the UN General Assembly, the White House must deny Raisi and other Iranian officials visas to attend. Allowing Raisi to travel to the United States\u2014while his agents actively work to assassinate senior American officials on U.S. soil\u2014would gravely endanger our national security, given the likely presence of IRGC agents in the Iranian delegation,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe urge you to deny visas for Iranian President Raisi and his delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September. Raisi\u2019s involvement in mass murder and the Iranian regime\u2019s campaign to assassinate U.S. officials on American soil make allowing Raisi and his henchmen to enter our country an inexcusable threat to national security.\n\nRaisi\u2019s record as a violator of human rights is long-standing and clear. In 1988, while deputy prosecutor of Tehran, Raisi served on a Death Commission which sentenced approximately 5,000 prisoners to death, including women and children, without the right to appeal or a fair trial. Raisi is proud of his record; in 2018, he defended the commission, calling it \u201cdivine punishment\u201d and \u201cone of the proud achievements of the system.\u201d In the decades since, Raisi continued to subject the Iranian people to extrajudicial prosecution, torture, and execution, such as during the 2009 Green Revolution or in his more recent tenure as the head of Iran\u2019s judiciary. Raisi\u2019s role in these gross human rights abuses led the Department of the Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to sanction him in 2019, pursuant to Executive Order 13876.\n\nWhile Raisi continues the regime\u2019s wave of repression at home, agents of Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, plot to assassinate current and former senior U.S. officials in the United States. In March, the Washington Examiner reported that the Department of Justice had indictable evidence that IRGC Quds Force operatives were planning to assassinate former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton. The IRGC has reportedly been plotting similar efforts against former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie, and other former officials. According to news reports earlier this month, the IRGC is also targeting current U.S. officials as part of its assassination campaign.\n\nIf recent reports are true that Raisi plans to attend the UN General Assembly, the White House must deny Raisi and other Iranian officials visas to attend. Allowing Raisi to travel to the United States\u2014while his agents actively work to assassinate senior American officials on U.S. soil\u2014would gravely endanger our national security, given the likely presence of IRGC agents in the Iranian delegation. Furthermore, granting a mass murderer like Raisi a visa to enter our country would also legitimize his repression. It is a risk we cannot and should not take.\n\nThere is strong precedent for denying an entry visa to foreign leaders. In 1988, the United States barred PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat from entering the United States to attend a meeting of the United Nations. In 2014, President Obama denied an entry visa to Iranian UN Ambassador Hamid Aboutalebi, who was involved in taking American diplomats hostage in 1979. In 2020, the United States declined to issue a visa for Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Ebrahim Raisi\u2019s role in the regime\u2019s human rights abuses and Iran\u2019s continuing efforts to murder American officials should more than disqualify him from receiving a visa to the United States.\n\nThank you for considering this important matter of national security.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-tuberville-introduce-bill-to-prohibit-the-chinese-communist-party-from-purchasing-american-land", "Cotton, Tuberville Introduce Bill to Prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from Purchasing American Land", "2022-08-02", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 2, 2022\n\nCotton, Tuberville Introduce Bill to Prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from Purchasing American Land\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) today introduced the Securing America\u2019s Land from Foreign Interference Act to prohibit members of the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing any land in the United States. Text of the bill may be found here.\n\n\u201cChinese investments in American farmland put our food security at risk and provide opportunities for Chinese espionage against our military bases and critical infrastructure. Instead of allowing these purchases, the U.S. government must bar the Communist Party from purchasing our land,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cWe cannot continue giving our top adversary a foot in the door to purchase land in the United States and undermine our national security,\u201d said Tuberville. \u201cI hope my colleagues will recognize the importance of our bill and join the effort to prohibit Chinese Communist Party involvement in America\u2019s agriculture industry.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\n\u2022 China\u2019s agricultural investments in countries around the globe grew more than tenfold from 2009 to 2016. China\u2019s Ministry of Agriculture claims the country had over 1,300 agricultural, forestry, and fisheries enterprises with registered overseas investments of $26 billion, at the end of 2016.\n\n\u2022 Chinese investments in U.S. agricultural may provide the CCP with undue leverage over U.S. supply chains and access to sensitive information critical to U.S. national security.\n\n\u2022 While Chinese entities held slightly less than one percent of all foreign-held acres in the U.S. in 2020, the volume of their holdings increased dramatically over the last decade. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports, Chinese investors\u2019 holdings of U.S. agricultural land surged from 13,720 acres in 2010 to 352,140 acres in 2020.\n\n\u2022 The USDA\u2019s most recent report on foreign landholding through December 31, 2020 shows foreign investors now hold an interest in nearly 37.6 million acres of agricultural land in the U.S.\u2014an area larger than the state of Iowa.\n\n\u2022 Approximately 14 states have some level of foreign ownership restriction yet there are no federal restrictions on the amount of private U.S. agricultural land that can be foreign owned.\n\n\u2022 Land grabbing by foreign actors will become a greater threat in the coming years. With an aging population of American farmers (one-third over the age of 65), millions of acres in U.S. farmland are expected to change hands in the next decade.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-accepting-service-academy-nominations", "Cotton Accepting Service Academy Nominations", "2022-08-01", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 1, 2022\n\nCotton Accepting Service Academy Nominations\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) announced today that he is accepting applications for service academy nominations. In order to be considered for a nomination, materials must be submitted by Monday, November 1, 2022.\n\n\"Students who attend U.S. service academies and go on to serve their country in uniform are the pride of Arkansas, and I encourage each young Arkansan with a sincere interest to apply,\" Cotton said.\n\nInterested students can find the application, along with information on eligibility and other requirements, here. Please contact Nicole Millar (501) 223-9081 for any additional questions.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-demand-answers-about-bidens-proposed-title-ix-gender-identity-rule-in-schools", "Cotton, Colleagues Demand Answers About Biden\u2019s Proposed Title IX \u201cGender Identity\u201d Rule in Schools", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 28, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Demand Answers About Biden\u2019s Proposed Title IX \u201cGender Identity\u201d Rule in Schools\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona demanding answers about the Department of Education\u2019s intention to include \u201cgender identity\u201d as a protected category under Title IX.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cThe Biden administration claims that Title IX, which was written to provide equal opportunities to women, protects men claiming to be women on the basis of their \u201cgender identity.\u201d Consequently, your department has suggested that schools which prohibit males from using women\u2019s bathrooms or playing women\u2019s sports could be guilty of unlawful \u201cdiscrimination.\u201d Your interpretation of Title IX will undermine that law\u2019s very purpose by making schools and sports unsafe and unfair for women and girls.\u201d\n\n\u201cEqually disturbing is the likelihood that your department will weaponize Title IX to force a radical gender ideology in K-12 classrooms. A number of troubling incidents suggest how your interpretation of Title IX could erode women\u2019s rights, free-speech rights, parental rights, and children\u2019s safety and innocence,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Miguel Cardona\n\nAttn: Title IX Rulemaking\n\nSecretary of Education\n\nDepartment of Education Building\n\n400 Maryland Ave, SW\n\nWashington, DC 20202\n\nDear Secretary Cardona,\n\nWe write regarding the Department of Education\u2019s intention to unlawfully include \u201cgender identity\u201d as a protected category under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. \u00a7 1681). The Biden administration claims that Title IX, which was written to provide equal opportunities to women, protects men claiming to be women on the basis of their \u201cgender identity.\u201d Consequently, your department has suggested that schools which prohibit males from using women\u2019s bathrooms or playing women\u2019s sports could be guilty of unlawful \u201cdiscrimination.\u201d Your interpretation of Title IX will undermine that law\u2019s very purpose by making schools and sports unsafe and unfair for women and girls.\n\nEqually disturbing is the likelihood that your department will weaponize Title IX to force a radical gender ideology in K-12 classrooms. A number of troubling incidents suggest how your interpretation of Title IX could erode women\u2019s rights, free-speech rights, parental rights, and children\u2019s safety and innocence. Given these concerns, please respond to the following questions by Monday, August 15, 2022.\n\n1.A middle school in Wisconsin recently filed a complaint under Title IX against three students for choosing not to refer to another student by her preferred pronouns. Would it be a potential violation of Title IX for a student to refuse to call someone by pronouns that do not correspond to their biological sex?\n\n2.A school in Virginia suspended a teacher, Tanner Cross, for refusing to use a child\u2019s \u201cpreferred\u201d pronouns and cited Title IX as one justification. Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX for a school employee to refuse to refer to a student or colleague by their preferred name or pronouns? If yes, would teachers with religious or conscientious objections be given an exemption?\n\n3.When Florida passed a law to protect K-3 students from inappropriate classroom instruction, you implied it might run afoul of Title IX. Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX for a school, district, or state to limit a school employee\u2019s ability to discuss \u201cgender identity\u201d with young children? Would it be a potential violation of Title IX for any school, district, or state to discipline a teacher\u2019s or school employee\u2019s discussion of the aforementioned topic with young children?\n\n4.Would it be a potential violation of Title IX for any school, district, or state to refuse to provide puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to \u201caffirm\u201d a students\u2019 \u201cgender identity\u201d at a school health clinic?\n\n5.In order to comply with the Obama administration\u2019s \u201cDear Colleague letter\u201d on Title IX, a Chicago public school chose to treat a girl as a boy and override the parents\u2019 expressed wish to treat their daughter according to her biological sex. Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX to treat a child according to their biological sex if the parents requested this, but the child preferred a different \u201cgender identity\u201d?\n\n6.An alarming number of schools deceive parents about their child\u2019s \u201cgender transition\u201d by withholding information about their child\u2019s \u201cgender identity.\u201d Your proposed rules favorably cite policies from California and Washoe County, Nevada, which forbid school staff from notifying parents about their child\u2019s \u201cgender identity.\u201d Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX for a school employee or student to notify or inform parents about their child\u2019s \u201cgender transition\u201d or alleged \u201cgender identity\u201d?\n\n7.The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act guarantees parents\u2019 \u201cright to inspect and review the education records their children.\u201d Under your proposed rule, would a school be allowed to deny parents access to a child\u2019s educational records, including sensitive information about their purported \u201cgender identity,\u201d for any reason? Under what circumstances could a school deny parents their right to inspect and review their children\u2019s records?\n\n8.In Loudon County, Virginia, a girl was raped in the girl\u2019s bathroom by a boy who \u201cidentifies\u201d as \u201cgender fluid.\u201d Would it be \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d or a potential violation of Title IX to deny a boy who claimed a different \u201cgender identity\u201d access to the girl\u2019s bathroom?\n\n9.A male student at the University of Pennsylvania who claims to be a woman, Lia Thomas, has caused discomfort through his presence and behavior in the women\u2019s locker room. Would it be discriminatory or a violation of Title IX to deny a boy who claimed a \u201cgender identity\u201d that did not correspond with his biological sex to use a girl\u2019s locker room?\n\n10.You have claimed that your proposed rule will not address women\u2019s sports, yet your agency appears to be enforcing Title IX to effectively end women\u2019s sports teams. Last June, your department signed onto a statement of interest, led by the Department of Justice, arguing that West Virginia\u2019s law to prevent biological males from participating in female athletics is a violation of Title IX. Would it be a violation of Title IX to deny a biological male who claimed a \u201cgender identity\u201d that did not correspond with his biological sex to join a women\u2019s sports team?\n\nThank you for your attention to this important manner.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-asks-blackrock-to-explain-its-inadequate-response-to-antitrust-concerns-from-esg-scam", "Cotton Asks BlackRock to Explain its Inadequate Response to Antitrust Concerns from ESG Scam", "2022-07-27", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 27, 2022\n\nCotton Asks BlackRock to Explain its Inadequate Response to Antitrust Concerns from ESG Scam\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) last night sent a second letter to Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Inc., reiterating his demand for answers about the firm\u2019s involvement in a scheme to reduce drilling for oil and gas that may violate antitrust law.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cBlackRock\u2019s intimation that it set boundaries when joining CA100+ is unconvincing, as the statement mirrors CA100+\u2019s own language on its website. And if this was a response to my letter, it did not answer my questions.\u201d\n\n\u201cBlackRock\u2019s statement raises additional questions about its commitments to the CA100+ initiative. Many of the commitments investor participants make when joining CA100+ raise potential antitrust issues,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nMr. Larry Fink\n\nChairman and Chief Executive Officer\n\nBlackRock Inc.\n\n55 East 52nd Street\n\nNew York, NY 10055\n\nDear Mr. Fink,\n\nOn July 13, I sent you a letter inquiring about BlackRock\u2019s involvement with Climate Action 100+ (\u201cCA100+\u201d).\n\nThough BlackRock failed to provide my office with a response, it did respond to a request for a statement by \u201cresponsible-investor.com.\u201d BlackRock\u2019s statement to the website was:\n\nBlackRock joined Climate Action 100+ to participate in dialogue with companies and financial institutions on matters important to our clients. As we made clear to CA100+ when we joined, BlackRock acts independently in its investment decisions. We do not co-ordinate investment decisions with any members of Climate Action 100+, and we do not buy, sell, hold or vote our shares together with any Climate Action 100+ signatory. As fiduciaries to our clients, we consistently prioritise the long-term economic interests of our clients above any commitments or pledges not required by law.\n\nBlackRock\u2019s intimation that it set boundaries when joining CA100+ is unconvincing, as the statement mirrors CA100+\u2019s own language on its website. And if this was a response to my letter, it did not answer my questions.\n\nBlackRock\u2019s statement raises additional questions about its commitments to the CA100+ initiative. Many of the commitments investor participants make when joining CA100+ raise potential antitrust issues. For example, based on CA100+\u2019s website:\n\n\u2022\u201cinvestors commit to engaging with at least one of 166 focus companies . . . and to seek commitments on the initiative\u2019s key asks\u201d;\n\n\u2022investors are required to \u201cwork cooperatively with a number of collaborating investors\u201d;\n\n\u2022investors are \u201crequired to share information with the engagement working group and the coordinating investor network\u201d;\n\n\u2022investors are \u201crequired to liaise with relevant network staff and/or lead investors to ensure engagement priorities and ambition are aligned with the goals of the initiative, as well as with the overall collaborative approach\u201d;\n\n\u2022investors are required to \u201cdisclose through a bi-annual survey their engagement plans and priorities over the coming 12 months to ensure strong and concerted action\u201d; and\n\n\u2022investors are required to warn focus companies that \u201cinaction by companies following engagement may result in investors taking further action.\u201d\n\nIn light of these commitments that BlackRock made when becoming a CA100+ \u201cinvestor participant,\u201d please provide answers to the following questions by August 2, 2022:\n\n1.Has BlackRock followed through on its intention to \u201cparticipate in dialogue with companies and financial institutions\u201d as part of the CA100+ initiative? If so, please list each company and financial institution BlackRock engaged in \u201cdialogue\u201d with, and explain what was discussed during such \u201cdialogue.\u201d\n\n2.In light of BlackRock\u2019s insistence that it \u201cacts independently\u201d and \u201cdo[es] not co-ordinate\u201d with other CA100+ members, does BlackRock count itself among the CA100+ \u201cinvestors [that] recognise that unprecedented cross-sector collaboration is required to achieve net zero across the global economy\u201d?\n\n3.Has Blackrock fulfilled the CA100+ commitments listed above? If so, please identify:\n\na.the companies BlackRock has engaged with;\n\nb.the investors BlackRock has collaborated with;\n\nc.the investors BlackRock has shared information with;\n\nd.the investors and network staff BlackRock has liaised with; and\n\ne.the companies BlackRock has threatened with \u201cfurther action.\u201d\n\nIn addition, please provide a copy of all bi-annual surveys BlackRock has prepared for CA100+.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-amendment-to-prohibit-companies-from-expanding-semiconductor-manufacturing-in-china", "Cotton Introduces Amendment to Prohibit Companies from Expanding Semiconductor Manufacturing in China", "2022-07-25", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 25, 2022\n\nCotton Introduces Amendment to Prohibit Companies from Expanding Semiconductor Manufacturing in China\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced an amendment to the CHIPS+ package to prohibit companies that receive federal grants and tax credits from expanding semiconductor production in China. Text of the amendment may be found here.\n\n\u201cWe should be bolstering manufacturing at home\u2014not expanding abroad. My amendment will ensure companies that receive taxpayer funds can\u2019t turn around and build more factories in China,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nThis amendment would:\n\nEliminate loopholes that would allow semiconductor companies to take taxpayer money while expanding production of so-called \u201clegacy semiconductors\u201d in China.\n\nEliminate a \u201cMitigation\u201d process that would allow semiconductor companies to expand advanced semiconductor manufacturing in China and keep CHIPS grant money while keeping taxpayer funds.\n\nProvide a more comprehensive definition of \u201csemiconductor manufacturing\u201d so that companies cannot take taxpayer money and move other parts of their manufacturing supply chains like testing, packaging, and R&D to China.\n\nEliminate other loopholes that companies could use to argue with the Department of Commerce about whether their activities in China disqualify them from receiving taxpayer funds.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-president-bidens-remarks-about-taiwan", "Cotton Statement on President Biden\u2019s Remarks About Taiwan", "2022-07-21", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 21, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on President Biden\u2019s Remarks About Taiwan\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement after President Biden\u2019s comment discouraging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) from visiting Taiwan:\n\n\u201cThis pathetic self-deterrence is a mistake, and it will invite more aggression.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-investigation-into-us-attorneys-apparent-violation-of-hatch-act", "Cotton Demands Investigation into U.S. Attorney\u2019s Apparent Violation of Hatch Act", "2022-07-15", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 15, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Investigation into U.S. Attorney\u2019s Apparent Violation of Hatch Act\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz demanding an investigation into an apparent violation of the Hatch Act by Rachael Rollins, United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cIt has been publicly reported that Ms. Rollins attended a high-dollar political fundraiser at a private home in Andover, Massachusetts yesterday. The fundraiser, which featured First Lady Jill Biden and began during typical business hours, was one that Ms. Rollins attended in her official capacity as United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. She reportedly even used a vehicle with government license plates to travel to and from the event.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Hatch Act expressly prohibits covered federal employees, such as Ms. Rollins, from using their official positions for partisan political purposes, including attending partisan political events in their official capacities. The Hatch Act is intended to prevent the use of official resources for partisan political purposes, but it is also intended to maintain a politically neutral workplace. This is especially true in the context of a United States Attorney, who is supposed to act as a nonpartisan law enforcement official rather than as a partisan politician. Given the apparent blatant violation in this case, I urge you to conduct an investigation into Ms. Rollins\u2019s conduct,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Michael Horowitz, Inspector General\n\nUnited States Department of Justice\n\nOffice of the Inspector General\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530\n\nDear Inspector General Horowitz:\n\nI write regarding a potential Hatch Act violation by Rachael Rollins, United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.\n\nIt has been publicly reported that Ms. Rollins attended a high-dollar political fundraiser at a private home in Andover, Massachusetts yesterday. The fundraiser, which featured First Lady Jill Biden and began during typical business hours, was one that Ms. Rollins attended in her official capacity as United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. She reportedly even used a vehicle with government license plates to travel to and from the event.\n\nThe Hatch Act expressly prohibits covered federal employees, such as Ms. Rollins, from using their official positions for partisan political purposes, including attending partisan political events in their official capacities. The Hatch Act is intended to prevent the use of official resources for partisan political purposes, but it is also intended to maintain a politically neutral workplace. This is especially true in the context of a United States Attorney, who is supposed to act as a nonpartisan law enforcement official rather than as a partisan politician. Given the apparent blatant violation in this case, I urge you to conduct an investigation into Ms. Rollins\u2019s conduct.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-blackrock-about-involvement-with-climate-action-100-potential-antitrust-violations", "Cotton Demands Answers from BlackRock About Involvement with Climate Action 100+, Potential Antitrust Violations", "2022-07-14", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 14, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers from BlackRock About Involvement with Climate Action 100+, Potential Antitrust Violations\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) last night sent a letter to Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Inc., demanding answers about the firm\u2019s involvement in a scheme to reduce drilling for oil and gas that may violate antitrust law.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cBlackRock is an \u2018investor participant\u2019 in Climate Action 100+ (\u2018CA100+\u2019), \u2018an investor-led initiative\u2019 to pressure \u2018the world\u2019s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters [to] take necessary action on climate change\u2019 like, for example, pressuring oil companies to drill for less oil. According to CA100+, \u2018investor participants\u2019 are \u2018signatories to the initiative and are responsible for direct engagements with focus companies\u2019 that directly compete with one another.\u201d\n\n\u201cYour anti-drilling coercion threatens our national security, hurts Americans struggling to buy a tank of gas, and appears to violate antitrust laws. Specifically, by engaging with competing \u2018focus companies,\u2019 CA100+ investor participants appear to be running a spoke-and-hub conspiracy to restrict the supply of fossil fuels and impose various other unlawful restraints on trade. By \u2018collaborating\u2019 with other investors, you and your fellow CA100+ investor participants appear to be acting like a climate cartel,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nMr. Larry Fink\n\nChairman and Chief Executive Officer\n\nBlackRock Inc.\n\n55 East 52nd Street\n\nNew York, NY 10055\n\nDear Mr. Fink,\n\nI'm writing about your involvement in a scheme to reduce drilling for oil and gas.\n\nBlackRock is an \"investor participant\" in Climate Action 100+ (\"CA100+\"), \"an investor-led initiative\" to pressure \"the world's largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters [to] take necessary action on climate change\" like, for example, pressuring oil companies to drill for less oil. According to CA100+, \"investor participants\" are \"signatories to the initiative and are responsible for direct engagements with focus companies\" that directly compete with one another.\n\nYour anti-drilling coercion threatens our national security, hurts Americans struggling to buy a tank of gas, and appears to violate antitrust laws. Specifically, by engaging with competing \"focus companies,\" CA100+ investor participants appear to be running a spoke-and-hub conspiracy to restrict the supply of fossil fuels and impose various other unlawful restraints on trade. By \"collaborating\" with other investors, you and your fellow CA100+ investor participants appear to be acting like a climate cartel.\n\nIn light of the growing concerns about anti-competitive ESG activities, many law firms have begun offering antitrust counsel to clients participating in initiatives like CA100+.\n\nPlease provide answers to the following questions by July 20, 2022:\n\nHas BlackRock engaged with any focus companies as part of the CA100+ initiative? If so, please list each focus company.\n\nHas BlackRock collaborated with any other investor participants as part of the CA100+ initiative? If so, please list each investor participant.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-demand-action-from-biden-administration-against-tiktok", "Cotton, Colleagues Demand Action from Biden Administration Against TikTok", "2022-06-24", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJune 24, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Demand Action from Biden Administration Against TikTok\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Todd Young (R-Indiana), and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen demanding answers about actions the Biden administration is taking to combat the national security risks associated with TikTok, a social media platform developed and owned by Chinese company ByteDance Ltd.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cThe Biden Administration has seemingly done nothing to enforce the August 14 order nearly two years since its promulgation. The results of the security reviews, likewise, have not been publicly released after one year. Instead, news reports indicate TikTok is nearing a deal with a U.S. company to \u2018store its U.S. users\u2019 information without its Chinese parent ByteDance having access to it, hoping to address U.S. regulatory concerns.\u2019\u201d\n\n\u201cThe proposed TikTok deal would do little to address the core security concerns that motivated the August 14 order. That order was not simply concerned about data, but about a Chinese company\u2019s ownership of a social media platform in America. If the Biden Administration focuses solely on data storage and integrity to the exclusion of the critical issue of ByteDance\u2019s ownership, control, and influence of TikTok, serious security risks will remain and the August 14 order will go unenforced,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Janet Yellen\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of the Treasury\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20220\n\nDear Secretary Yellen,\n\nWe write to inquire about the Biden Administration\u2019s delayed response to the national security and privacy risks posed by TikTok, the video-sharing social media platform developed and owned by the Chinese company ByteDance Ltd.\n\nOn August 6, 2020, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order (E.O. 13942) restricting the use of TikTok in the United States. The order noted that the app \u201ccaptures vast swaths of information from its users, including\u2026 location data and browsing and search histories.\u201d TikTok\u2019s data-collection practices threatened to \u201callow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans\u2019 personal and proprietary information\u2014potentially allowing China to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage.\u201d Shortly afterward, ByteDance sued in federal court and secured a preliminary injunction that halted a pending prohibition against downloading the TikTok app.\n\nPresident Trump issued an additional Presidential Order on August 14, 2020 (the August 14 order) directing ByteDance to divest its American assets and destroy any data it acquired through TikTok. The order also blocked ByteDance\u2019s acquisition of another video-sharing social media platform, Musical.ly. The August 14 order was based on \u201ccredible evidence\u201d that the acquisition threatened to \u201cimpair the national security of the United States,\u201d likely including evidence unearthed by a review of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).\n\nOn June 9, 2021, President Joe Biden revoked E.O. 13942 and ordered security reviews of TikTok and similar apps developed in adversary countries. The next month, the Biden Administration petitioned to dismiss ongoing federal litigation against ByteDance. President Biden did not, however, revoke the August 14 Presidential Order requiring ByteDance to divest its American assets, property, and data.\n\nThe Biden Administration has seemingly done nothing to enforce the August 14 order nearly two years since its promulgation. The results of the security reviews, likewise, have not been publicly released after one year. Instead, news reports indicate TikTok is nearing a deal with a U.S. company to \u201cstore its U.S. users\u2019 information without its Chinese parent ByteDance having access to it, hoping to address U.S. regulatory concerns.\u201d\n\nThe proposed TikTok deal would do little to address the core security concerns that motivated the August 14 order. That order was not simply concerned about data, but about a Chinese company\u2019s ownership of a social media platform in America. If the Biden Administration focuses solely on data storage and integrity to the exclusion of the critical issue of ByteDance\u2019s ownership, control, and influence of TikTok, serious security risks will remain and the August 14 order will go unenforced.\n\nPlease answer the following requests in writing:\n\n1. Identify all CFIUS member agencies that are \u201clead\u201d agencies for this matter.\n\n2. Given recent press reporting that TikTok may partner with a U.S. company to store Americans\u2019 data in the United States:\n\na.Are these arrangements part of a CFIUS-ordered plan to address national security risk?\n\nb.Will such arrangements appropriately and adequately effectuate the directives contained in the August 14 order? If so, how?\n\nc.What assurances does the U.S. government have that TikTok will store U.S. data and adopt privacy policies with adequate protections?\n\nd.How will the U.S. government enforce any such data protection and storage arrangements vis-\u00e0-vis an independent third-party U.S. company?\n\ne.What steps will be taken with regard to the storage, protection, and integrity of the extensive U.S. data that has already been acquired by TikTok and ByteDance both prior to and since the August 14 order?\n\nf.Will the United States impose requirements for destruction of data previously acquired and not stored within U.S. jurisdiction, and how will such a requirement be enforced and verified?\n\ng.How will the U.S. government ensure the TikTok app contains no malicious code and does not manipulate information and content? How will this be accomplished and verified on an ongoing basis? If an independent third party is responsible to the U.S. government for these functions, how will any failure to protect Americans and U.S. national security be remedied and enforced? Has the U.S. government considered adequate means of accountability?\n\nh.Will TikTok be locally managed in the United States?\n\ni.If the control and operation of TikTok\u2019s algorithm remains in the Chinese company\u2019s hands, does that mean that U.S. persons\u2019 data will be transferred to China to inform said algorithm?\n\nj.Will the U.S. government have the ability to routinely access and inspect the algorithm\u2019s source code?\n\nk.What safeguards will the United States have to ensure protection of U.S. persons\u2019 data in the event the CCP were to invoke its National Security Law and direct ByteDance to provide U.S. data to the Chinese government?\n\nl.Will only U.S. persons be the officers and employees responsible for all operations and activities of TikTok in the United States? How will the decision-making of U.S. officers and employees be isolated from any and all influence of ByteDance\u2019s officers and employees?\n\n3. If the divestment ordered by the August 14 order will not be effectuated, will the President issue a superseding Presidential or Executive Order?\n\n4. If divestment ordered by the August 14 order is not effectuated, to what extent will ByteDance or other Chinese persons retain ownership or control over TikTok\u2019s operations in the United States? Describe in detail both the ownership and control structure contemplated for TikTok in the United States.\n\n5. Are the actions that CFIUS may be taking to address the threat posed by TikTok being considered and applied by U.S. government agencies to WeChat, Didi, and other Chinese-owned or controlled apps?\n\nPlease respond to these questions no later than July 22. Thank you for your prompt response to this important matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-supreme-courts-dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization-decision", "Cotton Statement on Supreme Court\u2019s Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization Decision", "2022-06-24", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJune 24, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Supreme Court\u2019s Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization Decision\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement regarding the United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization:\n\n\u201cRoe was a tragic mistake, taking from the American people and their elected representatives a deeply moral question. The Supreme Court has finally corrected this mistake and I highly commend the millions of Americans who toiled for years to achieve this great victory for unborn life and self-government.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-banks-introduce-legislation-to-protect-children-from-gender-transition-surgery", "Cotton, Banks Introduce Legislation to Protect Children from \u201cGender-Transition\u201d Surgery", "2022-06-22", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJune 22, 2022\n\nCotton, Banks Introduce Legislation to Protect Children from \u201cGender-Transition\u201d Surgery\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), and Steve Daines (R-Montana) introduced the Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act, legislation to help individuals who suffer from potentially sterilizing gender-transition procedures as minors and to allow them to seek justice in court. Representative Jim Banks (R-Indiana) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cGender-transition procedures aren\u2019t safe or appropriate for children. Unfortunately, radical doctors in the United States perform dangerous, experimental, and even sterilizing gender-transition procedures on young kids, who cannot even provide informed consent. Our bill allows children who grow up to regret these procedures to sue for damages. Any doctor who performs these irresponsible procedures on kids should pay,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration released official guidance recommending irreversible and life-altering surgery for minors too young to apply for a learner\u2019s permit. These procedures lack any solid evidence and have been rejected by public health agencies around the world. Ten years from now, there will be hundreds of thousands of Americans who were permanently scarred by the radical left\u2019s agenda before they reached adulthood. If Democrats truly supported gender-confused children, they\u2019d support our effort to give them legal recourse,\u201d said Banks.\n\nText of the bill may be found here.\n\nThe Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act would:\n\nCreate a private right of action allowing people who have gender-transition procedures performed on them as minors to sue the medical practitioner who performed the procedure.\n\nAllows victims or their legal guardian to sue for declaratory or injunctive relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney\u2019s fees\n\nProvides a 30-year statute of limitation after the age of majority\n\nGender-transition procedures include puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures that change an individual\u2019s body in order to align with an identity at odds with an individual\u2019s biological sex\n\nApplicable to procedures performed after the date of passage of this legislation\n\nClarify that federal law cannot be construed to force medical practitioners to offer such procedures.\n\nProhibit federal health funds from going to states that force medical practitioners to perform gender-transition procedures.\n\nThe legislation is supported by the American Principles Project, Heritage Action, Family Policy Alliance, Family Research Council, Independent Women\u2019s Forum, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Alliance Defending Freedom, ForAmerica, Eagle Forum, CHANGED Movement.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-senate-gun-control-legislation", "Cotton Statement on Senate Gun-Control Legislation", "2022-06-21", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJune 21, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Senate Gun-Control Legislation\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement on the Senate gun-control bill:\n\n\u201cThis bill won\u2019t stop the violent shootings by deranged criminals. But it will restrict the freedoms of law-abiding Americans and put too much power in the hands of politicians and political officials. Stopping gun violence starts with more funding for police and tougher sentences for the criminals who violate gun laws\u2014not taking away due process from law-abiding gun owners.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-action-from-doj-following-violent-attacks-on-crisis-pregnancy-centers-by-pro-abortion-group-janes-revenge", "Cotton Demands Action from DOJ Following Violent Attacks on Crisis Pregnancy Centers by Pro-Abortion Group \u2018Jane\u2019s Revenge\u2019", "2022-06-16", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJune 16, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Action from DOJ Following Violent Attacks on Crisis Pregnancy Centers by Pro-Abortion Group \u2018Jane\u2019s Revenge\u2019\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding that the Department of Justice take action to protect Americans from ongoing violent attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cHouses of worship and pro-life pregnancy centers are under attack.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat is the Department of Justice doing to protect Americans from these violent attacks? At a minimum, you should bring federal charges against the perpetrators, where appropriate, and investigate \u2018Jane\u2019s Revenge\u2019 as a domestic terrorist organization. If you are unwilling to protect Americans from these attacks, you should resign\u2014although, in my opinion, you should resign in any case,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland,\n\nHouses of worship and pro-life pregnancy centers are under attack. The Family Research Council has compiled a list of more than 50 attacks against churches, pro-life pregnancy centers, and other pro-life groups in the past few weeks. A left-wing extremist group called \u201cJane\u2019s Revenge\u201d has taken credit for many of these attacks, including firebombings and grotesque acts of vandalism. The same group has now issued a letter declaring \u201copen season\u201d on all so-called \u201canti-choice\u201d groups, and calls for terrorist attacks against these groups by anyone \u201cwith the urge to paint, to burn, to cut, [or] to jam.\u201d I am appending a list of attacks this group has already claimed at the end of this letter.\n\nWhat is the Department of Justice doing to protect Americans from these violent attacks? At a minimum, you should bring federal charges against the perpetrators, where appropriate, and investigate \u201cJane\u2019s Revenge\u201d as a domestic terrorist organization.\n\nIf you are unwilling to protect Americans from these attacks, you should resign\u2014although, in my opinion, you should resign in any case.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-reduce-gun-violence", "Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Reduce Gun Violence", "2022-06-09", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJune 9, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Reduce Gun Violence\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), John Thune (R-South Dakota) Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), and Todd Young (R-Indiana) introduced the Stop Gun Criminals Act, legislation to increase penalties for felons who illegally possess or use firearms. Text of the bill may be found here.\n\n\u201cViolent felons commit the vast majority of gun crimes and should be held accountable for their actions. Instead of releasing criminals onto the streets to commit more crime, our bill will establish mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nThe Stop Gun Criminals Act would:\n\n\u00b7 Set a minimum sentence of five years for illegally possessing a gun.\n\n\u00b7 Increase the mandatory minimum sentence for serious repeat felons (defined as criminals with at least three prior convictions for crimes that are punishable by 10 years or longer) if they use a gun in the commission of more crimes, increasing the minimum from five years to seven years.\n\no For such criminals who brandish the gun during the crime, the minimum would increase from seven years to 10 years.\n\no For such criminals who actually fire their weapon during the crime, the minimum would increase from 10 years to 15 years.\n\n\u00b7 Make a technical correction to remove the \"residual clause\" from the Armed Career Criminal Act, which was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015 for being unconstitutionally vague.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-unethical-for-white-house-staff-to-forgive-their-own-student-debt", "Cotton: Unethical for White House Staff to \u201cForgive\u201d their Own Student Debt", "2022-06-06", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJune 6, 2022\n\nCotton: Unethical for White House Staff to \u201cForgive\u201d their Own Student Debt\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today called on President Joe Biden to require aides with federal student loan debt to be recused from any discussions about a student loan debt transfer plan.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cPresident Biden promised to \u2018Restore Ethics in Government,\u2019 to prevent \u2018self-enrichment,\u2019 and to \u2018[ensure] that everyone in a position of public trust eliminates even the appearance that their financial holdings could influence decision-making.\u2019\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s hard to imagine a more blatant example of \u2018self-enrichment\u2019 than White House aides with federal student loan debt working to transfer their debts to taxpayers who never attended college,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nTo: WH EOP, Office of Government Ethics, Department of Education\n\nCc: House Ethics Committee, Senate Ethics Committee, OMB\n\nDespite claiming that we are in a strong economy, President Biden has repeatedly delayed repayment of federal student loans. Public reports state that the President is also planning to \u201cforgive\u201d at least $10,000 in federal student loan debt per borrower by transferring these debts to taxpayers. The failure to require repayment has cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and transferring the debt would cost billions more.\n\nBloomberg reported that dozens of White House aides have substantial federal student loan debt[1]. This is a clear conflict of interest, as these aides stand to profit by transferring their debts to taxpayers.\n\nPresident Biden promised to \u201cRestore Ethics in Government,\u201d to prevent \u201cself-enrichment,\u201d and to \u201c[ensure] that everyone in a position of public trust eliminates even the appearance that their financial holdings could influence decision-making[2].\u201d\n\nIt\u2019s hard to imagine a more blatant example of \u201cself-enrichment\u201d than White House aides with federal student loan debt working to transfer their debts to taxpayers who never attended college.\n\nDoes the White House require aides with federal student loan debt to be recused from working on a student loan debt transfer plan? If not, why not?", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/05/30/2022/cotton-statement-on-memorial-day", "Cotton Statement on Memorial Day", "2022-05-30", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 30, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Memorial Day\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement on Memorial Day:\n\n\u201cOn Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women in uniform who died serving our country. This occasion is especially somber, as we honor the 13 American heroes who died defending the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul last year. They were the last to lay down their lives during our mission in Afghanistan and they are first in our hearts today. They perished, like so many other American patriots before them, so that others could live.\n\nFor nearly 250 years, Americans in uniform have fought and died so we could be free. Now they rest in honor beneath the rolling hills of Arlington, in a thousand other cemeteries, and in the quiet places known only to God. Their legacy and our gratitude will live forever. We will never forget their sacrifice.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:09:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-braun-rubio-introduce-bill-to-limit-use-of-chinese-digital-currency-in-the-us", "Cotton, Braun, Rubio Introduce Bill to Limit Use of Chinese Digital Currency in the U.S.", "2022-05-26", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 26, 2022\n\nCotton, Braun, Rubio Introduce Bill to Limit Use of Chinese Digital Currency in the U.S.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) introduced the Defending Americans from Authoritarian Digital Currencies Act, legislation to prohibit app platforms in the United States from hosting apps that enable transactions using the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s Digital Yuan (e-CNY). Text of the bill may be foundhere.\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party will use its digital currency to control and spy on anyone who uses it. We can\u2019t give China that chance\u2014the United States should reject China\u2019s attempt to undermine our economy at its most basic level,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party\u2019s digital yuan allows direct control and access to the financial lives of individuals. We cannot allow this authoritarian regime to use their state-controlled digital currency as an instrument to infiltrate our economy and the private information of American citizens,\u201d said Braun.\n\n\u201cIt makes no sense to tie ourselves to the digital currency of a genocidal regime that hates us and wants to replace us on the world stage,\u201d said Rubio. \u201cThis is a major financial and surveillance risk that the United States cannot afford to make.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:09:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-hagerty-introduce-legislation-to-expose-foreign-subsidies-in-merger-filings", "Cotton, Hagerty Introduce Legislation to Expose Foreign Subsidies in Merger Filings", "2022-05-26", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 26, 2022\n\nCotton, Hagerty Introduce Legislation to Expose Foreign Subsidies in Merger Filings\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) today introduced the Foreign Merger Subsidy Disclosure Act, legislation that would require companies to disclose financial support from adversarial foreign governments and entities in premerger notification filings to U.S. antitrust regulators. Bill text may be found here.\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party is attempting to gain power by manipulating the market and undercutting American businesses. Our bill will promote transparency in antitrust filings, and allow regulators to examine whether a company may act anticompetitively because it has the backing of foreign subsidies,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cCongress cannot ignore the malign actions and intellectual property theft of the Chinese Communist Party and its attempt to harm American businesses and workers. This legislation ensures transparency, giving regulators the ability to thoroughly examine the influence of foreign governments in business mergers,\u201d said Hagerty.\n\nRepresentative Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisconsin) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives in October 2021.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:09:24Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-call-for-increased-oversight-of-chinese-economic-aggression-after-proposed-forbes-acquisition", "Cotton, Colleagues Call for Increased Oversight of Chinese Economic Aggression After Proposed Forbes Acquisition", "2022-05-24", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 24, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Call for Increased Oversight of Chinese Economic Aggression After Proposed Forbes Acquisition\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raising concerns about the proposed acquisition of Forbes by an entity linked to the Chinese Communist Party.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cForbes is a recognizable American brand with immense propaganda value to the CCP. Additionally, the CCP\u2019s direction of Forbes\u2019 editorial content and business operations, or its access to Forbes\u2019 financial and personal research, could present a serious national security threat to the United States. As members of the Intelligence, Judiciary, Banking, and Finance Committees, we view proposed transactions like this one as a compelling reason for increased oversight of the CCP\u2019s predatory economic behavior in American markets. We urge you to take the necessary steps to thoroughly review the circumstances and potential consequences of this deal.\u201d\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Janet Yellen\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of the Treasury\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20220\n\nDear Secretary Yellen:\n\nWe are writing regarding the proposed acquisition of Forbes by a Chinese Communist Party-linked entity.\n\nIn August 2021, Forbes Global Media Holdings (Forbes) announced a proposed acquisition by Magnum Opus Acquisition Limited (Magnum Opus), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. In your role as chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), we urge you to investigate the circumstances and national security implications of this proposed acquisition.\n\nChina's deliberately vague patchwork of intelligence, national security, and cybersecurity laws compel companies to support and cooperate with the government\u2019s intelligence work. Not only is Magnum Opus domiciled within the jurisdiction of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but the seed money for Magnum Opus came directly from China\u2019s sovereign wealth fund, the Chinese Investment Corporation (CIC).\n\nThe CCP\u2019s intent to wield the Forbes brand for its own purposes is clear. The purchasing entity\u2019s April 8, 2022 proxy statement admits that, if this deal is allowed to proceed, Forbes \u201ccould be subject to oversight and discretion of PRC governmental authorities, which could seek to intervene or influence its business operations at any time that the government deems appropriate to further their regulatory, political, and societal goals.\u201d\n\nForbes is a recognizable American brand with immense propaganda value to the CCP. Additionally, the CCP\u2019s direction of Forbes\u2019 editorial content and business operations, or its access to Forbes\u2019 financial and personal research, could present a serious national security threat to the United States. As members of the Intelligence, Judiciary, Banking, and Finance Committees, we view proposed transactions like this one as a compelling reason for increased oversight of the CCP\u2019s predatory economic behavior in American markets. We urge you to take the necessary steps to thoroughly review the circumstances and potential consequences of this deal.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter of national security.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-bidens-shift-in-taiwan-policy", "Cotton Statement on Biden\u2019s Shift in Taiwan Policy", "2022-05-23", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 23, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Biden\u2019s Shift in Taiwan Policy\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement regarding President Biden\u2019s recent comments about Taiwan:\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve long said that we should change our Taiwan policy from \u2018strategic ambiguity\u2019 to \u2018strategic clarity\u2019: the United States will come to the defense of Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. As usual, strategic clarity and military strength is the best way to deter China. Given President Biden\u2019s apparent policy shift in off-the-cuff remarks at a press conference in Japan, followed by anonymous White House aides trying to \u2018walk back\u2019 his statement, it\u2019s now essential that President Biden restate our new policy of strategic clarity in clear, deliberate remarks from a prepared text. Otherwise, the continued ambiguity and uncertainty will likely provoke the Chinese communists without deterring them\u2014the worst of both worlds.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-cotton-resolution-to-designate-may-as-als-awareness-month", "Senate Unanimously Passes Cotton Resolution to Designate May as ALS Awareness Month", "2022-05-16", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 16, 2022\n\nSenate Unanimously Passes Cotton Resolution to Designate May as ALS Awareness Month\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), and Chris Coons (D-Delaware) to designate May 2022 as ALS Awareness Month. Text of the resolution may be found here.\n\n\u201cEach year, thousands of Americans are diagnosed with ALS\u2014a progressive and disabling disease for which there is no cure. I\u2019m proud to work with my colleagues to raise awareness about ALS and help bring relief to Americans living with the disease,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cIt takes tremendous courage from patients, families, and friends to cope with an ALS diagnosis \u2013 a relentless and debilitating disease,\u201d said Whitehouse. \u201cIt\u2019s my hope that by passing this ALS Awareness Month resolution, we will draw attention to those affected by ALS and the researchers working on new treatments on the path to a cure.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere is no ALS survivor community, so it\u2019s a top priority for me to advocate in Congress for those that are diagnosed with this devastating disease. As a co-founder of the first Senate ALS Caucus with Senator Coons, I am proud to join my Senate colleagues in designating May as ALS Awareness Month,\u201d said Braun.\n\n\u201cALS is a cruel disease that takes the lives of thousands of Americans every year, and we must work together by sustaining research and expanding treatment and therapy options. That\u2019s why I worked so hard to secure passage of my bipartisan ACT for ALS bill, which President Biden signed into law last year, and continue to work with my colleagues to secure full funding for that law today,\u201d said Coons. \u201cI hope that with more awareness around ALS, we will be able to better support patients and their loved ones, and move closer to a cure.\u201d\n\nCotton has been a leading advocate for Americans living with ALS during his time in Congress. His ALS Disability Insurance Act, which eliminates the five-month waiting period before ALS patients can receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, was first introduced in 2016 and finally signed into law in 2020.\n\nBackground:\n\nAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the ability of the brain to control muscle movements. Individuals with ALS progressively lose the ability to speak, walk, and breathe. The intended purpose of a five-month waiting period is to allow temporary conditions to reverse. However, there is currently no cure or treatment to halt or undo the effects of ALS, and some ALS patients lose their fight with the disease before ever receiving benefits. The ALS Disability Insurance Access Act would help alleviate some of the financial hardship that accompanies an ALS diagnosis, and support those living with ALS and their families.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-bill-demanding-accountability-for-formula-shortage", "Cotton Introduces Bill Demanding Accountability for Formula Shortage", "2022-05-12", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 12, 2022\n\nCotton Introduces Bill Demanding Accountability for Formula Shortage\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation requiring President Joe Biden to submit a report to Congress within 30 days detailing the steps the administration is taking to end the infant formula shortage. Bill text may be found here.\n\n\u201cFour months ago, the FDA closed a formula manufacturing site without taking steps to ensure infant formula supply levels would remain sufficient, leaving millions of babies without the food they need,\u201d said Cotton. \u201cThis shortage is a direct result of the Biden administration\u2019s actions, and the President needs to take start taking this seriously.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-finlands-intent-to-join-nato", "Cotton Statement on Finland\u2019s Intent to Join NATO", "2022-05-12", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 12, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Finland\u2019s Intent to Join NATO\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement in support of Finland joining NATO:\n\n\u201cThe United States should welcome Finland into the NATO alliance with open arms. Finland has a proud history of resisting Russian aggression and will be a valuable ally in Europe. Finland\u2019s military will soon exceed NATO military spending requirements and averages, demonstrating its ability to contribute to the alliance. I urge President Biden and the Senate to act quickly in support of our Finnish friends.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-calls-on-doj-to-prosecute-protestors-outside-justices-homes", "Cotton Calls on DOJ to Prosecute Protestors Outside Justices\u2019 Homes", "2022-05-11", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 11, 2022\n\nCotton Calls on DOJ to Prosecute Protestors Outside Justices\u2019 Homes\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding action from the Department of Justice in response to ongoing protests at the homes of Supreme Court Justices with the intent to sway the outcome of a pending case\u2014a violation of federal law.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cPlease explain why you have refused to enforce the federal law against picketing and protesting at the homes of Supreme Court Justices. Left-wing mobs have recently targeted the homes of Justices Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Kavanaugh, a blatant and obvious violation of 18 USC \u00a7 1507. These unlawful protestors widely publicized their plans, yet it appears that no federal law-enforcement officers were present to arrest the lawbreakers and no investigation is ongoing.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is in stark contrast to when you sicced federal agents on parents who attended public meetings of school boards in public buildings. Without an adequate explanation, one can only assume that you have weaponized federal law-enforcement against your party\u2019s political opponents,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nCotton concluded by warning Garland that a continued refusal to enforce federal law might prompt impeachment proceedings against him in the next Congress.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland,\n\nPlease explain why you have refused to enforce the federal law against picketing and protesting at the homes of Supreme Court Justices. Left-wing mobs have recently targeted the homes of Justices Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Kavanaugh, a blatant and obvious violation of 18 USC \u00a7 1507. These unlawful protestors widely publicized their plans, yet it appears that no federal law-enforcement officers were present to arrest the lawbreakers and no investigation is ongoing. Further, President Biden\u2019s own press secretary announced this week that the Biden administration \u201ccertainly continue[s] to encourage [protests] outside of judges\u2019 homes, and that\u2019s the president\u2019s position.\u201d This is in stark contrast to when you sicced federal agents on parents who attended public meetings of school boards in public buildings. Without an adequate explanation, one can only assume that you have weaponized federal law-enforcement against your party\u2019s political opponents.\n\nWhen you last testified at the Senate Judiciary Committee, I recommended that you resign in disgrace. Unfortunately, I see you haven\u2019t taken my advice. If you don\u2019t take immediate action to enforce the law even-handedly against your party\u2019s political opponents, perhaps the next Congress should take matters into its own hands with impeachment proceedings.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-protect-public-servants-and-their-families-from-threats-at-home", "Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Public Servants and their Families from Threats at Home", "2022-05-10", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 10, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Public Servants and their Families from Threats at Home\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) today introduced the Public Servant Protection Act, legislation to protect all government employees and their families from having their home addresses listed publicly online. Text of the bill may be found here.\n\n\u201cJudges and other government officials should not be subjected to angry protests and violent threats at home simply because they serve the public at work. Our bill will protect public servants and their families by allowing them to remove their home addresses from any public website,\u201d said Cotton.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-action-from-fda-on-infant-formula-shortage", "Cotton Demands Action from FDA on Infant Formula Shortage", "2022-05-09", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 9, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Action from FDA on Infant Formula Shortage\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton today wrote to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf demanding answers about the dangerous shortage of infant formula and asking how the FDA is planning to combat the issue.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cMillions of babies rely on formula for their nutritional needs. Major retailers are limiting the amount of infant formula customers can purchase per visit, and families are being forced to pay higher prices and fees to obtain adequate food for their child. This places an additional burden on hardworking Americans already spending more on necessities due to inflation.\u201d\n\n\u201cI hope that the FDA understands the extraordinary strain this crisis has placed on parents and children alike and is doing everything in its power to re-open the Abbott plant,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Robert Califf, M.D.\n\nCommissioner\n\nU.S. Food and Drug Administration\n\n10903 New Hampshire Ave\n\nSilver Spring, MD 20993-0002\n\nDear Commissioner Califf:\n\nI write today requesting information regarding the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) actions to address the dangerous shortage of infant formula.\n\nArkansas mothers have contacted my office because they can\u2019t get the formula they need to feed their children. Infant formula shortages have been rising since November 2021 and one study shows the out-of-stock rate for baby formula jumped from 30 percent to 40 percent in just the last few weeks. This is a direct result of the FDA\u2019s actions. On February 17, 2022, Abbott Nutrition announced it was recalling infant formulas manufactured at an Abbott facility in Sturgis, MI, due to bacterial contamination. An FDA investigation led to this shutdown and as you know, production has yet to resume.\n\nMillions of babies rely on formula for their nutritional needs. Major retailers are limiting the amount of infant formula customers can purchase per visit, and families are being forced to pay higher prices and fees to obtain adequate food for their child. This places an additional burden on hardworking Americans already spending more on necessities due to inflation. I hope that the FDA understands the extraordinary strain this crisis has placed on parents and children alike and is doing everything in its power to re-open the Abbott plant.\n\nAt a minimum, your agency ought to provide parents with a clear timeline of when they can expect to get formula back on shelves. Please provide my office\u2014and all parents\u2014the following information regarding the FDA\u2019s plan to address the infant formula shortage:\n\nPlease identify any additional steps that must be completed prior to resuming production at the Sturgis plant, as well as an estimated timeline of when those actions will be completed.\n\nPlease explain what standards the FDA is using to measure whether the Sturgis plant can safely resume production.\n\nWhile recalls have exacerbated formula shortages, there were warning signs that additional complications could lead to enormous disruptions in the supply chain. When was the FDA first alerted to potential sanitary concerns at the Abbott manufacturing facility in Sturgis, MI? What steps did the FDA take once alerted to the sanitary concerns? What is the FDA protocol when there is a potential shortage of an essential food (i.e., infant formula)?\n\nI look forward to receiving your response.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-defund-homeland-securitys-disinformation-board", "Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Defund Homeland Security\u2019s \u201cDisinformation Board\u201d", "2022-05-03", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 3, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Defund Homeland Security\u2019s \u201cDisinformation Board\u201d\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced legislation to bar federal funds from being used to establish a Disinformation Governance Board at the Department of Homeland Security. Text of the legislation may be found here.\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration wants a government agency dedicated to cracking down on what its subjects can say, an idea popular with Orwellian governments everywhere. This board is unconstitutional and un-American\u2014my bill puts a stop to it,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nSenators John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Todd Young (R-Indiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), and Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) joined the bill as cosponsors.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-transparency-about-biden-plan-to-transfer-student-loan-debt-to-taxpayers", "Cotton Demands Transparency About Biden Plan to Transfer Student Loan Debt to Taxpayers", "2022-05-03", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMay 3, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Transparency About Biden Plan to Transfer Student Loan Debt to Taxpayers\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona demanding transparency regarding the Biden administration\u2019s deliberations on transferring over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt to taxpayers.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cI\u2019m firmly opposed to student debt cancellation. It is an insult to the majority of Americans who chose not to attend college, a hand-out to the wealthy and well connected, and a get out of jail free card for universities that charge unjustifiably high tuition and fees.\u201d\n\n\u201cStudent debt cancellation would also exacerbate the rising inflation that is crushing working-class Americans\u2014the very people who would be responsible for bailing out college-educated Americans under this policy,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Miguel Cardona\n\nSecretary of Education\n\nDepartment of Education Building\n\n400 Maryland Ave, SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20202\n\nDear Secretary Cardona,\n\nI write to demand transparency regarding the Biden administration\u2019s deliberations on cancelling over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt.\n\nLast April, the Department of Education\u2019s Office of General Counsel wrote an analysis of the legality of canceling debt via executive action entitled \u201cThe Secretary's Legal Authority for Broad-Based Debt Cancellation.\u201d Over a year later, the unredacted memorandum still has not been released to the public. I ask that you please send me a fully-unredacted copy of this legal memorandum by May 20, 2022.\n\nI\u2019m firmly opposed to student debt cancellation. It is an insult to the majority of Americans who chose not to attend college, a hand-out to the wealthy and well connected, and a get out of jail free card for universities that charge unjustifiably high tuition and fees. Student debt cancellation would also exacerbate the rising inflation that is crushing working-class Americans\u2014the very people who would be responsible for bailing out college-educated Americans under this policy. With such basic questions of justice and more than $1 trillion dollars at stake, Americans are entitled, at a minimum, to understand the legal justification for such an action.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-demand-answers-about-doj-decision-to-investigate-three-deputy-us-marshals", "Cotton, Colleagues Demand Answers About DOJ Decision to Investigate Three Deputy U.S. Marshals", "2022-04-26", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nApril 26, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Demand Answers About DOJ Decision to Investigate Three Deputy U.S. Marshals\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding to know why the Department of Justice to placed three deputy U.S. Marshals (DUSMs) on limited duty and opened an investigation into a use-of-force incident during the defense of the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon in July 2020.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cAccording to information that we\u2019ve been given, these DUSMs have never been reprimanded for their actions in Portland; to the contrary, they received the Director\u2019s Award, received outstanding or excellent evaluations in 2020, and had been subsequently deployed on numerous dangerous missions as part of the USMS Special Operations Group, including to other cities where there was anticipated civil unrest. Accordingly, the timing of this decision is inherently suspect, appears politically-motivated, and smacks of retaliation.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn addition, before they were confirmed, Associate Attorney General, Vanita Gupta, and Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Kristen Clarke, made concerning comments about the riots at the Portland courthouse that could create a conflict with their involvement in any decision relating to these DUSMs,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland,\n\nWe are writing to demand answers regarding your recent decision to place three deputy United States Marshals (DUSMs) on limited duty and inform them they are under investigation for a use-of-force incident that occurred over 20 months ago while they defended the federal courthouse in Portland. We do not condone any unjustified violence against innocent parties, if that's what occurred; however, the Department had 20 months to make both these decisions but only made them after Senator Cotton refused to allow expedited consideration of Department of Justice (DOJ) nominees because DOJ had not provided these DUSMs payments for defense counsel when they were named defendants in a civil suit related to the Portland riots. According to information that we've been given, these DUSMs have never been reprimanded for their actions in Portland; to the contrary, they received the Director's Award, received outstanding or excellent evaluations in 2020, and had been subsequently deployed on numerous dangerous missions as part of the USMS Special Operations Group, including to other cities where there was anticipated civil unrest. Accordingly, the timing of this decision is inherently suspect, appears politically-motivated, and smacks of retaliation.\n\nIn addition, before they were confirmed, Associate Attorney General, Vanita Gupta, and Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Kristen Clarke, made concerning comments about the riots at the Portland courthouse that could create a conflict with their involvement in any decision relating to these DUSMs. For example, on July 21, 2020, Ms. Gupta tweeted that federal intervention in Portland was \"tyranny\" and on July 19, 2020, tweeted that federal use-of-force on a protestor was \"authoritarianism.\" On July 23, 2020, Ms. Clarke re-tweeted then-Senator Kamala Harris, calling federal intervention in Portland a \"disturbing violation of Americans' civil rights.\" Their public comments illustrate that they cannot objectively oversee any disciplinary matter relating to the Portland courthouse and that they should be recused from any matter that arises from it, if they have yet to recuse.\n\nTo better understand the Department's decision-making process with respect to placing these DUSMs on limited duty and placing them under investigation-20 months after-the-fact-please respond to the following no later than May 1, 2022:\n\n1.Please provide all communications and any internal documents regarding the decision to place these DUSMs on limited duty and under investigation, including the following:\n\na.The date any investigation was opened; and\n\nb.The date the decision was made to place the DUSMs on limited duty.\n\n2.Please provide all communications and any internal documents regarding the decision of whether or not to pay for civil representation for all four DUSMs who had not been provided payment for counsel as of today - including all communications and any recommendation to the Civil Division from the USMS Office of General Counsel.\n\n3.Have Ms. Gupta and Ms. Clarke been recused from matters relating to the Portland courthouse riots? If so, when? If not, why not?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-doj-about-reversal-in-death-penalty-case", "Cotton Demands Answers from DOJ About Reversal in Death Penalty Case", "2022-04-15", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nApril 15, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers from DOJ About Reversal in Death Penalty Case\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding answers about his decision to stop seeking the death penalty in a case of a serial domestic abuser who killed Army Sergeant Brittney Niecol Silvers at her home on base at Fort Campbell.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cThe Department of Justice initially announced on February 25, 2021, its intent to seek the death penalty against Victor Everette Silvers, who murdered Army Sergeant Brittney Niecol Silvers on Fort Campbell in Kentucky in 2018\u201d\n\n\u201cYesterday, federal prosecutors filed a motion to withdraw the notice of intent to seek the death penalty, writing that the withdrawal was \u2018authorized and directed by\u2019 you on April 7, 2022. Why did you \u2018authorize and direct\u2019 this action? Has anything changed since February 25, 2021? Sgt. Silvers deserves justice,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland,\n\nIt\u2019s come to my attention that the Department of Justice has decided to stop seeking the death penalty in the case of a serial domestic abuser who shot and murdered Brittney Niecol Silvers, a United States soldier, in front of her apartment on a U.S. Army base in 2018.\n\nThe Department of Justice initially announced on February 25, 2021, its intent to seek the death penalty against Victor Everette Silvers, who murdered Army Sergeant Brittney Niecol Silvers on Fort Campbell in Kentucky in 2018. Sgt. Silvers was assigned to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Her estranged husband, Victor, was charged with premeditated murder in the case.\n\nYesterday, federal prosecutors filed a motion to withdraw the notice of intent to seek the death penalty, writing that the withdrawal was \u201cauthorized and directed by\u201d you on April 7, 2022.\n\nWhy did you \u201cauthorize and direct\u201d this action? Has anything changed since February 25, 2021? Sgt. Silvers deserves justice. Please reply no later than 5:00PM on Wednesday, April 20, detailing the reasons for your decision to stop seeking the death penalty against her murderer.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-new-biden-gun-regulations", "Cotton Statement on New Biden Gun Regulations", "2022-04-11", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nApril 11, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on New Biden Gun Regulations\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement after President Biden announced new restrictions on so-called \u201cghost guns\u201d and privately made firearms:\n\n\u201cExpanding federal gun regulations only makes it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to own guns. If President Biden wants to crack down on crime, he should begin by enforcing existing laws and prosecuting violent criminals.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-call-on-biden-to-provide-israel-with-support-to-defend-itself-from-iran", "Cotton, Colleagues Call on Biden to Provide Israel with Support to Defend Itself from Iran", "2022-04-07", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nApril 7, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Call on Biden to Provide Israel with Support to Defend Itself from Iran\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) was joined today by Senators James Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Rick Scott (R-Florida), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) in a letter to President Joe Biden urging the administration to provide Israel with the military capabilities it needs to defend itself and to prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear-weapons capability.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cYour administration appears intent on striking a new nuclear deal with Iran that will provide the regime with a pathway to nuclear weapons. A nuclear-armed Iran would have major negative regional implications. It would put at risk the existence of the State of Israel and the governments of our Arab allies, destroy America\u2019s position in the Middle East, and ultimately threaten the U.S. homeland. A course-correction is necessary.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe therefore urge your administration to take immediate action to provide Israel with the military capabilities it needs to defend itself from Iran,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nThe letter is supported by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), Christians United for Israel (CUFI), Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), and the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA).\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write to urge you to provide Israel with the military capabilities it needs to defend itself and prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear-weapons capability.\n\nAs you know, Iran\u2019s ballistic missile arsenal, its support for terrorism, and its other destabilizing activities pose grave threats to the United States and our allies and partners in the Middle East. The Iranian regime arms the Houthis in Yemen with the missiles and drones that they use to attack civilian targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Iran equips Hezbollah and Hamas with tens of thousands of rockets, including the more than 4,000 rockets which Hamas fired at Israeli civilians last May. Last month, Iran escalated its attacks against Americans in Iraq, firing a dozen ballistic missiles from Iranian soil at the U.S. consulate in Erbil.\n\nMeanwhile, your administration appears intent on striking a new nuclear deal with Iran that will provide the regime with a pathway to nuclear weapons. A nuclear-armed Iran would have major negative regional implications. It would put at risk the existence of the State of Israel and the governments of our Arab allies, destroy America\u2019s position in the Middle East, and ultimately threaten the U.S. homeland. A course-correction is necessary.\n\nWe therefore urge your administration to take immediate action to provide Israel with the military capabilities it needs to defend itself from Iran. Most importantly, since the purchase has already been approved, your administration must expedite the delivery of KC-46A aerial refueling tankers to Israel as rapidly as possible without interrupting deliveries to our own Air Force. Accelerating delivery of tactical aircraft like the F-35I and F-15I and helicopters like the CH-53K would continue to bolster Israel\u2019s ability to defend itself. While providing improved tactical aircraft is vital, your administration must also ensure that Israel retains adequate stockpiles of U.S.-made precision guided munitions. Finally, you must ensure that Israel possesses robust, multi-layered air defenses to mitigate attacks by Iran and its proxies, to include continued support for the Iron Dome, David\u2019s Sling, and Arrow systems.\n\nYour administration must urgently fulfill America\u2019s obligation to help Israel defend itself by giving it the tools it needs to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-about-exclusion-of-chinese-made-products-from-section-301-tariffs", "Cotton Demands Answers About Exclusion of Chinese-Made Products from Section 301 Tariffs", "2022-04-07", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nApril 7, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers About Exclusion of Chinese-Made Products from Section 301 Tariffs\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai demanding answers about the USTR\u2019s decision to exclude over 350 Chinese-made products from Section 301 tariffs.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cThis decision is yet another example of the disconnect between your tough talk and your agency\u2019s weak actions. You have spoken compellingly on the need for firm action against China. Just last week, you testified before the House Ways and Means Committee that China violated its Phase I trade deal obligations and that the communists in Beijing \u2018only comply with those trade obligations that fit its own interests.\u2019 I agree. China lives by the simple motto of \u2018lie, cheat, and steal\u2019 and has wiped out millions of American manufacturing jobs and tens of thousands of factories as a result. I also agreed with your statement that \u2018enforcement is a key component of our worker-centered trade policy.\u2019\u201d\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, USTR\u2019s recent actions contradict your strong rhetoric. Days ago, your agency blew a massive hole in our enforcement regime by approving tariff exemptions for over 350 Chinese-made products. Earlier last month, USTR also punted on opening new 301 investigations into China\u2019s economic abuses. These trade concessions are a gift to Chinese producers that continue your agency\u2019s pattern of economic appeasement,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Katherine Tai\n\nU.S. Trade Representative\n\n600 17th Street, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20508\n\nDear Ambassador Tai,\n\nI write to express my concern with USTR\u2019s recent decision to exclude over 350 Chinese-made products from Section 301 tariffs. This decision is yet another example of the disconnect between your tough talk and your agency\u2019s weak actions.\n\nYou have spoken compellingly on the need for firm action against China. Just last week, you testified before the House Ways and Means Committee that China violated its Phase I trade deal obligations and that the communists in Beijing \u201conly comply with those trade obligations that fit its own interests.\u201d I agree. China lives by the simple motto of \u201clie, cheat, and steal\u201d and has wiped out millions of American manufacturing jobs and tens of thousands of factories as a result. I also agreed with your statement that \u201cenforcement is a key component of our worker-centered trade policy.\u201d\n\nUnfortunately, USTR\u2019s recent actions contradict your strong rhetoric. Days ago, your agency blew a massive hole in our enforcement regime by approving tariff exemptions for over 350 Chinese-made products. Earlier last month, USTR also punted on opening new 301 investigations into China\u2019s economic abuses. These trade concessions are a gift to Chinese producers that continue your agency\u2019s pattern of economic appeasement.\n\nIn your congressional testimony, you stated that a public \u201ctrust gap\u201d has emerged on trade policy. Sadly, your agency\u2019s tendency to say one thing and do another has contributed to this crisis of confidence. I urge you to change course and restore the American people\u2019s trust in our nation\u2019s trade policy. Please answer the following questions so that the American people can better understand USTR\u2019s recent actions:\n\nHow many of the over 350 Chinese items recently exempted from tariffs could be produced by the United States or a U.S. ally? Please share with members of Congress the research that was conducted to reach this conclusion.\n\nDuring internal deliberations, did career USTR staff believe these exemptions were justified on the merits or did political staff at the White House or any agency pressure USTR to approve them?\n\nIn estimated total dollar value, how much will trade with China likely increase as a result of these tariff exemptions? Will our trade deficit likely grow or shrink?\n\nDid we receive any reciprocal tariff reductions or other trade concessions from China in response to these exemptions?\n\nWith regards,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/judiciary-republicans-press-judge-jackson-on-lenient-sentencing-of-repeat-sex-offender", "Judiciary Republicans Press Judge Jackson on Lenient Sentencing of Repeat Sex Offender", "2022-03-25", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMarch 25, 2022\n\nJudiciary Republicans Press Judge Jackson on Lenient Sentencing of Repeat Sex Offender\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) sent a letter to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson asking her to provide the Senate Judiciary Committee with information related to the case of Wesley Hawkins.\n\nSentencing guidelines for similar child pornography cases recommended an 8\u201310-year sentence. However, Judge Jackson sentenced Hawkins to a mere three months in Bureau of Prisons custody. Hawkins would later re-offend\u2014when he would have been in prison had Judge Jackson followed the sentencing guidelines\u2014and appear before Judge Jackson again.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote, \u201cAccordingly, consistent with measures necessary to protect the privacy of the victims and other innocent third parties, please immediately provide the Committee with a copy of the probation petition that you referenced in that April 2019 order, and an explanation of what Hawkins did in 2019 that earned him twice as much time in BOP custody as your original three-month sentence. If discussing those details necessitates confidentiality, please contact the Committee to schedule a closed-door briefing on the topic. Further, please confirm whether computer monitoring software was already required prior to 2019 as part of your original sentence in the Hawkins case.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the letter may be found below. A copy of the letter may be found here.\n\nMarch 25, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson\n\nE. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse, Room 5700\n\n333 Constitution Avenue, Northwest\n\nWashington, District of Columbia 20001\n\nDear Judge Jackson,\n\nDuring your confirmation hearing, you were asked by multiple members about the extraordinarily lenient sentences that you have given to child pornography offenders. Your sentences for child pornography offenders were routinely less than the sentences recommended by the sentencing guidelines and less than the sentences recommended by the prosecutors\u2014in fact, you gave reduced sentences far more often than did average federal judges.\n\nIn one specific case that was addressed at the hearing, you sentenced a man named Wesley Hawkins, who distributed child pornography on the internet. The sentencing guidelines recommended a sentence of about 8-10 years. As a result of a plea agreement, the prosecutors in the case recommended a 24-month sentence, and your own probation office recommended 18 months. You, however, sentenced Hawkins to a mere three months in BOP custody for his crimes. In 2019\u2014when he would have been in prison if you had followed the sentencing guidelines\u2014Hawkins apparently did something that caused you to send him back to BOP custody for six months in a halfway house, along with instituting new restrictions on his computer usage. According to the court docket in the case, on April 17, 2019 (five and one-half years after your original sentence), you concurred with the recommendation of a \u201cProbation Petition\u201d and ordered that Hawkins return to BOP custody in a halfway house for six months, and that he allow the probation officer to install computer monitoring software on his electronic devices.\n\nYour lenient sentencing in the Hawkins case was the subject of significant interest in the Committee\u2019s review of your judicial record. Our review of your nomination requires that the Committee fully understand the circumstances that informed your actions in this case. Accordingly, consistent with measures necessary to protect the privacy of the victims and other innocent third parties, please immediately provide the Committee with a copy of the probation petition that you referenced in that April 2019 order, and an explanation of what Hawkins did in 2019 that earned him twice as much time in BOP custody as your original three-month sentence. If discussing those details necessitates confidentiality, please contact the Committee to schedule a closed-door briefing on the topic. Further, please confirm whether computer monitoring software was already required prior to 2019 as part of your original sentence in the Hawkins case.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-the-biden-administration-for-its-delayed-investigation-of-illegal-chinese-trade-practices", "Cotton Demands Answers from the Biden Administration for Its Delayed Investigation of Illegal Chinese Trade Practices", "2022-03-16", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMarch 16, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers from the Biden Administration for Its Delayed Investigation of Illegal Chinese Trade Practices\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai demanding answers about the USTR\u2019s reported delay in deciding to launch Section 301 investigations into China\u2019s criminal economic practices.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cThe CCP has shown nothing but malice towards this nation and should be shown no leniency in our response to its economic aggression. For this reason, I am deeply disappointed to learn that USTR is not pursuing an expansive set of Section 301 investigations into China\u2019s anti-competitive and illegal trade practices.\u201d\n\n\u201cSuch investigations would likely result in barriers to subsidized Chinese goods and would blunt Beijing\u2019s attempt to dominate critical sectors through economic aggression. It\u2019s past time that we act to defend American industry, prevent China from dominating the industries of the future, and decouple key strategic sectors from China,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter ay be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Katherine Tai\n\nU.S. Trade Representative\n\n600 17th Street, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20508\n\nDear Ambassador Tai,\n\nI write to express my concern regarding USTR\u2019s reported delay in deciding to launch Section 301 investigations into China\u2019s economic practices.\n\nAs you know, the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s prolific trade abuses threaten American prosperity. In the two decades since China\u2019s entry into the WTO, the CCP has effectively shuttered tens of thousands of American factories, destroyed millions of American manufacturing jobs, and stolen hundreds of billions of dollars of American intellectual property. China\u2019s broad industrial destruction has fed the heartbreaking opioid crisis that still grips our nation, and is in no small part fueled by Chinese fentanyl.\n\nFar from showing contrition, China\u2019s rulers have added insult to injury at every opportunity. You have rightfully criticized China for violating the terms of the Phase I trade deal. Instead of increasing imports from the United States by $200 billion over the baseline, China reduced purchases by nearly $14 billion. For months, your agency has negotiated in good faith to bring China into compliance with Phase I, but the Communist Party has steadfastly refused to keep their promises. Our goods trade deficit with China last year reached the highest level since 2018, and our total trade deficit surpassed $1 trillion, for the first time ever.\n\nThe CCP has shown nothing but malice towards this nation and should be shown no leniency in our response to its economic aggression. For this reason, I am deeply disappointed to learn that USTR is not pursuing an expansive set of Section 301 investigations into China\u2019s anti-competitive and illegal trade practices.\n\nSuch investigations would likely result in barriers to subsidized Chinese goods and would blunt Beijing\u2019s attempt to dominate critical sectors through economic aggression. It\u2019s past time that we act to defend American industry, prevent China from dominating the industries of the future, and decouple key strategic sectors from China. I hope you share these objectives.\n\nPlease answer the following questions so that the American people can better understand the Biden administration\u2019s position on China\u2019s economic aggression:\n\nHas USTR delayed its decision on launching Section 301 investigations into China\u2019s economic practices? Yes or no?\n\nIf yes, why have you delayed these essential investigations? Did China\u2019s threat of retaliation contribute to this delay?\n\nDo you believe that China is currently doing at least tens of billions of dollars in damages to the United States economy every year as a result of its anti-competitive and illegal behavior?\n\nDo you believe it is important to penalize China for violating its Phase I obligations?\n\nDo you believe it is important to reduce our dependence on China in strategic industries?\n\nDo you believe it is important to decouple our strategic industries from China?\n\nVery respectfully,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-death-of-little-rock-native-in-ukraine", "Cotton Statement on Death of Little Rock Native in Ukraine", "2022-03-13", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMarch 13, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Death of Little Rock Native in Ukraine\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after Brent Renaud, a filmmaker from Little Rock, was killed in Ukraine:\n\n\u201cArkansans are saddened today at the death of Brent Renaud in Ukraine. I join them in expressing deepest condolences to the Renaud family. And I reiterate to Vladimir Putin and his military leaders that the intentional targeting of innocent civilians, including reporters, is a war crime.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-boozman-statement-on-passage-of-15-trillion-spending-bill", "Cotton, Boozman Statement on Passage of $1.5 Trillion Spending Bill", "2022-03-11", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMarch 11, 2022\n\nCotton, Boozman Statement on Passage of $1.5 Trillion Spending Bill\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement after the Senate passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package:\n\n\u201cCosts are rising for Arkansans on everyday necessities like gasoline and groceries, and now Democrats are using the crisis in Europe to push through their liberal wishlist. This massive $1.5 trillion spending bill will fuel the fire of inflation and expand President Biden\u2019s federal bureaucracy. Aid for Ukraine is much needed, but this bill wasn\u2019t the way to pass it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-graham-rebuke-bidens-rejection-of-polish-assistance-for-ukraine", "Cotton, Graham Rebuke Biden\u2019s Rejection of Polish Assistance for Ukraine", "2022-03-09", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nMarch 9, 2022\n\nCotton, Graham Rebuke Biden\u2019s Rejection of Polish Assistance for Ukraine\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) issued the following statement after the Biden administration rejected Poland\u2019s offer to transfer MiG-29s to Ukraine:\n\n\u201cPresident Biden should have welcomed Poland\u2019s offer to aid Ukraine with MiG-29s\u2014as he should welcome conventional arms transfers of any kind from our NATO partners to defeat Putin\u2019s advance. Instead, he\u2019s dithering and hiding behind lawyers, signaling hesitation and weakness to Putin and a lack of resolve to our allies.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-passing-of-pulaski-county-officer", "Cotton Statement on Passing of Pulaski County Officer", "2022-02-28", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 28, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Passing of Pulaski County Officer\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after it was reported that Sergeant Joshua Caudell of Redfield, Arkansas was killed in the line of duty:\n\n\u201cOfficer Caudell sacrificed his life while protecting his community and defending the rule of law. I pray that God will bring comfort to his family, friends, and fellow officers during this difficult time, and I trust his killer will be brought to justice.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-russian-invasion-of-ukraine", "Cotton Statement on Russian Invasion of Ukraine", "2022-02-24", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 24, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Russian Invasion of Ukraine\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement after Russian troops invaded Ukraine:\n\n\u201cVladimir Putin\u2019s unprovoked, naked war of aggression must face the most severe consequences. I urge President Biden to finally impose these consequences. And I join all Arkansans in praying for the safety of innocent Ukrainians.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-responds-to-president-bidens-russia-sanctions", "Cotton Responds to President Biden\u2019s Russia Sanctions", "2022-02-23", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 21, 2022\n\nCotton Responds to President Biden\u2019s Russia Sanctions\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) issued the following statement after Vladimir Putin ordered troops to move into Ukrainian territory:\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s timid sanctions tonight are wholly unequal to this moment. Russia is invading Ukraine now. The time has come for the \u2018swift and severe\u2019 sanctions that Joe Biden has long threatened but refused to impose. There is not a minute to lose.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-doj-termination-of-its-china-initiative", "Cotton Statement on DOJ Termination of Its \u201cChina Initiative\u201d", "2022-02-23", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 23, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on DOJ Termination of Its \u201cChina Initiative\u201d\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the Department of Justice announced the termination of its \u201cChina Initiative,\u201d which was designed to combat the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s efforts to spy on the United States and steal our intellectual property:\n\n\u201cThe CCP has stolen trillions of dollars of American intellectual property, destroyed millions of American jobs, and turned students and researchers studying in the United States into foreign spies. Yet today, the Biden administration announced it\u2019s cancelling the initiative tasked with combatting the Chinese government\u2019s unprecedented domestic sabotage and aggression because they claim it\u2019s racist. Cancelling this initiative is just another instance of weakness from an administration more concerned with being politically correct than protecting Americans. And you can be sure our adversaries are watching.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-dod-report-confirming-bidens-failure-to-screen-afghan-evacuees", "Cotton Statement on DOD Report Confirming Biden\u2019s Failure to Screen Afghan Evacuees", "2022-02-18", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 18, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on DOD Report Confirming Biden\u2019s Failure to Screen Afghan Evacuees\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement regarding the Department of Defense Inspector General\u2019s report on the screening of evacuees during the withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021:\n\n\u201cJoe Biden promised to vet the evacuees that came to America after his retreat from Afghanistan. But he didn\u2019t, and now American lives are at risk. According to this report, dozens of suspected bombmakers and terrorists arrived in our country\u2014and now some have gone missing. This debacle is yet another reminder of the dangerous consequences of Joe Biden\u2019s dishonorable withdrawal from Afghanistan.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-explanation-behind-hhs-safe-crack-pipe-lie", "Cotton Demands Explanation Behind HHS \u201cSafe\u201d Crack Pipe Lie", "2022-02-16", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 16, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Explanation Behind HHS \u201cSafe\u201d Crack Pipe Lie\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Secretary Xavier Becerra at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) demanding clarification on the department\u2019s reversal to distribute taxpayer-funded crack pipes as part of its harm reduction initiative. Cotton also condemned the department\u2019s accusation that the Washington Free Beacon was spreading \u201cmisinformation\u201d regarding the \u201csafe smoking kits.\u201d\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cI'm writing about your department\u2019s smear of the Washington Free Beacon's report on your \u2018safe smoking kits\u2019\u2014kits which, until last week, included taxpayer-funded crack pipes.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat happened is obvious. HHS planned to allow the safe smoking kits to include crack pipes. You got caught, scrambled under pressure, and falsely accused the Free Beacon of \u2018misinformation,\u2019\" Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Xavier Becerra\n\nSecretary of Health and Human Services\n\nU.S. Department of Health & Human Services\n\n200 Independence Avenue, S.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20201\n\nDear Secretary Becerra,\n\nI'm writing about your department\u2019s smear of the Washington Free Beacon's report on your \"safe smoking kits\u201d\u2014kits which, until last week, included taxpayer-funded crack pipes.\n\nLast month, HHS put out a notice of funding to support \"community-based overdose prevention programs, syringe services programs, and other harm reduction services.\"\n\nIn the \"Required Activities\" section of this notice, HHS wrote that funds must be used to support purchases including \"safe smoking kits/supplies.\" Safe smoking kits have been used across the country and often contain glass pipes. In fact, \"safe\" pipes are usually the entire point of \"safe smoking kits.\" As your drug legalization allies said when expressing disappointment that the safe smoking kits will no longer include pipes, \"safe smoking kits without pipes are useless.\"\n\nAfter the Free Beacon's report, HHS accused the Free Beacon and many other reputable outlets of \"misinformation.\" Your spokeswoman attacked me on Twitter while defending the crack pipes as a \"harm reduction strategy.\" Then, HHS put out another statement, announcing that the \"safe smoking kits\" will not contain crack pipes\u2014just heroin needles.\n\nWhat happened is obvious. HHS planned to allow the safe smoking kits to include crack pipes. You got caught, scrambled under pressure, and falsely accused the Free Beacon of \"misinformation.\"\n\nPlease provide the following correspondences to my office. You should anticipate testifying before the 118th Congress on HHS\u2019s lack of forthrightness about your crack pipe funding plan.\n\n1. Provide all correspondence between HHS and grant applicants that mention the term \"safe smoking kits.\"\n\n2. Provide all correspondence between HHS staff involving the department's statement on Tuesday, February 8th, when you called the Free Beacon's report \"misinformation.\"\n\n3. Provide all correspondence between HHS staff and the White House between Monday, February 7, and Thursday, February 10, involving the contents of the HHS \"safe smoking kits.\"\n\nRegards,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-doubles-down-on-demand-for-answers-from-doj", "Cotton Doubles Down on Demand for Answers from DOJ", "2022-02-10", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 10, 2022\n\nCotton Doubles Down on Demand for Answers from DOJ\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today responded to a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding reports that the DOJ is not providing legal defense for Deputy U.S. Marshals in Portland who protected the federal courthouse during BLM riots in 2020.\n\nCotton first requested information regarding these reports in January. On February 9, the Office of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justice responded to Cotton\u2019s letter, but failed to address the issue.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland:\n\nI received your letter; you didn\u2019t answer my question. Why won\u2019t the Department of Justice defend four deputy U.S. Marshals attacked by a left-wing street militia in Portland?\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-trone-led-us-commission-on-combating-synthetic-opioid-trafficking-releases-final-report", "Cotton, Trone-Led U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking Releases Final Report", "2022-02-08", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 8, 2022\n\nCotton, Trone-Led U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking Releases Final Report\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Commission Chairs Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congressman David Trone (D-Maryland), alongside Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Congressman Fred Upton (R-Michigan), released the final report of the U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking. Established by the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the Commission was charged with examining aspects of the synthetic drug threat to the United States.\n\nThe Commission comprised representatives of seven Executive Branch departments and agencies, four sitting members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and four subject-matter experts chosen for their deep experience and expertise on this topic.\n\nThe final report serves as a bipartisan, strategic approach to combating the flow of synthetic opioids into the United States \u2014 with an overarching goal of reducing the number of overdose deaths from these drugs.\n\nThe report outlines a host of evidence-based, data-driven proposals to implement a nationwide and coordinated approach to this crisis, including efforts to:\n\nEstablish strategies to reduce demand, such as increasing prevention resources and access to treatment, as central priorities in the fight against opioid trafficking;\n\nDevelop a unified, central body to coordinate planning, implementation, and evaluation of all U.S. drug control policies;\n\nDisrupt drug supply through targeted oversight and enforcement;\n\nCollaborate with other countries involved in the production and distribution of synthetic opioids and their chemical precursors;\n\nImprove data collection and analysis to allow for more timely and effective responses on the ground in our communities.\n\nClick here to read the full report.\n\n\u201c274 Americans die every day from drug overdoses\u2014that\u2019s one person every five minutes, and every day it gets worse,\u201d said Senator Tom Cotton, Co-Chair of the Commission. \u201cWe must destroy the cartels and drug trafficking networks that flood our streets with these poisons to protect our communities. I\u2019m proud to work with my colleagues to combat this epidemic at all levels of government.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince 1999, we\u2019ve lost more than one million Americans to drug overdoses. That\u2019s one million moms, dads, sons, and daughters lost because our country\u2019s response to the opioid epidemic has failed,\u201d said Congressman David Trone, Co-Chair of the Commission. \u201cIt\u2019s time to come together, from all levels of government and both sides of the aisle, to address this epidemic and put an end to it once and for all. The Commission\u2019s informed proposals must serve as a roadmap for our country\u2019s leadership, including Congress, to take swift, deliberate action in the months to come. Let\u2019s get to work.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe final report of the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking will serve as a roadmap to stanch the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States, and be our guide as we work to save lives and rebuild communities across the country,\u201d said Senator Edward J. Markey. \u201cThis report is not the end of our work, but merely the beginning, particularly here on Capitol Hill. Now, we must follow through with comprehensive legislation to implement the report\u2019s recommendations.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe scourge of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids is tearing apart communities throughout Michigan and across the country. Families have been through unspeakable suffering as loved ones struggle with addiction,\u201d said Congressman Fred Upton. \u201cIn my district, I have met with grieving parents whose grief is unbearable for them. We must redouble our efforts to secure the border against illegal trafficking by targeting Mexican cartels flooding our streets with illicit opioids and force China\u2019s hand to crackdown on their pharmaceutical industry supplying cartels with the base compounds used to manufacture synthetic opioids. I was proud to be a part of this Commission and hope to take what\u2019s in this report and put it into action.\u201d\n\nThe Members of Congress were joined by federal agencies and subject-matter experts in support of this vital effort:\n\n\u201cThe number of lives we\u2019re losing and the economic impact of this crisis, and the fact that the supply is maliciously coming from entities in other nations, speaks to this as a national security crisis rather than simply a public health crisis,\u201d said Ret. Admiral James Winnefeld, Jr. \u201cThe efforts of the Commission and this report make clear that a solution will require far more concerted resources and action at the federal level, in addition to the state, local, and non-profit levels, to tackle this epidemic in any effective way.\u201d\n\n\"A full-court press is urgently needed to break the fentanyl death grip on our families, stop the trillion-dollar toll on our economy and protect our national security,\" said Karen Tandy, former Administrator, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. \"Meaningful progress to reverse the direction of overdose deaths will require new strategic approaches and tools outlined by the Commission, including the implementation of economic sanctions on foreign actors involved in the trade and targeted enforcement support to dismantle drug cartels. I am proud to have served as a member of this Commission and look forward to seeing its work enacted.\"\n\n\"This report exemplifies the best of what our country can and must do to come together and address a complicated and complex national security problem. The bipartisan leadership of and support for this Commission worked together to address this difficult challenge head-on,\u201d said David Luckey, co-leader of the RAND Corporation team that helped to prepare the report for the Commission. \u201cThe recommendations laid out in this report provide a path to achieving a consensus strategic approach toward reducing this national security threat and saving American lives.\"\n\n\u201cCombating the trafficking of fentanyl must be a high priority for the United States government, the increase in overdose deaths is a national crisis, and this crisis must be met in a whole of government and whole of society effort,\u201d said D.L. McNeal, managing director and senior policy analyst, Longview Global. \u201cThe Commission\u2019s report outlines several recommendations for addressing this complex challenge.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nSince 1999, more than one million Americans have died from drug overdoses \u2014 far more than all of the US service members killed in battle in every war throughout our nation\u2019s history. The number of our citizens lost to opioids each year is more than double the number killed by firearms, motor vehicle accidents, or suicide.\n\nSynthetic opioids \u2013 primarily fentanyl \u2013 were responsible for nearly two-thirds of the over 100,000 reported drug overdose deaths in the United States in the 12-month period ending in June 2021. According to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, this rate is up 30% from the year prior.\n\nThroughout the Commission\u2019s work, it has become abundantly clear that this cannot be narrowly defined as a local- or state-level public health concern. In 2018, it was estimated that overdose fatalities cost the United States $696 billion. With the rise in overdose deaths in years since, it is fair to estimate that fatal overdoses are now at least a $1 trillion annual cost. Given this demonstrated financial strain and its devastating human impact, it is undeniable that the epidemic presents a threat to our national security and global competitiveness.\n\nThe U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking was established under Section 7221 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2020, and, by law, concluded its work on February 8, 2022. The Commission includes several federal departments and agencies, as well as four outside members appointed by congressional leadership from the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Commission is led by two co-chairs, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congressman David Trone (D-Maryland), who were appointed by congressional leadership and approved by the President of the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-support-buffington-petition-for-veteran-disability", "Cotton, Colleagues Support Buffington Petition for Veteran Disability", "2022-02-07", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 7, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Support Buffington Petition for Veteran Disability\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) today filed an amicus brief to support a review of Buffington v. McDonough before the Supreme Court.\n\nIn 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs refused to give Thomas Buffington the disability payments he had earned, and the U.S. Court of Appeals has since defended the VA\u2019s decision. In doing so, the Federal Circuit ignored court precedent and violated a long-standing practice of siding with the veteran when interpreting law.\n\nThe senators disagree with the Federal Circuit\u2019s decision and are supporting a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court.\n\nSpecifically, the senators argue:\n\n\u201c\u2026rather than following Congress\u2019s instruction that the courts should interpret these laws, and should do so in favor of veterans, the decision below invoked Chevron deference to endorse an agency \u201cinterpretation\u201d that disfavored veterans. By refusing to apply the pro-veteran canon at Chevron\u2019s first step, the lower court departed from the plain language of the statute and improperly placed the agency\u2019s view ahead of the established rule that any statutory ambiguities must be resolved in favor of the veteran.\u201d\n\nText of the brief may be found here.\n\n\u201cNo veteran should have to fight the VA to get the benefits they earned, and no court should defer to the administration instead of Congress and deny that compensation. It was wrong for the court to distort Congress\u2019 wishes by invoking Chevron deference\u2014the VA should pay Mr. Buffington what he\u2019s owed,\u201d said Cotton.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-about-doj-leniency-for-left-wing-arsonist", "Cotton Demands Answers About DOJ Leniency for Left-Wing Arsonist", "2022-02-07", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nFebruary 7, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers About DOJ Leniency for Left-Wing Arsonist\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding reports that the U.S. Attorney\u2019s office requested a significantly reduced sentence for Montez Lee, who plead guilty to one count of Arson, because the crime was committed during BLM riots.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cIn August 2020, the United States Attorney\u2019s Office in Minnesota indicted Lee on one count of Arson and he pleaded guilty on July 22, 2021. The sentencing guidelines called for a sentence of around 20 years. But the U.S. Attorney\u2019s office filed a Sentencing Memorandum asking for half this time. Most shockingly, the U.S. Attorney defended Montez Lee and expressed sympathy for his murderous arson because Lee\u2019s crime was committed during the BLM riots.\u201d\n\n\u201cShowing leniency towards a career criminal who committed murder is bad enough. But justifying the murder because the career criminal shares the Biden Administration\u2019s politics is beyond the pale. The American people deserve to know whether leniency for left-wing murderers is the official policy of the Biden Department of Justice, or whether this travesty was a one-off,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland,\n\nOn May 28, 2020, Montez Lee set fire to a pawn shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and murdered a 30-year-old father of five.\n\nIn August 2020, the United States Attorney\u2019s Office in Minnesota indicted Lee on one count of Arson and he pleaded guilty on July 22, 2021. The sentencing guidelines called for a sentence of around 20 years. But the U.S. Attorney\u2019s office filed a Sentencing Memorandum asking for half this time. Most shockingly, the U.S. Attorney defended Montez Lee and expressed sympathy for his murderous arson because Lee\u2019s crime was committed during the BLM riots.\n\nShowing leniency towards a career criminal who committed murder is bad enough. But justifying the murder because the career criminal shares the Biden Administration\u2019s politics is beyond the pale.\n\nThe American people deserve to know whether leniency for left-wing murderers is the official policy of the Biden Department of Justice, or whether this travesty was a one-off.\n\nPlease provide answers to the following questions by February 21, 2022.\n\nDoes the Attorney General believe participation in a riot is a basis for leniency in sentencing individuals for violent crimes?\n\nIn the Sentencing Memorandum, the government concludes that Montez Lee \u201cdoes not appear to pose a danger to the public.\u201d The Sentencing Memorandum stated that Lee, who was 25 when he committed this crime, had been convicted for burglary, domestic violence, and theft. The government also acknowledged that, in his domestic violence case, Montez Lee violently ruptured his girlfriend\u2019s eardrum. Given these convictions, all committed in a truncated period before Lee was even 25 and which put him at Criminal History Level IV (out of VI), please describe how the government concluded that Lee posed no danger to the community.\n\nPlease provide all communications between the United States Attorney\u2019s Office for Minnesota and any political appointees at the Department of Justice regarding the sentencing recommendation for Montez Lee.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-call-on-biden-to-enforce-sanctions-on-iranian-oil-tankers", "Cotton, Colleagues Call on Biden to Enforce Sanctions on Iranian Oil Tankers", "2022-01-28", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 28, 2022\n\nCotton, Colleagues Call on Biden to Enforce Sanctions on Iranian Oil Tankers\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and nine of his Senate colleagues sent a letter to President Joe Biden demanding that he enforce mandatory sanctions against the growing fleet of oil tankers selling Iranian oil and against the entities purchasing this oil. President Biden has so far refused to take action against the sharp rise in Iranian oil exports since he took office.\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write to urge you to take action against the growing fleet of oil tankers evading U.S. sanctions and against the entities purchasing Iranian oil from these tankers.\n\nAs you are aware, Iran\u2019s energy sector is a primary source of funding to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Because of its critical role in funding terrorism, the National Iranian Oil Company is subject to U.S. terrorism sanctions. Therefore, enforcing oil sanctions against Iran is also enforcing terrorism sanctions against Iran. Bipartisan laws enacted by Congress in 2011 and 2012 targeting Iran\u2019s oil exports and energy sector require the President to enforce these sanctions.\n\nThe U.S. maximum pressure campaign seriously reduced Iranian oil exports and curtailed the Iranian regime\u2019s ability to finance terrorism and other malign activities. From April 2018 to June 2020, Iranian oil exports shrank from nearly 2.9 million barrels per day to 600,000 barrels per day. Tehran faced severe budget deficits in 2019 and 2020 due to the decline in oil sales. This massive drop in revenue gave the United States significant leverage over Iran and impeded the regime\u2019s strategic ambitions.\n\nThese gains have been threatened by the disturbing rise in Iranian oil exports since your administration began, despite U.S. sanctions remaining in place. Iran exported an estimated 418 million barrels of oil in 2021, 123 million more than in 2020. Twice in 2021, Iranian oil exports exceeded 1.4 million barrels per day, the highest rate since March 2019. Three-quarters of this oil was exported to China, which purchased 310 million barrels of Iranian oil last year. In recent weeks, the Chinese government has openly acknowledged importing millions of barrels of Iranian oil for its strategic petroleum reserves.\n\nAs a result of this surge in oil sales, Iranian currency reserves soared from just $4 billion at the end of 2020 to $31 billion at the end of 2021. These Chinese purchases give the Iranian regime a vital lifeline and flout U.S. sanctions with impunity. While your administration has reportedly warned China and other countries about the sanctions risks to their companies, these entities remain unpunished.\n\nIran\u2019s increased oil exports are only possible because non-Iranian, foreign-flagged vessels are increasingly willing to risk U.S. sanctions to sell Iranian oil. Much of this activity is done illicitly, with foreign-flagged tankers transferring oil at sea from Iranian tankers to obscure the origin of their illegal cargo. These vessels avoid sanctions by hiding behind shell companies and often flying a false flag. Other such vessels turn off their satellite transponders, change their flag, or register under the flag of a country where maritime authorities are willing to look the other way. The number of foreign-flagged tankers suspected of involvement in the transport of Iranian oil has more than doubled from 70 vessels in November 2020 to 165 vessels in January 2022. This fleet will only continue to grow if your administration keeps refusing to crack down on this practice.\n\nThe vessel owners and their customers in China are taking greater risks because they believe that your administration is too weak and indecisive to punish them for their crimes. Your unwillingness to take actions that could jeopardize the doomed Vienna nuclear talks has undeniably emboldened these criminals. Meanwhile, the boom in oil sales has refilled the Iranian regime\u2019s once-empty coffers, removed crucial American leverage over Iran, and encouraged the Iranians to stall negotiations in Vienna and irreversibly advance their pursuit of a nuclear weapon. It is long past time to stop your dithering. You are putting U.S. national security at risk.\n\nWe urge you to enforce U.S. sanctions against entities that purchase Iranian oil and against those foreign-flagged oil tankers which keep Iran\u2019s illicit oil trade alive. Each day you delay gives Iran more money to finance their terrorist activity and more time to develop a nuclear weapon. We would also remind you that sanctions against Iran\u2019s oil exports are mandatory and passed Congress with bipartisan majorities. You are not above the law and must stop violating it.\n\nThe radical mullahs in Iran will only abandon their nuclear ambitions when they believe time is no longer on their side. Decisive action by your administration can stop the regime\u2019s malign activity; more concessions and polite expressions of impatience are not going to cut it.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to hearing from you.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-justice-breyers-retirement", "Cotton Statement on Justice Breyer\u2019s Retirement", "2022-01-27", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 27, 2022\n\nCotton Statement on Justice Breyer\u2019s Retirement\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the announced retirement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer:\n\n\u201cWhile I didn\u2019t often agree with Justice Breyer\u2019s jurisprudence, I honor and thank him for his decades of service to our country, from the Army to the Supreme Court. I wish him the very best in retirement. I encourage President Biden to nominate a jurist committed to the Constitution and the rule of law, instead of nominating yet another unqualified, left-wing ideologue, as he has done so often with lower-court nominees.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-education-secretary-about-collaboration-with-teachers-union-to-intimidate-parents", "Cotton Demands Answers from Education Secretary About Collaboration with Teachers Union to Intimidate Parents", "2022-01-24", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 24, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers from Education Secretary About Collaboration with Teachers Union to Intimidate Parents\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona asking about his involvement in a letter that the National Education Association (NEA) sent to tech leaders requesting that they censor users allegedly spreading \u201cmisinformation\u201d about unpopular school board policies. The letter may be found here.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cThe NEA\u2019s letter is remarkably similar to a letter sent just nine days earlier by the National School Board Association (NSBA) to President Biden. In that letter, the NSBA smeared parents as potential \u201cdomestic terrorists\u201d while singling out mask polices and critical race theory as the causes of disturbances at local school board meetings. The implication of both letters is the same: individuals opposed to critical race theory and mask mandates in schools are potential domestic terrorists.\u201d\n\n\u201cRecent reporting indicates that you asked the NSBA to write its letter to President Biden. Similarities in the timing and content of the NEA letter raise the troubling possibility that you or your staff may have had a hand in that letter, as well,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Miguel Cardona\n\nSecretary of Education\n\nDepartment of Education Building\n\n400 Maryland Ave, SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20202\n\nDear Secretary Cardona,\n\nI write regarding an October 8th letter that the National Education Association (NEA) sent to the leaders of Facebook (officially known as \u201cMeta\u201d), Twitter, and TikTok. This letter accused social-media platforms of spreading \u201cmisinformation\u201d about unpopular school board policies. Specifically, this letter singled out \u201cradicalized adults who falsely believe that graduate level courses about racism are being taught in K-12 public schools.\u201d This statement appears to be a thinly veiled reference to parents who are concerned about critical race theory, a radical ideology that claims America is a fundamentally racist country and attributes moral characteristics to people on the basis of race. The letter also decried a \u201csmall yet vocal group of extremists who are putting the safety of our children, educators, and families at risk over the notion that wearing a mask is in infringement on personal liberty.\u201d NEA accused groups concerned about curricula based on critical race theory and restrictive mask policies of spreading \u201cpropaganda\u201d and \u201clies\u201d on social media and requested that social-media companies \u201cstamp out\u201d such speech.\n\nThe NEA\u2019s letter is remarkably similar to a letter sent just nine days earlier by the National School Board Association (NSBA) to President Biden. In that letter, the NSBA smeared parents as potential \u201cdomestic terrorists\u201d while singling out mask polices and critical race theory as the causes of disturbances at local school board meetings. The implication of both letters is the same: individuals opposed to critical race theory and mask mandates in schools are potential domestic terrorists.\n\nRecent reporting indicates that you asked the NSBA to write its letter to President Biden. Similarities in the timing and content of the NEA letter raise the troubling possibility that you or your staff may have had a hand in that letter, as well.\n\nThe Biden administration already has a concerning record of collaboration with tech giants and teachers unions, including the NEA. Just last year, the NEA, along with other powerful teachers unions, inappropriately influenced the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as it developed guidance documents on school re-opening plans during the pandemic. Moreover, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that the Biden administration has identified \u201cproblematic\u201d posts for Facebook to censor because they allegedly contain \u201cmisinformation\u201d about coronavirus.\n\nBig Tech\u2019s potential censorship of concerned parents would be a chilling addition to the Biden administration\u2019s efforts to intimidate parents seeking a greater role in their children\u2019s education. Given these concerns, please respond to the following questions by January 31, 2022.\n\nDid you, your staff, or any employee of the Department of Education solicit or otherwise encourage the National Education Association\u2019s letter to the aforementioned social media companies?\n\nPlease provide all correspondence between your department and the National Education Association since January 21, 2021.\n\nHave you or your staff ever requested that social media companies, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, monitor, censor, demote, or otherwise limit the distribution of social media posts and groups related to school policies?\n\nPlease provide all correspondence between your department and the three aforementioned social media companies, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook since January 21, 2021.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-nba-should-force-warriors-palihapitiya-to-sell", "Cotton: NBA Should Force Warriors\u2019 Palihapitiya to Sell", "2022-01-18", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 18, 2022\n\nCotton: NBA Should Force Warriors\u2019 Palihapitiya to Sell\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement regarding Golden State Warrior part-owner Chamath Palihapitiya\u2019s comments dismissing the religious genocide against Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region of China:\n\n\u201cWoke CEO Chamath Palihapitiya said no one cares about the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s mass enslavement, torture, and rape of religious minorities. He may be so callous that he doesn\u2019t care about genocide, but the American people do. The NBA has investigated owners and forced a sale after outrageous comments before, and it even moved the All-Star game to protest a North Carolina law saying boys and girls shouldn\u2019t use the same bathroom. The league will prove itself greedy, spineless, and hypocritical if it doesn\u2019t force Palihapitiya to sell his interest in the Warriors.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-kelly-introduce-bill-to-end-reliance-on-china-for-rare-earth-elements", "Cotton, Kelly Introduce Bill to End Reliance on China for Rare-Earth Elements", "2022-01-14", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 14, 2022\n\nCotton, Kelly Introduce Bill to End Reliance on China for Rare-Earth Elements\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) today introduced the Restoring Essential Energy and Security Holdings Onshore for Rare Earths (REEShore) Act to protect America from the threat of rare-earth element supply disruptions, encourage domestic production of those elements, and reduce our reliance on China. Text of the bill may be found here.\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party has a chokehold on global rare-earth element supplies, which are used in everything from batteries to fighter jets. Ending America\u2019s dependence on the CCP for extraction and processing of these elements is critical to winning the strategic competition against China and protecting our national security,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cAs a 25-year Navy veteran who served in the South China Sea, I know just how critical it is to invest in our nation\u2019s defense and technology capabilities. Our bipartisan bill will strengthen America\u2019s position as a global leader in technology by reducing our country\u2019s reliance on adversaries like China for rare earth elements,\" said Kelly.\n\nThe REEShore Act Would:\n\nCreate a Strategic Reserve of Rare-Earth Elements: Require the Departments of Defense and the Interior to create a strategic reserve of rare-earth elements and products by 2025. The reserve must meet the needs of the U.S. military, defense industrial and technology sectors, and other critical infrastructure for one year in the event of a supply disruption.\n\nRequire Country of Origin Disclosure: Require Department of Defense contractors to track and disclose the origins of rare-earth magnets used in systems that it delivers to the U.S. military.\n\nRestrict Use of Chinese Rare-Earth Metals in Advanced Defense Technology: Prohibit Chinese rare-earth metals from being used in sensitive Department of Defense systems by 2026.\n\nInvestigate China\u2019s Unfair Trade Practices: Require the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Department of Commerce to submit a report to Congress on China\u2019s unfair trade practices in the rare-earth metal market, with potential tariffs to follow.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-bill-blocks-biden-plan-to-place-men-in-female-prisons", "Cotton Bill Blocks Biden Plan to Place Men in Female Prisons", "2022-01-12", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 12, 2022\n\nCotton Bill Blocks Biden Plan to Place Men in Female Prisons\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act, legislation to prohibit the Bureau of Prisons from housing prisoners with persons of the opposite sex. Text of the bill may be found here.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s plan to house male and female prisoners together will put women in danger. Documented cases prove that placing men\u2014including ones who \u2018identify\u2019 as female\u2014in women\u2019s prisons puts female inmates at increased risk of sexual assault. My bill will stop the president\u2019s ill-conceived plan and keep men and women separated in federal prison,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nThe American Principles Project, Heritage Action, and Concerned Women for America LCA support this bill.\n\nThe Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act would:\n\nForbid the Bureau of Prisons from using asserted \u201cgender identity\u201d to house inmates of one sex with inmates of the opposite sex.\n\nAs a condition of receiving certain federal law enforcement grant funds, forbid state correctional institutions from using gender identity to house inmates of one sex with inmates of the opposite sex.\n\nThe Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act would not:\n\nPrevent prisons from designating a separate housing option for inmates based on their asserted \u201cgender identity,\u201d as long as they are not housed with inmates of the opposite sex.\n\nFor example, a prison would be free to set up specific housing units for transgender inmates based on security, medical, or programming needs, but would not be allowed co-locate those inmates with inmates of the opposite sex.\n\nProhibit co-locating male and female prisoners for reasons unrelated to asserted \u201cgender identity.\u201d\n\nFor example, a state or federal institution would still be allowed to use short-term detention cells in a courthouse to house both male and female prisoners during a trial in which they are both witnesses, subject to normal security considerations to protect all detainees.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-boozman-ask-sba-to-improve-services-for-arkansans", "Cotton, Boozman Ask SBA to Improve Services for Arkansans", "2022-01-12", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 12, 2022\n\nCotton, Boozman Ask SBA to Improve Services for Arkansans\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration asking that the agency improve its constituent services, especially related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and an expansion of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL).\n\nArkansans relying on the PPP and the EIDL have reported unacceptable delays and limited communications from the SBA, even for routine requests such as address changes and form submissions.\n\nThe letter may be found here. Full text of the letter may be found below.\n\nJanuary 12, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Isabel Guzman\n\nAdministrator\n\nUnited States Small Business Administration\n\n409 3rd Street SW\n\nWashington, DC 20416\n\nDear Administrator Guzman,\n\nWe write to inquire about constituent service procedures at the Small Business Administration (SBA) and inform you of issues our offices have had when requesting help for Arkansans.\n\nAs you know, Congress approved the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and an expansion of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) under the CARES Act in March 2020. In the months immediately following passage of the CARES Act, it was understandable that the SBA\u2019s modest workforce would face issues reviewing and processing millions of applications to these programs. We appreciate the SBA\u2019s efforts to distribute EIDL and PPP loans to Arkansans struggling during the pandemic. However, nearly two years after these programs were signed into law, Americans are still dealing with unacceptable delays and limited communications from SBA. Here are a few examples from Arkansas:\n\nAn EIDL grant was sent to the wrong bank account after approval. The money was returned over a month ago, yet the application portal still says \u201cerror.\u201d\n\nA constituent has been trying to update his business address. He asked SBA to update it several times, but SBA officials have not yet updated it on the SBA portal. He was then told to update his address via email. He attempted to do so, but the problem remains unaddressed.\n\nAnother constituent sent in his 4506-T form more than 20 times, but SBA has not yet accepted the document. His document was denied a single time because it was submitted with a cover page.\n\nOne constituent\u2019s inquiry has been open since April 2021. The SBA continues to send the individual emails with instructions to move forward in the process, except each time the included link is expired.\n\nWe understand there are cases with legitimate technical issues that are out of the hands of any individual SBA employee processing these applications. However, our offices have noticed a pattern of Arkansans experiencing unreasonable difficulty accessing SBA programs that were supposed to be a lifeline for businesses during the pandemic.\n\nWe are also concerned that the SBA\u2019s remote work policies may be a factor in the organization\u2019s reduction of timely constituent services. We understand the need to provide employees with flexibility to carry out their jobs safely, but these policies must be reassessed when they negatively impact Americans\u2019 access to federal programs.\n\nWe ask that you consider ways to improve SBA\u2019s delivery of constituent services and work with Congress to make reforms, as needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-fda-about-using-race-to-determine-covid-treatment-eligibility", "Cotton Demands Answers from FDA About Using Race to Determine Covid Treatment Eligibility", "2022-01-12", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 12, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers from FDA About Using Race to Determine Covid Treatment Eligibility\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding answers about reports that the FDA is suggesting race should be used to determine eligibility for the monoclonal antibody treatment Sotrovimab.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cUsing race as a factor will lead to unjust and racist outcomes, where young, healthy individuals who qualify for treatment are prioritized over at-risk individuals because of the color of their skin. This racist policy will lead to additional deaths.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe FDA\u2019s race-based rationing is also blatantly illegal. Race-based rationing of care violates the Constitution and our civil rights laws, just as it runs afoul of our values as a nation,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Janet Woodcock, M.D.\n\nActing Commissioner\n\nU.S. Food and Drug Administration\n\n10903 New Hampshire Ave\n\nSilver Springs, MD 20993-0002\n\nDear Acting Commissioner Woodcock:\n\nI write today requesting information regarding the criteria used for determining an individual\u2019s eligibility for Covid-19 therapeutics.\n\nThe Washington Free Beacon reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a fact sheet suggesting race should be used to determine who qualifies for the monoclonal antibody treatment Sotrovimab. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also issued a fact sheet indicating that \u201csystemic health and social inequities\u201d have put minority populations at increased risk of contracting severe Covid-19.\n\nThese life-saving therapeutics are in short supply both in Arkansas and nationwide. While we are aware these fact sheets are non-binding, state health departments look to the FDA and other federal agencies for guidance when selecting which individuals receive Covid-19 therapeutics and treatments.\n\nData show that factors like age, pre-existing medical conditions, and comorbidities affect the toll this virus takes on an individual. These risk factors are already assessed when determining whether a person is eligible to receive Covid-19 treatment.\n\nUsing race as a factor will lead to unjust and racist outcomes, where young, healthy individuals who qualify for treatment are prioritized over at-risk individuals because of the color of their skin. This racist policy will lead to additional deaths.\n\nThe FDA\u2019s race-based rationing is also blatantly illegal. Race-based rationing of care violates the Constitution and our civil rights laws, just as it runs afoul of our values as a nation.\n\nPlease answer the following questions about the FDA\u2019s decision to use race as a factor in prioritizing care:\n\nWhy should a healthy 18-year-old non-white individual be prioritized over a 64-year white American with high blood pressure? What are the death rates for each person with those characteristics?\n\nWhat legal basis is the FDA relying on that justifies using race as an independent factor for receiving a Covid-19 therapeutic or treatment?\n\nI look forward to receiving your response and working to ensure that life-saving therapeutics are distributed to individuals who need them most.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-bill-to-permanently-control-fentanyl-analogues", "Cotton Introduces Bill to Permanently Control Fentanyl Analogues", "2022-01-10", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 10, 2022\n\nCotton Introduces Bill to Permanently Control Fentanyl Analogues\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Protecting Americans from Fentanyl Trafficking Act, legislation eliminating the expiration date on the Drug Enforcement Agency\u2019s (DEA) emergency scheduling of fentanyl analogues to allow for permanent control of the deadly substance. Bill text may be found here.\n\n\u201cIllicit fentanyl is made with the intent to create addicts and to kill. Granting the DEA permanent control of this deadly drug and its analogues will provide law enforcement the tools needed take these dangerous drugs off the streets,\u201d said Cotton.\n\nBackground:\n\nSenator Cotton first introduced the Protecting Americans from Fentanyl Act in April of 2021 and called for its passage by unanimous consent, but Senate Democrats objected to the motion.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-answers-from-doj-about-releasing-criminals-to-home-confinement", "Cotton Demands Answers from DOJ About Releasing Criminals to Home Confinement", "2022-01-04", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353\n\nJanuary 4, 2022\n\nCotton Demands Answers from DOJ About Releasing Criminals to Home Confinement\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the Department of Justice\u2019s recent decision to ignore the clear limits placed by Congress on pandemic-related home confinement of convicted federal criminals.\n\nIn part, Cotton wrote, \u201cThe Department\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel correctly concluded in January 2021 that the only tenable reading of the CARES Act is that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) could only exercise expanded home confinement placement authority during the coronavirus national emergency, and that the law requires that the BOP return such inmates to prison and follow the limits of longstanding federal law following the end of the emergency.\u201d\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, it seems that you have now decided to bow to the pressure from political activists rather than do your job. The Office of Legal Counsel, at your direction, issued a slapdash opinion reversing itself in December 2021. That new opinion is not based on the law, but rather on the policy goals of criminal leniency,\u201d Cotton continued.\n\nText of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland:\n\nI write today regarding the Department of Justice\u2019s recent decision to ignore the clear limits placed by Congress on pandemic-related home confinement of convicted federal criminals.\n\nWhen Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) in 2020, it granted temporary, emergency authority for the Department of Justice to house federal inmates in home confinement without regard for the typical limits on home confinement under federal law. The Department\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel correctly concluded in January 2021 that the only tenable reading of the CARES Act is that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) could only exercise expanded home confinement placement authority during the coronavirus national emergency, and that the law requires that the BOP return such inmates to prison and follow the limits of longstanding federal law following the end of the emergency. Activists asked the Department to ignore the law to reach their preferred policy outcome of mass early release of serious criminals, but ignoring the law is not within your authority. Indeed, it was publicly reported this summer that the Biden administration had reviewed the law in the hopes of pleasing those activists, but found that it could not.\n\nUnfortunately, it seems that you have now decided to bow to the pressure from political activists rather than do your job. The Office of Legal Counsel, at your direction, issued a slapdash opinion reversing itself in December 2021. That new opinion is not based on the law, but rather on the policy goals of criminal leniency. It even admits as much. Your opinion would also allow absurd results; under your baseless reading of the CARES Act, even after the coronavirus national emergency ends, the BOP would have 30 days during which it could release as many inmates as possible to home confinement and have them stay there until the end of their sentences, whether for years or even for the remainder of their lives. Such a scenario is not plausibly contained within the temporary authority that Congress granted to you, yet would be allowable under your new opinion.\n\nIt is Congress\u2019s duty to oversee the enforcement of federal law. Accordingly, please answer the following questions no later than 5:00PM on Wednesday, January 12, 2021:\n\nDid anyone in the White House direct you to have the Office of Legal Counsel reconsider or rescind its January 15, 2021 opinion?\n\nPlease provide a list of all meetings and phone calls between you, your staff, or any Department of Justice component with any outside group or individual between January 20, 2021, and December 21, 2021, in which the CARES Act or the BOP\u2019s authority to place inmates on home confinement was discussed. Note that there can be no justification for refusing to provide such a list to Congress, as all such information is required to be disclosed even to the general public upon request under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act.\n\nPlease provide copies of all written communications between you, your staff, or any Department of Justice component with any outside group or individual between January 20, 2021, and December 21, 2021, in which the CARES Act or the BOP\u2019s authority to place inmates on home confinement was discussed. Note that there can be no justification for refusing to provide such copies to Congress, as all such information is required to be disclosed even to the general public upon request under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act.\n\nThe CARES Act provides that, to grant an otherwise-ineligible inmate temporary home confinement during the pandemic, the Attorney General must first find that the emergency is \u201cmaterially affect[ing] the functioning\u201d of the BOP. On April 3, 2020, Attorney General Barr made such a finding based on the need to protect at-risk inmates from contracting COVID-19. Given that every inmate in BOP custody has now been vaccinated or offered the vaccine, please provide a written justification for continuing any use of the temporary home confinement authority under the CARES Act, and explain the conditions under which you plan to withdraw such continuing authority.\n\nPlease provide a list of all inmates who are currently placed on home confinement under the temporary authority granted by the CARES Act, broken down by primary offense, total sentence length, and the number of months remaining under their sentence.\n\nHow many inmates who were placed on home confinement under the temporary authority granted by the CARES Act have had their home confinement rescinded or have been rearrested for a new offense? Please provide a description of the offenses for which any such inmates have been rearrested, or the reasons for which their home confinement was rescinded.\n\nI look forward to your prompt response regarding this important matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 98, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Senate", "p1": "AR", "p2": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=AR&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 98, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=AR&year=2022&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=AR&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 98, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=AR&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "AR", "label": "AR", "count": 98, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=AR&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "2022", "label": "2022", "count": 98, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=AR", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 139.3930809572339, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}