url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-votes-for-economic-aid-for-arkansas-farmers,Rep. Crawford Votes for Economic Aid for Arkansas Farmers,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Votes for Economic Aid for Arkansas Farmers 12/20/2024 Washington, D.C. — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act, 2025 on Friday.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D4341C4D-0E85-485E-95BA-44F88C7739C9,"Boozman, Heinrich Secure Final Passage of Bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) helped secure Senate passage of their bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act as part of the larger Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, recreation legislation that also passed the House and will now go to the president’s desk to be signed into law. “Our youth deserve the opportunity to learn about and explore our national parks and develop an appreciation for the lands and resources that help define our nation. I am proud to see my colleagues recognize the benefits of facilitating outdoor adventure and education for children and families. I look forward to the extension of this significant program,” said Boozman. “As a father and a former outdoor educator, I know how much of a difference getting outside can make for our kids,” said Heinrich. “Since we passed my original Every Kid Outdoors Act into law five years ago, thousands of children and their families have been inspired to visit our public lands in New Mexico and all across the country. By keeping this program going, our public lands can continue serving as outdoor classrooms with endless opportunities for children to learn and families to make new memories.” Starting in 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. The authorization under the original legislation is currently scheduled to expire in 2026. Once signed into law, Boozman and Heinrich’s Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act will extend free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth grade students and their families through 2031. The Every Kid Outdoors program has been wildly successful at encouraging tens of thousands of children and their families to explore America’s public lands, waters and historic sites, including national parks – more than 2,000 sites in all. In 2023, Every Kid Outdoors vouchers helped create free admission for 9,896 visits to public lands by Arkansans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-westerman-bill-expand-outdoor-recreation-opportunities,SENATE PASSES WESTERMAN BILL TO EXPAND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Act (EXPLORE), bipartisan legislation sponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) to expand outdoor recreation access nationwide. Westerman released the following statement on the policy provisions included in the EXPLORE Act to reopen overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area: “As an avid outdoorsman, there’s nothing better than exploring and taking in all that the Natural State has to offer. From endless fishing opportunities to numerous hiking and biking trails, breathtaking views, and so much more, Arkansas is certainly not lacking in natural beauty,” said Congressman Westerman. “The EXPLORE Act, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill, works toward improving access and opportunity for experiencing greater outdoor recreation across our public lands and waters.” “The Fourth District of Arkansas wins with the included provision of reopening overnight camping access at the Albert Pike Recreation Area. The initial decision by the Forest Service to suspend overnight camping was a disappointment to numerous Arkansans, and this bill will safely reinstate that access in addition to better management of the Albert Pike Recreation Area, which is greatly needed. I look forward to working with the U.S. Forest Service to allow for safe and responsible usage for years to come."" ""Overall, the EXPLORE Act will modernize the visitor experience, reduce overcrowding, improve access for those with disabilities, address infrastructure issues, and reduce a burdensome permitting process experienced by small businesses who greatly depend on public land access for their livelihood. Not only is this bill a win for the Fourth District, it’s a win for all Americans, and I look forward to seeing the EXPLORE Act signed into law quickly by President Biden.” Click here for Westerman’s full statement on the passage of the EXPLORE Act. BACKGROUND: One of the most popular sites within the Ouachita National Forest is the Albert Pike Recreation Area (APRA), a unique area that has long attracted outdoorsmen and women from across the country. The U.S. Forest Service suspended overnight camping at APRA following a major flash flood that tragically killed 20 people on June 11, 2010. Since then, APRA has been to limited day use. Congressman Westerman’s EXPLORE Act will: Safely re-open any existing overnight campsites outside of the 100-year flood plain within 30 days of the bill’s enactment. Identify 54 areas that may be suitable for overnight camping in the recreation area within 6 months of the bill’s enactment. Establish at least 27 new overnight camping sites outside of the 100-year flood plain, including at least 8 with electric and water hookups, for public use within 2 years of the bill’s enactment. Require the rehabilitation necessary to make publicly accessible areas in APRA suitable for year-round day use. In addition to reopening overnight camping at APRA, the EXPLORE Act will benefit outdoor recreation across America by: Improving access to public lands and waters for outdoor recreation. Modernizing technology to improve visitor experiences, like increasing broadband connectivity and creating digital recreation passes. Streamlining the permitting process and reducing fees for small businesses that depend on public land access. Protecting rock climbing in iconic places and creating new long-distance bike trails. Restoring campgrounds and modernizing infrastructure. Supporting gateway communities by addressing housing shortages and outdated infrastructure. Improving accessibility for military service members, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and children.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-westerman-bill-honoring-music-legend-johnny-cash-bill,"SENATE PASSES WESTERMAN BILL HONORING MUSIC LEGEND JOHNNY CASH, BILL HEADS TO PRESIDENT'S DESK",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, the U.S. Senate passed H.R.7180, legislation sponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), to designate the post office in Kingsland, Arkansas, as the “Kingsland ‘Johnny Cash’ Post Office.” The bill passed the House on June 3, 2024. Westerman released the following statement: “I am immensely proud to hear that my bill to designate the post office in Kingsland, Arkansas, as the “Kingsland ‘Johnny Cash’ Post Office” has officially passed the Senate,” said Congressman Westerman. “This bill is a testament to the legacy Johnny Cash left behind through service to his country, his iconic music, and the deep impact he and his family have had on the Natural State. I am grateful for my friends Senator Cotton and Senator Boozman for pushing this legislation across the finish line. I look forward to this bill making its way to the president’s desk to be signed into law.” U.S. Senators John Boozman (AR) and Tom Cotton (AR) released the following statements: “Johnny Cash’s legendary career helped define a generation and still inspires artists today,” said Senator Boozman. “We are incredibly proud to call him an Arkansas native. I’m pleased this legislation to bestow the postal facility in his birthplace of Kingsland with his name is now headed to the president’s desk to serve as another reminder of his iconic and lasting impact.” “Johnny Cash was an Arkansas original with an unparalleled legacy in the Natural State. There is no more appropriate honor for Cash than for the post office in the hometown of Kingsland that he loved so dearly to bear his name,” said Senator Cotton. BACKGROUND:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=69C43B31-3A95-4DB3-9319-1883945B832C,"Water Infrastructure Resources Bill Containing Boozman Provisions Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, applauded Senate passage of legislation to strengthen water resources in Arkansas and across the country. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) authorizes water and wastewater projects, invests in ports and inland waterways, and improves U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) programs. “Reliable, efficient water infrastructure underpins our entire economy. It is incredibly important for Congress to come together in a bipartisan way to preserve and enhance it so our economy can grow and our quality of life continues to improve. I’m proud to have secured crucial support for projects in Arkansas that will impact communities across our state,” Boozman said. Several Boozman-authored provisions make key investments in Arkansas water infrastructure by:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ED0A3DCA-54B5-4DD5-97FE-EDB36EFEA2EF,Boozman Backs National Security Package,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) supported Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 that delivers quality of life enhancements for our servicemembers and their families while strengthening America’s national security through new policies that bolster recruiting, readiness and lethal capabilities. The measure also contains provisions Boozman led to advance the creation of an Academic Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base and a framework for the state of Arkansas to request permanent ownership of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs. “Providing for our national defense is one of Congress’ primary responsibilities, particularly at an incredibly volatile time around the globe,” Boozman said. “That begins with supporting our military personnel and their families with better pay, housing, childcare and other opportunities as well as improving recruitment efforts, enhancing our capacity to deter threats from adversaries, investing in our defense industrial base and ensuring readiness and lethality are the Pentagon’s main focus. This bill does just that, including through vital missions and defense industrial support in Arkansas, and I’m pleased it is now headed to the president’s desk to become law.” Boozman-led provisions in the FY25 NDAA: Authorize funding for an Academic Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith in support of the F-35 foreign pilot training mission; and Allow the state of Arkansas to develop or sell the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs; require development of the property to complement the national park; and provide a way for land to revert to the federal government if the state does not do so within three years. Other provisions in the legislation would: The measure now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-senate-passage-of-ndaa,Cotton Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 December 18, 2024 Cotton Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): “Our troops pledge their lives to the defense of our nation, and this bill gives them more support to perform that vital mission. I’m pleased that this year’s NDAA also ensures Arkansas remains a leader in our national defense by continued improvements to the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, upgrading the Red River Army Depot, and emphasizing the importance of Pine Bluff Arsenal. This year’s bill also included my provision that the Department of Defense cannot give contracts to tutoring services connected to Communist China and ensured that our nation’s heroes are buried at Arlington National Cemetery with the military honors that they have earned and deserve. While I’m disappointed it does not provide an increase in funding needed to field badly needed additional weapons, I’m pleased the bill excludes the Democrats' idea to force women into the draft and protects children from irreversible medical treatments pushed by radical gender-theory ideologues.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4243AEDB-05F3-40B3-8419-AF66D5748975,"Veterans Legislative Package with Boozman Provisions Passes Senate, Heads to U.S. House",2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Veterans’ Affairs committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, welcomed Senate passage of the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The legislation will now go the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. The Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act strengthens support for our nation’s veterans and caregivers by improving access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care and benefits, enhancing programs for student veterans and their families, and providing increased oversight to ensure the VA is meeting its lawful obligations. “This is an important step forward to support our men and women who have served and earned quality care and support. I’m pleased provisions I championed to attract top providers to serve veterans at the VA, ensure proper management is in place at its facilities, advance a more comprehensive approach to the veteran suicide crisis and more are one step closer to becoming law,” Boozman said. “This bipartisan legislation represents our commitment to deliver the support our veterans and their families expect and deserve.” Several Boozman-authored or cosponsored measures were included in the legislative package, including: Sections of the VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act, to: Modernize the VA’s antiquated pay system for physicians and other high-level clinicians, which will particularly benefit rural and other hard-to-hire markets; Increase and fine-tune the VA’s workforce data reporting requirements to help the VA and Congress be better informed on how to improve the hiring and onboarding process for future employees enterprise-wide. Update VA’s pay stipulations to include optometrists, expanding the coverage of certain rules and benefits to optometrists as well; Authorize the VA to waive pay limitations for the recruitment or retention of critical health care personnel, with a priority for certain positions, locations, and contracted care; Authorize the VA to have flexibility in compensating specified professionals, including the ability to pay awards, recruitment or relocation bonuses, retention allowances, incentives or bonuses, and earning from fee-basis appointments; and Click here to view Senator Boozman’s remarks on the CAREERS Act. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline (VACANT) Act, to: Limit the detailing of medical center directors to different positions within the VA; and Require the VA Secretary to ensure a plan is in place to fill vacant medical center director positions within 180 days of detailing. The Not Just a Number Act, to: Require the VA to examine veterans’ benefits usage in its annual suicide prevention report in order to evaluate the relationship between VA benefits and suicide outcomes; Require the VA to analyze which benefits have the greatest impact on preventing suicide; and Require the Department to issue recommendations for expansion of those benefits in the fight to combat veteran suicides. Click here to view Senator Boozman’s remarks on the Not Just a Number Act. Gerald’s Law Act, to: Expand Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits eligibility to terminally ill veterans who pass away at a non-VA facility while receiving hospice care. The VA OIG Training Act of 2023, to:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=96D4EC56-E2FB-4236-8B79-D6FA43D443BB,"Boozman, Luján Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Organ Donations and Save Lives",2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act to expand support available to living donors by allowing more donors to be eligible for compensation to cover wages, travel, childcare and caregiver expenses associated with donation. Each day, 17 Americans die while waiting for an organ transplant, with many of these patients suffering from kidney failure and undergoing costly and painful dialysis treatments. Under the current law, the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program helps low-income donors with reimbursements for expenses. However, the program’s impact is limited by income restrictions, preventing many potential donors from qualifying. Despite the kidney transplant waiting list exceeding 92,000, only about 6,000 living donations take place each year, in part due to the financial strain placed on donors. The HOLD Act seeks to alleviate this burden, encouraging more people to become living donors. Costs associated with donations can exceed $10,000 and are a key barrier for living donors. The HOLD Act prohibits the consideration of recipient income when determining eligibility for financial reimbursement to support more low and middle-income donors, delivers savings to Medicare by increasing living donation, and requires an annual assessment of the efficacy of the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program to Congress. “Organ donation saves thousands of lives each year and we can potentially save even more by increasing the pool of donors,” said Boozman. “This legislation would assist in breaking down barriers so financial considerations do not prevent Americans from meeting this urgent need. I’m proud to join Senator Luján on this bipartisan initiative.” “Every day, Americans lose their lives waiting for an organ transplant while generous living donors are unable to step forward because of the financial burden it could place on themselves and their families,” said Luján. “This bill will help remove those barriers, ensuring that if you are interested in giving the greatest gift, they will not have to choose between their livelihood and the opportunity to save a life. By empowering living organ donors with the resources they need, we may increase the number of donors, reduce the transplant waitlist, and save lives.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-austin-border-wall-disposal-must-fully-disclose,Cotton to Austin: Border Wall Disposal Must Fully Disclose,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 December 16, 2024 Cotton to Austin: Border Wall Disposal Must Fully Disclose Washington, D.C.— Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, demanding full transparency regarding on the Department of Defense’s role in selling parts of our southern border wall. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “I write to demand full accountability and transparency from the Department of Defense about its role in the disposal of excess border wall materials from the first Trump administration. While I recognize the shameful decision to halt the needed construction of the southwestern border wall was made by President Biden, I have outstanding questions regarding the Department’s role in disposing of the unused material.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. The Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20301-1000 Secretary Austin, I write to demand full accountability and transparency from the Department of Defense about its role in the disposal of excess border wall materials from the first Trump administration. While I recognize the shameful decision to halt the needed construction of the southwestern border wall was made by President Biden, I have outstanding questions regarding the Department’s role in disposing of the unused material. To that end, I direct that you provide the following by January 15, 2025: Written assurance that the Department will preserve all electronic and written material related to the disposition of the border wall materials. This includes the records, electronic or otherwise, of any individual involved in any aspect of the operation. A full accounting of the disposition of the materials in line with the plan required by section 2890 of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). A list of all companies who bought the materials. Thankfully, the egregious waste of taxpayer money and flaunting of urgent national security concerns will end on January 20, 2025, when President-elect Trump assumes office. Congress will use the records you are required by law to preserve to fully understand the Biden Department of Defense’s role in making our border less secure. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-introduces-comprehensive-health-care-bill-all-americans,WESTERMAN INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE BILL FOR ALL AMERICANS,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) introduced The Fair Care Act of 2024, a comprehensive health care reform plan to lower costs, decrease the number of uninsured individuals, protect those with preexisting conditions, and expand coverage options. Congressman Westerman released the following statement: “The American health care system is in need of serious reform,” said Congressman Bruce Westerman. “Government overreach has no place in the health care system, and Americans deserve to have access to quality, affordable health care regardless of a preexisting condition. This commonsense legislation will loosen the grip of Big Government on our health care system, while lowering costs, and ultimately reducing the number of uninsured Americans. The Fair Care Act creates a path forward for all Americans, providing the transparency and accessibility needed to make their own choices for the health care coverage that is best for them and their families. The Fair Care Act puts Americans first, provides peace of mind, and puts hard earned tax dollars back into their pockets. I look forward to seeing this bill move through the legislative process.” BACKGROUND: The Fair Care Act of 2024 is the fourth version of the Fair Care Act of 2019, crafted with more than 75 bipartisan provisions. Congressman Westerman will continue working toward a comprehensive health care legislation for all Americans in the 119th Congress. Some of the Fair Care Act of 2024 improvements include: Codifying the Affordable Care Act preexisting condition protections in HIPAA. Offering greater protections for patients with preexisting conditions through an ""Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Risk Pool"" and guaranteed coverage Medigap plans. Eliminating the employer health insurance mandate and allowing those with Employer Sponsored Insurance (ESI) offers to receive premium assistance. Strengthening and increasing enrollment in the commercial marketplace through expanded assistance to 600 percent FPL and state innovation waivers. Expanding the use of pretax dollars to cover more medical expenses, including insurance premiums and direct primary care arrangements. Promoting transparency by publishing provider networks and prices for common services. Requiring medical providers to send timely, transparent bills to patients. Discouraging hospital consolidation and anti-competitive behavior while protecting rural hospitals from closures. Modernizing the prescription drug approval process to bring safe, effective medicine to patients faster. Reforming Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) practices, including eliminating Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) fees. Expanding the number of health professionals that can provide telehealth services. Modernizing Medicare enrollment through a competitive bidding process, which promotes Medicare Advantage plans. Establishing a flexible Medicaid funding option for states and closing the gap between Medicaid eligibility and premium assistance in the individual market. Promoting fiscal accountability and solvency for Medicare and Medicaid.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=DA5BCFC4-693B-4D9A-BCB5-F467F9DD85F5,"Boozman, Luján Lead Push for Expanded Access to Radiology Services",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) are leading an effort to improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to health care services and address the provider shortage that exists nationwide, which is particularly dire in rural America. The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA) would allow radiologists to submit claims to Medicare for non-diagnostic services performed by radiologist assistants (RAs) they directly supervise in both the hospital and office setting. While RAs are recognized under Medicare to perform services under direct supervision, the radiology practices that employ them are unable to submit claims to Medicare for RA-performed services in hospitals, where they normally work. “Medicare patients should not go without access to important diagnostic tools either because of a lack of available personnel or red tape. Radiologist assistants are well qualified to fulfill this need, and our bipartisan legislation would ensure they can do so. Allowing Medicare coverage for these procedures is common sense and will help deliver timely and quality care,” Boozman said. “Health care worker shortages and unnecessary barriers should not prevent Medicare patients from accessing the care they need,” said Luján. “Allowing qualified RAs to provide services through Medicare is crucial to ensuring patients receive timely, high-quality care. This legislation will help address the impact of provider shortages, particularly in rural areas, and improve access to care for all Medicare patients.” In 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services adjusted RA supervision requirements, which allowed providers to be reimbursed by Medicare for services performed by RAs in the office setting. However, the adjustment did not include reimbursement by Medicare for RA services performed in the hospital setting, creating a disparity that negatively impacts the radiology care available in hospitals. This legislation addresses that gap to restore access for patients in either setting and removes disincentives that jeopardize the ability of radiologists to meet demand for care and treatment. “The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) applauds Senators John Boozman and Ben Ray Luján for introducing the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2024. With demand for quality and timely radiology services continuing to rise, MARCA will remove federal barriers to enable radiologists to fully utilize the radiologist assistant as an advanced practice provider specifically trained to assist on diagnostic and therapeutic radiology procedures. This monumental legislation will ensure that all services provided by a radiologist assistant, supervised by a radiologist as part of a radiologist-led team, receive Medicare reimbursement, regardless of the setting in which the radiology service is provided,” said American Registry of Radiologic Technologists CEO Liana Watson, DM, R.T.(R)(M)(S)(BS)(ARRT). “The American Society of Radiologic Technologists emphatically supports the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2024. The MARCA bill will ensure that all services provided by a radiologist assistant, supervised by a radiologist as part of a radiologist-led team, receive Medicare reimbursement, regardless of the setting in which the radiology service is provided,” said American Society of Radiologic Technologists CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T. (R)(M), FASRT, CAE. Click here to view bill text.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-announces-2024-congressional-app-challenge-winners,WESTERMAN ANNOUNCES 2024 CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE WINNERS,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) announced the winners for the Fourth District’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge. The Congressional App Challenge encourages high school students across the country to showcase their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills and knowledge by creating their own apps. The winning app, “AquaEye,” was created by Humam Al-shami from Arkansas Connections Academy & Mohammed Alroobi from Magnolia High School. This life-saving app is designed to assist lifeguards as they monitor large bodies of water to prevent and detect drownings. “Seeing the talent showcased by all participants of this year’s Congressional App Challenge was immensely encouraging,” said Congressman Westerman. “I am always excited to see the ingenuity and creativity displayed in our youth every year through this challenge – and this year was no different. The future is bright not only for these remarkable students, but for our state and nation as a whole. Congratulations to all participants of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge!” The “AquaEye” app will be on digital display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., along with winning apps from other congressional districts. This year, the Fourth District received 24 submissions from 71 students, and the winners were announced yesterday evening during a reception held in Hot Springs. The winners were chosen by a panel of 4 judges. The 2024 Fourth District top five teams are: First Place: Humam Al-shami from Arkansas Connections Academy & Mohammed Alroobi from Magnolia High School – “AquaEye” App. Second Place: Estefani Hernandez, Melany Olguin, and Jeremy Beltran from Dardanelle High School – “Grab and Go” App. Third Place: Alexis Hahn, Shelby Wyatt and Felix Carranza Morales from Dardanelle High School – “Community Connection” App. Fourth Place: Destinee Reed, Hannah Askew, Aubrey Avaritt, Atlantis Purifoy-Lake Hamilton High School – “Relaxation in Paradise” App. Fifth Place: Leslei Ramirez and Samantha Duran from Dardanelle High School – “Language Tutor” App. First Place Winner Second Place Winners Third Place Winner Fourth Place Winners Fifth Place Winners",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-bolster-american-defense-support-servicemembers,"WESTERMAN VOTES TO BOLSTER AMERICAN DEFENSE, SUPPORT SERVICEMEMBERS",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"December 11, 2024 WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Servicemember and Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25 (FY25 NDAA). Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement: “House Republicans, under the Servicemember and Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25 (FY25 NDAA), have passed legislation to improve the quality of life for all servicemembers and funnel key investments through defense programs in order to further position the United States as a global leader in defense,” said Congressman Westerman. “Concerns regarding low morale and stress on families have steep impacts on the military recruitment process, retention, and military readiness. We cannot and should not allow these factors to negatively affect the men and women in our military who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms.” “Several provisions in the FY25 NDAA are wins not only for our national security and servicemembers, but for the Fourth District of Arkansas. I am pleased to see several funding initiatives which positively impact East Camden and other industry areas within the Fourth District that are responsible for producing critical arms and supplies necessary for our national defense.” “Through this process, House Republicans have pushed back on radical, woke ideologies that have been needlessly pressed upon our military. These, and any other partisan ideals have no place in this sector, and I am pleased to see legislation pass the House to further protect our servicemembers and provide resources to better impact their quality of life. As global adversaries continue to threaten democracy around the world, I am encouraged to see several initiatives included in this bill to bring the hammer down on bad actors like China, Russia, and Iran, while continuing to support and provide aid to our ally in the Middle East – Israel. The FY25 NDAA cuts inefficient programs, saves money, and further stretches taxpayer dollars while ensuring the United States remains the global leader in defense. I am grateful for the bicameral work done by my Republican colleagues and look forward to seeing this bill move through the legislative process.” BACKGROUND: The FY25 National Defense Authorization Act: Permanently bans DoD from providing minors with gender dysmorphia medical treatments, like hormones and puberty blockers, that could result in sterilization. No teaching, training, or promotion of CRT in the military. Extends DEI hiring freeze; cannot establish any new positions or follow any open DEI positions. Prohibits DoD from contracting with advertising firms, like NewsGuard, that blacklist conservative news sources. Prohibits the sale of goods at DoD commissaries and exchanges from any entities that have or are engaged in a boycott of Israel. Prohibits DoD from using or citing casualty data from Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Prohibits DoD from requiring servicemembers and civilian employees to use zero-emission vehicles for official travel. Fully supports deployment of National Guard troops to augment Border Patrol activities at the southwest border. Continues providing battlefield intelligence to Israel to defeat Hamas. Authorizes full funding for joint US-Israel cooperative missile defense programs (Iron Dome, Arrow, David’s Sling) – which has a direct impact in the 4th District. Reverses the Biden Admin’s decision to cease production of the Standard Missile 3. Saves taxpayers $31 billion or 4% of current DoD spending levels. 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members (up to E-4). 4.5% pay raise for all other service members. $100 million for new schools of children of service members. Fully funds child care fee assistance programs to eliminate fee assistance wait lists for eligible families. Removes reversionary interest on Army Navy Hospital in Hot Springs to allow the state to develop or sell the property; requires the development to complement the national park; provides a way for land to revert to federal government if state does not want it. Background on the former Army-Navy Hospital: The nearly 21-acre site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which sits atop the city's downtown on National Park Service land, is rapidly falling into disrepair. The Army and Navy began use of the Hot Springs Reservation in 1887. The current major buildings, built by the U.S. Government in the 1930s, once served as the first general hospital in the country to serve Army and Navy patients. The site was deeded by the Army to the State of Arkansas in 1960 and became a state-run rehabilitation center; later being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI). In 2020, the state ceased all operations at the site, and it has remained vacant since, falling victim to increased vandalism and unauthorized access, leading to serious safety and fire concerns for the surrounding areas. The FY24 NDAA authorized grant funding to the Army-Navy Hospital for on-site security and fire prevention services. The second FY24 appropriations package allocated $2.75 million in funding that was authorized by the FY24 NDAA. On September 10th, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) approved a federal grant for $2,750,000 to the State of Arkansas in support of the former Army-Navy Hospital. Click here for the full text of the FY25 NDAA.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-west-point-find-source-of-trump-nominee-smears,Cotton to West Point: Find Source of Trump Nominee Smears,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 December 11, 2024 Cotton to West Point: Find Source of Trump Nominee Smears Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lieutenant General Steven Gilland urging a prompt investigation into the false information fed to a left-wing media outlet by a U.S. Military Academy official. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “This statement is incorrect; not only did Mr. Hegseth apply, but he was also accepted to the West Point Class of 2003. Worse, the statement may violate Mr. Hegseth’s rights under the Privacy Act of 1974 by revealing protected personal information. If true, it also demonstrates egregiously bad judgment to share such information about the nominee to be Secretary of Defense with a known liberal outlet like ProPublica.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. December 11, 2024 Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland, USA Superintendent, United States Military Academy 606 Thayer Rd. West Point, NY 10996 Dear Lieutenant General Gilland, I’m concerned about reports that a U.S. Military Academy official has provided false information to a left-wing reporter writing a derogatory hit piece about Pete Hegseth, the nominee for Secretary of Defense. I understand that a civilian public-affairs officer, Theresa Brinkerhoff, informed a reporter that Mr. Hegseth didn’t apply to West Point, as he has said publicly in the past. This statement is incorrect; not only did Mr. Hegseth apply, but he was also accepted to the West Point Class of 2003. Worse, the statement may violate Mr. Hegseth’s rights under the Privacy Act of 1974 by revealing protected personal information. If true, it also demonstrates egregiously bad judgment to share such information about the nominee to be Secretary of Defense with a known liberal outlet like ProPublica. Could you please promptly look into this matter? Perhaps there’s an honest mistake here, though I can’t imagine what it might be. But I also can’t imagine this action was authorized or known to the West Point leadership. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-protect-and-support-national-waterways,WESTERMAN VOTES TO PROTECT AND SUPPORT NATIONAL WATERWAYS,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2024: “Water resources and its impacts on our nation are imperative to bolstering necessary infrastructure, improving waterways, and providing safety and relief from deadly flooding. Water resources are critical to the Fourth District of Arkansas, which is why I am proud that the House passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. This bipartisan bill works for all Americans, and I am honored to have had several wins for the Fourth District included in this piece of legislation,” said Congressman Westerman. “Earlier this year, I introduced the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act, along with my colleagues, Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), and Steve Womack (R-AR-03). This piece of legislation expands opportunities to improve and develop outdoor recreation facilities at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) managed areas. States like Arkansas depend on outdoor recreation as a fundamental part of their daily lives and as a major economic contributor. Because so many of our most beloved outdoor recreation facilities must jump through numerous hoops to maintain and manage their sites, the LAKES Act will correct those discrepancies, cut unnecessary federal red tape, and make it easier for the Corps to manage their sites so that these outdoor recreation areas can be enjoyed for generations to come. I am pleased to have seen many parts of this legislation included in the WRDA package. America and Arkansas win with the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, and I am excited to see it quickly signed into law.” BACKGROUND: WRDA 2024 is the biennial, bipartisan bill that includes United Sates Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) water resource projects of national, regional, and local significance to help strengthen the Nation’s global competitiveness, grow the economy, ensure the movement of goods throughout the supply chain, protect communities, and create jobs. Primary provisions in the bill include: Improves Corps recreation facilities, creating a pathway for them to retain certain fees collected and partner with private nonprofit organizations for maintenance and operation activities. Strengthens support for small, rural, distressed communities by reforming EDA’s technical assistance, project predevelopment, and planning. Redistributes unobligated balances under the TIFIA program to the states through the STBG program. Outlines a process to direct the Transportation Secretary to determine the amount of unobligated balances on April 1st under the TIFIA program and redistribute 75 percent of that amount to the states, in FYs 2025 and 2026. Requires the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to implement a standard methodology of measuring occupancy and utilization of public buildings and directs the consolidation and sale of underused space. Authorizes the construction of 22 locally driven projects and more than 200 feasibility studies to evaluate new projects, which will improve ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other crucial pieces of water resources infrastructure. Strengthens supply chains by prioritizing the infrastructure and maintenance needs of our Nation’s harbors — both big and small – and our critical navigational waterways. Reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Dam Safety Program through 2028 and strengthens the effectiveness and accountability of the High Hazard Potential Dam program. WRDA Fourth District Wins: A modified version of the LAKES Act, which was introduced by Rep. Westerman. Encourages restored access to recreational access at Lake Dardanelle for snag fishing. Guarantees Arkansas has dredge access when needed most by ensuring the Dredge McFarland and its subsequent replacement stay in “ready reserve” status to assist in emergency events. Extends the Independent External Peer Review Program to continue improving the quality and efficiency of project planning at the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Increasing the Federal cost share on Inland Waterways projects up to 75%, ensuring that Inland Waterways Trust Fund dollars go farther.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E6FAF3C8-E516-4CB7-AAD4-B7DA5DC90DA8,Boozman Honored as Champion of America’s Global Leadership,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"“It is an honor to be recognized alongside such strong advocates for America’s international leadership. During my time in Congress, I have been proud to support foreign assistance programs that not only aid our allies, partners, neighbors and potential new markets, but also serve to bolster U.S. security and economic opportunity. I look forward to continuing to champion our nation’s critical role in saving lives, curing disease and feeding the hungry globally, including by ensuring our farmers have the tools and resources necessary to produce a safe and abundant food supply,” Boozman said. “At a time of rising threats abroad, leaders like Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Senator Susan Collins, Senator John Boozman, and Representative Gregory Meeks prove that America’s strength lies in its unity of purpose,” said USGLC President & CEO Liz Schrayer. “They get it: showing up on the world stage with effective diplomacy and global development isn’t just about helping others, it’s about making a difference for America’s kitchen table issues. It’s how we outcompete China, safeguard our security, and grow our economy. I’m enormously proud to see USGLC once again bring together hundreds of bipartisan leaders from across the public and private sectors for this annual celebration of change-makers—because when these champions lead, America wins.” As the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and a co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, Boozman has crafted, shaped and passed policies to combat the global food security crisis. The senator is also a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and serves on the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee that oversees funding for U.S. foreign assistance. In October 2023, Boozman joined USGLC for its inaugural South Summit hosted in Little Rock. The event highlighted how states like Arkansas and others across the American South are impacted by America’s leadership abroad. The USGLC is a broad-based influential network of over 500 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments in American foreign assistance and development. USGLC’s Arkansas Advisory Committee brings together more than 50 prominent business, nonprofit, military, faith-based, political and academic leaders – co-chaired by former Senators Tim Hutchinson and Mark Pryor – who understand how American global leadership matters for Arkansas and why investments in development and diplomacy help keep America safe and strengthen Arkansas’s economy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-scott-introduce-legislation-to-block-us-tax-breaks-for-chinese-communist-party,"Cotton, Scott Introduce Legislation to Block U.S. Tax Breaks for Chinese Communist Party",2024-12-06,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 December 6, 2024 Cotton, Scott Introduce Legislation to Block U.S. Tax Breaks for Chinese Communist Party Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) today introduced legislation to rescind the finalized rule under section 45X of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to prevent Chinese companies from accessing billions of dollars in U.S. tax credits. This legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman Moolenaar (R- Michigan) and Congressman Golden (D-Maine). “The Chinese Communist Party has used every opportunity to exploit loopholes in our system for their personal gain. Our adversaries should not benefit from U.S. tax credits,” said Senator Cotton. “The Communist Party of China has made it clear they are an adversary to our nation who will stop at nothing to undermine America's national security, economy and way of life. Our legislation makes clear that the United States will not allow the Communist Chinese Party to benefit off U.S. taxpayer dollars and try to put American companies out of business,” said Senator Scott. Text of the legislation may be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-legislation-to-eliminate-federal-use-of-the-term-west-bank,Cotton Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Federal Use of the Term “West Bank”,2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 December 5, 2024 Cotton Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Federal Use of the Term “West Bank” Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Retiring the Egregious Confusion Over the Genuine Name of Israel’s Zone of Influence by Necessitating Government-use of Judea and Samaria (RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria) Act, legislation to require all official U.S. documents and materials to use the historically accurate term “Judea and Samaria” instead of the “West Bank”. This bill would require the use of historically accurate terminology and align U.S. policy language with the geographical and cultural significance of the region. This legislation was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-New York). “The Jewish people’s legal and historic rights to Judea and Samaria goes back thousands of years. The U.S. should stop using the politically charged term West Bank to refer to the biblical heartland of Israel,” said Senator Cotton. ""The Israeli people have an undeniable and indisputable historical and legal claim over Judea and Samaria, and at this critical moment in history, the United States must reaffirm this,"" said Congresswoman Tenney. ""This bill reaffirms Israel's rightful claim to its territory. I remain committed to defending the integrity of the Jewish state and fully supporting Israel's sovereignty over Judea and Samaria."" Text of the legislation may be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/chairman-cotton-names-brian-colas-as-senate-republican-conference-staff-director,Chairman Cotton Names Brian Colas as Senate Republican Conference Staff Director,2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 December 4, 2024 Chairman Cotton Names Brian Colas as Senate Republican Conference Staff Director Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), the incoming Senate Republican Conference Chair, today named Brian Colas Staff Director for the Senate Republican Conference. Colas has previously served as Senator Cotton’s Chief Counsel, and campaign manager. “Brian Colas is a trusted advisor and friend who will work tirelessly to help our Senate Republican Majority deliver results for the American people. I’m glad Brian will be returning to serve as Staff Director, and I know that he’ll be an asset to the entire Senate Republican Conference.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-kaine-introduce-legislation-to-help-address-drug-shortages-and-supply-chain-vulnerabilities,"Cotton, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Help Address Drug Shortages and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities",2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 December 4, 2024 Cotton, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Help Address Drug Shortages and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) today introduced the Protecting Our Essential Medicines Act, legislation to help address drug shortages and vulnerabilities in the drug supply chain by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain a list of the country of origin of certain critical drugs marketed in the United States. “Americans deserve to know where their life-saving medicines come from. This legislation requires greater transparency in the sourcing of critical drugs, helping to protect patients and strengthen trust in our healthcare system,” said Senator Cotton. “While we’ve taken steps in recent years to increase domestic manufacturing of prescription drugs—including in Petersburg, Virginia—we need to do more. I’m glad to join Senator Cotton in introducing this legislation to help address drug shortages and decrease our reliance on pharmaceutical products manufactured in other countries,” said Senator Kaine. Text of the legislation may be found here. The Protecting Our Essential Medicines Act would: Direct the HHS Secretary to establish an interagency task force in consultation with FDA, CDC, DOD, DHS, ASPR, CBP, and ODNI to identify and maintain a list of drugs that are: Critical to the health and safety of U.S. consumers; Those for which a shortage would have adverse health outcomes on patients with chronic conditions; and Countermeasures classified as qualified pandemic or epidemic products. Direct the task force to create two subsequent lists – one public and one confidential. The public list would describe the top three countries from which the U.S. imports each drug. The confidential list would describe drugs that are produced exclusively in China. Earlier this month, the senators introduced the End Drug Shortages Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help reduce the prevalence and severity of drug shortages. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-legislation-to-expel-chinese-police-operatives-in-us,Cotton Introduces Legislation to Expel Chinese Police Operatives in U.S,2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 December 3, 2024 Cotton Introduces Legislation to Expel Chinese Police Operatives in U.S. Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2024, legislation that will impose sanctions on police departments operated by the People’s Republic of China in the United States. The act also sanctions those associated with the United Front Work Department who attempt to coerce or intimidate individuals residing in the United States. “No foreign government has the right to operate secret police stations on American soil. The Chinese Communist Party’s actions undermine international norms and human rights by circumventing legal extradition processes and engaging in intimidation tactics. This legislation sends a clear message: the United States will not tolerate illegal operations that violate our sovereignty and intimidate individuals living within our borders,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the legislation may be found here. The Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2024 would: Imposes sanctions on Chinese police institutions operating in the U.S. and those associated with them Imposes sanctions on those acting under the direction or control of the United Front Work Department to monitor and intimidate individuals in the U.S. Revoke visas of the above. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-rep-westerman-featured-why-america-struggling-evs-documentary,"ICYMI: REP. WESTERMAN FEATURED ON ""WHY AMERICA IS STRUGGLING WITH EVS"" DOCUMENTARY",2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) was recently featured in the MotorTrend documentary, ""Why America is Struggling with EVs"" to discuss unnecessary government subsidies and mandates regarding EVs which ultimately harm, not help Americans. Watch the full documentary at the link HERE. Topline quotes: “When the internal combustion engine came along, you didn’t need a government subsidy to build gas stations. The market demanded filling stations along the roadways and people built them – they’re still building them today. Why does it take a government subsidy to build a charging station? It’s because they’re trying to force something in the market where government has no place forcing it in the market. Pushing EVs through government subsidies and regulations, I think, is bad policy.” ""[EVs are] being billed as the solution to a climate issue and they’re not [the solution]. 13.49% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the United States. 29% of that comes from Transportation. Then you look at all of Transportation which includes planes, trains, and automobiles. Only 57% of the emissions come from light duty trucks and passenger vehicles. So now you’re down at 2.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from U.S. light duty trucks and passenger vehicles. If we were totally serious about reducing carbon emissions, there would be a much greater focus on nuclear power."" ""We’re doubling down on wind and solar and we’re doubling down on EVs when there’s a lot bigger piece of the pie that could be captured by building nuclear power plants and either keeping the hydro that we have or expanding the hydro that we have.” ""[China] doesn’t have a free market system, but they use their government-controlled system to unfairly compete in our free market system.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ABA8FB09-5964-4B1F-BC2F-75FC73F49419,Boozman Earns Salvation Army’s “Fight for Good” Award,2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Salvation Army National Commander Kenneth Hodder, Commissioner Jolene Hodder, National Advisory Board Chairman Marc Belton, and Special Representative to Capitol Hill Captain Trey Jones present Sen. John Boozman with the Fight for Good award. WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) was recognized with the “Fight for Good” award by the Salvation Army for his advocacy of policy priorities that support vulnerable populations during the 118th Congress. The Salvation Army presented its “Fight for Good” award to lawmakers who demonstrate exceptional leadership and champion policies in support of its mission to alleviate poverty and prevent homelessness throughout the United States. “I greatly appreciate the tireless work of the Salvation Army and its members to better the lives of Arkansans and Americans. It is an honor to receive this recognition from such a storied and admirable organization whose values we all share. I look forward to continuing my efforts to support those in need,” Boozman said. Approximately 2,700 Arkansans experienced homelessness in 2019, marking a 33 percent decline since 2007. The Salvation Army provides food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment and more at over 6,400 centers of operation around the country.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-icc-threats-against-allies-should-face-retaliation,Cotton: ICC Threats Against Allies Should Face Retaliation,2024-11-10,2024,2024-11,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 November 10, 2024 Cotton: ICC Threats Against Allies Should Face Retaliation Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the International Criminal Court’s continued threats against Israeli officials: “The International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction in Israel and its illegal pursuit of Israeli officials is built on a lie. Any attempt by kangaroo court prosecutor Karim Khan to threaten the United States or our allies should be seen as an act of aggression and face swift retaliation. A bipartisan majority in the House has passed a bill to sanction Karim Khan and anyone else involved in any U.S., Israeli, or other allied citizen being wrongfully targeted by the ICC. Chuck Schumer should immediately bring this up for a vote in the Senate.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=788B417C-C395-430A-8DCB-2B44157A6EA0,Boozman Statement on 2024 Election Results,2024-11-06,2024,2024-11,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement on the results of the 2024 election: “It is clear voters have demanded new leadership in the Senate and a return to the agenda President Trump has fiercely championed. I look forward to helping the president-elect and this incoming Republican Senate majority restore prosperity, border security and public safety. The Senate Agriculture Committee will refocus on strengthening our rural communities and we will provide farmers and ranchers the policies and support they desperately need to remain viable.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:02:12Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=84359F18-4935-4948-9A2E-B1F2A1998BAF,Boozman Convenes 2024-2025 Arkansas Congressional Youth Cabinet,2024-10-31,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) launched the eighth year of his Congressional Youth Cabinet on Tuesday at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock. The meeting brought together 114 high school juniors who were selected from public, private, charter and homeschool students across the state for their involvement and leadership in their communities. “The Congressional Youth Cabinet benefits Arkansas students and families as well as their communities by promoting a healthy public policy dialogue and developing the next generation of leaders in our state. I am pleased to welcome this group of bright young people to contribute their ideas and experiences as we explore legislative solutions to the issues that interest them most,” Boozman said. “Their enthusiasm for enhancing their own understanding of civic engagement and helping shape the future of our state and country is inspiring.” Senator Boozman and Congressional Youth Cabinet participants in Little Rock. The Congressional Youth Cabinet is a non-partisan program that gives students insight and experience with the legislative process. The students will attend meetings throughout the year and work in teams to select and research national issues. In the spring, the students will present their policy recommendations to the senator. Click here for more photos from the CYC kick-off. The following students were selected to participate in the Congressional Youth Cabinet for the 2024-2025 school year: 1st Congressional District Jack Coleman – Mountain Home Mark Gregory Green – Harrison Lindsay Dunsing – Alpena Luke Wilkins – Batesville Penelope Jackson – Melbourne Natalie Rodriguez – Cabot Ella Curry – Alpena Suraya Tennison – Alpena Sara Hinson – Bergman Kayla Thorndike – Cabot Adam Stanisor – Cabot Bryce Veasman – Cabot Kaitlyn Carmical – Cabot Jeremy Jason – Lake City Andrew Boots – Jonesboro Spencer May – Jonesboro Sam Vaught – Wynne Christian Boykin – Earle Ajiah Parker – Earle Aryanna Perry – Earle Jada Maples – Earle Lucas White – Manila Kera Fesperman – Marion Penelope Marie Salas – Marion Gabrielle Weathers – Lepanto Harlynn Robertson – Jonesboro Deven Isbell – Jonesboro William Crader – Jonesboro Bentley McCoy – Clarendon Sam Sabbatini – Hazen Hailey Nichols – Wynne Derek Lately Jr. – Earle Zavion Maples – Earle Kialynn Mitchell – Earle 2nd Congressional District 3rd Congressional District Schuyler Henehan – Fort Smith Robinson Skaggs – Bentonville Cole Kessman – Fayetteville Kyndall Richey – Bentonville Manvitha Narasimhan – Bentonville Evalyn Clark – Bentonville Lily Cate Caldwell – Bentonville Matthew Velasquez-Amaya – Fort Smith Preston Thai – Bentonville Khant Sin – Fayetteville Evangelina Hernandez – Fort Smith Grayson Proctor – Lavaca Adrian Gonzalez – Lavaca Sydney Turner – Fayetteville Lydia Parsley – Springdale Terri Michelle Turner – Fort Smith Alee Thongprachanh – Fort Smith Colt Hood – Greenland Caroline Sanders – Bentonville Sullivan Shepard – Rogers Oakley Allen – Fort Smith Weston Arnett – Greenwood Jadyn Patterson – Bentonville Saqib Memon – Fayetteville Sarah Amor – Fort Smith Clara Hibbard – Mountainburg Drake Norris – Fort Smith Madelyn Maxey – Fort Smith Aubree Stewart – Springdale Aneeka Srivastava – Bentonville Nidhi Nair – Bentonville Grace Dickinson – Tontitown Tatum Grace Loe – Fort Smith Nathan Barney – Bentonville Jude Alfaouri – Fayetteville Claire Hassler – Fort Smith Hannah Elliott – Greenwood 4th Congressional District",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-co-leads-legislation-to-aid-farmers,Crawford Co-Leads Legislation to Aid Farmers,2024-10-25,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"10/25/2024 Washington, D.C. – Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) joined 47 of his colleagues in introducing legislation that will provide immediate support to farmers as Congress continues debating a long-term Farm Bill. The Farm Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act (FARM Act) provides emergency assistance to producers of eligible commodities for which the expected revenue in crop year 2024 is below the projected per-acre cost of production. Current Farm Bill safety net provisions utilize cost of production data from 2012. As a result, the aid provided by these programs has not kept up with inflation. ""As lending season approaches, farmers must work to secure credit for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, credit is drying up as producers face climbing farm input costs and a decline in net farm income. Congressional Democrats have been unwilling to compromise on a new Farm Bill that provides long-term certainty for farm country, and so House Republicans are stepping up once again for our ag producers with this critical economic assistance,"" said Rep. Crawford. ""Farmers have been hit with circumstances outside of their control, such as natural disasters, inflation pressures, and drought, which have crippled their ability to obtain financing from credit and banking institutions. The FARM Act will bridge the gap, providing relief so that our farmers can continue to do their best—feed the nation,"" said Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01). Original co-sponsors include: Representatives Sanford Bishop (GA), Julia Letlow (LA), Rick Allen (GA), Michael Guest (MS), Mike Rogers (AL), Barry Moore (AL), Austin Scott (GA), Don Bacon (NE), Rick Crawford (AR), Jerry Carl (AL), John Rose (TN), Vicente Gonzalez (TX), Greg Murphy (NC), Jake Ellzey (TX), Troy Nehls (TX), Dale Strong (AL), Brad Finstad (MN), David Rouzer (NC), Robert Aderholt (AL), Chuck Fleischmann (TN), Michelle Fischbach (MN), Mike Ezell (MS), Troy Balderson (OH), Tony Gonzales (TX), Henry Cuellar (TX), Michael McCaul (TX), Monica De La Cruz (TX), Clay Higgins (LA), Mike Collins (GA), Pat Fallon (TX), Pete Sessions (TX), Ronny Jackson (TX), David Kustoff (TN), Randy Feenstra (IA), John Carter (TX), Frank Lucas (OK), August Pfluger (TX), Gary Palmer (AL), Juan Ciscomani (AZ), Buddy Carter (GA), Brian Babin (TX), Jim Baird (IN), Randy Weber (TX), Lance Gooden (TX), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Marc Veasey (TX), Nathaniel Moran (TX), and Michael Rulli (OH). The FARM Act is endorsed by: American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Peanut Federation, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, USA Rice, Western Peanut Growers Association and National Corn Growers Association.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-doj-and-ftc-systemic-weaponized-leaks-violate-ethics-rules,"Cotton, Colleagues to DOJ and FTC: Systemic, Weaponized Leaks Violate Ethics Rules",2024-10-24,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 October 24, 2024 Cotton, Colleagues to DOJ and FTC: Systemic, Weaponized Leaks Violate Ethics Rules Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today led four of his colleagues in a letter to Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and Federal Trade Commissioner Inspector General Andrew Katsaros, demanding an investigation into systemic media leaks. These leaks, all to the same media outlet, resulted in negative headlines about the Biden-Harris administration’s antitrust targets and potentially violated ethics rules. Co-signers to the letter included Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Senators Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska). In part, the senators wrote: “These leaks result in negative headlines about the administration’s targets while the targeted companies have no way to respond, as they haven’t yet seen the potential lawsuits. Both DOJ and FTC have ethics rules that prohibit leaking civil cases before the cases are filed.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 24, 2024 The Honorable Michael Horowitz United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530 Mr. Andrew Katsaros Inspector General Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 Dear Inspectors General Horowitz and Katsaros, We write asking you to investigate whether the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have violated their own ethics rules by systematically leaking potential antitrust cases to a specific media outlet. Since 2023, Bloomberg News has broken the news in at least twelve instances that DOJ or FTC was “preparing” or “poised” to take legal action before a lawsuit was filed. Indeed, the same journalist reported on eleven of these cases. This pattern strongly suggests that certain officials at DOJ and FTC are intentionally publicizing legal action days or weeks before filing. These leaks result in negative headlines about the administration’s targets while the targeted companies have no way to respond, as they haven’t yet seen the potential lawsuits. Both DOJ and FTC have ethics rules that prohibit leaking civil cases before the cases are filed.[*] Bloomberg News reporting DOJ and FTC antitrust actions before the filing of a lawsuit January 23, 2023: DOJ Poised to Sue Google Over Digital Ad Market Dominance February 23, 2023: DOJ Preps Antitrust Suit to Block Adobe’s $20 Billion Figma Deal May 15, 2023: Amgen’s $28 Billion Horizon Deal Faces Unexpected FTC Hurdle June 29, 2023: Lina Khan Is Coming for Amazon, Armed With an FTC Antitrust Suit October 16, 2023: Real Estate Brokers Pocketing Up to 6% in Fees Draw Antitrust Scrutiny February 20, 2024: FTC, States to Sue Over Kroger-Albertsons Deal Next Week March 20, 2024: Justice Department to Sue Apple for Antitrust Violations April 10, 2024: Nippon Steel Bid to Buy US Steel Gets Extended Antitrust Review April 17, 2024: Tapestry’s $8.5 Billion Capri Deal Faces Planned FTC Lawsuit May 22, 2024: US Justice Department to Seek Breakup of Live Nation-Ticketmaster July 10, 2024: FTC Preparing Suit Against Drug Middlemen Over Insulin Rebates September 23, 2024: Visa Faces Justice Department Antitrust Case on Debit Cards These leaks aren’t just unethical, but they harm these companies’ employees, shareholders, and others. If the companies have engaged in wrongdoing, by all means the government should try them in a court of law. But the Biden-Harris administration shouldn’t try them in the liberal media. These leaks appear to be simply one more instance of this administration weaponizing the administrative state against politically disfavored opponents and critics, much like DOJ investigating parents at school-board meetings or the FTC targeting Elon Musk and Twitter for insufficient censorship of conservatives. We urge you to investigate promptly these systematic, unethical, and potentially illegal leaks. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-garland-doj-singles-out-conservative-sweepstakes,Cotton to Garland: DOJ Singles Out Conservative Sweepstakes,2024-10-24,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 October 24, 2024 Cotton to Garland: DOJ Singles Out Conservative Sweepstakes Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the Department of Justice to retract their intimidating letter to Elon Musk’s America PAC. The letter describes a pattern of the Biden-Harris Department of Justice singling out conservative groups while turning a blind eye to left-wing groups engaged in similar behaviors. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “Left-wing organizations often promote voter-registration sweepstakes. For example, HeadCount Inc. offers potential voters a chance to ‘win a VIP experience at RuPaul’s Drag Race’ for checking their voter-registration status or beginning the voter-registration process. Michelle Obama’s voter-registration group offered individuals who provided their registration information a chance to win a free trip to Las Vegas. These left-wing groups are just as surely trying to register potential voters with their sweepstakes as is America PAC.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 24, 2024 The Honorable Merrick Garland U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Dear Attorney General Garland, I write regarding reports that the Department of Justice has warned Elon Musk’s America PAC that its sweepstakes may violate federal law. I’m not convinced that America PAC has run afoul of the law, but I’m very concerned that the Biden-Harris administration has once again singled out center-right Americans like Mr. Musk for political retribution while turning a blind eye to liberal-leaning groups engaged in similar behavior. Left-wing organizations often promote voter-registration sweepstakes. For example, HeadCount Inc. offers potential voters a chance to “win a VIP experience at RuPaul’s Drag Race” for checking their voter-registration status or beginning the voter-registration process. Michelle Obama’s voter-registration group offered individuals who provided their registration information a chance to win a free trip to Las Vegas. These left-wing groups are just as surely trying to register potential voters with their sweepstakes as is America PAC. But where are the threats of legal consequences for liberals? Have you sent Michelle Obama an intimidating letter? I think the question answers itself, of course, and demonstrates yet again how you have weaponized the Department of Justice against not only President Trump, but also his supporters. I urge you to retract the department’s letter as the ill-considered handiwork of partisan killjoys. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-biden-continued-support-for-the-unrwa-funds-terrorist-activities-and-prolongs-war,Cotton to Biden: Continued Support for UNRWA Funds Terrorist Activities and Prolongs War,2024-10-23,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 October 23, 2024 Cotton to Biden: Continued Support for UNRWA Funds Terrorist Activities and Prolongs War Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to impose terrorism sanctions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The Biden-Harris administration’s support for UNRWA threatens American national security and enables continued violence while American hostages remain in Gaza. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “Congress blocked funding to UNRWA earlier this year because of its ties to Hamas. Yet your administration continues to ignore both legislative intent and plain common sense. Your administration’s inadequate oversight has almost certainly enabled U.S. funds to flow to UNRWA affiliates. You even lectured Israel about its proposal to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organization. Your administration has become UNRWA’s most prominent apologist and best advocate. ” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 23, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 I write to protest the Biden-Harris administration’s continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and to urge you to impose terrorism sanctions on the agency. Your advocacy for the Hamas-affiliated UNRWA as “indispensable” to humanitarian aid in Gaza undercuts America’s national-security interests by prolonging the Israel-Hamas war, enabling continued violence, and sustaining enemies actively holding American hostages in Gaza. Congress blocked funding to UNRWA earlier this year because of its ties to Hamas. Yet your administration continues to ignore both legislative intent and plain common sense. Your administration’s inadequate oversight has almost certainly enabled U.S. funds to flow to UNRWA affiliates. You even lectured Israel about its proposal to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organization. Your administration has become UNRWA’s most prominent apologist and best advocate. The evidence for UNRWA’s complicity in Hamas’s terrorist activity is overwhelming. UNRWA itself admitted that many of its members participated in the October 7 attacks. Hamas terrorists have fired against Israel from UNRWA clinics. Israel has found weapons stashes in UNRWA facilities as well as tunnel shafts around and under those facilities. An Israeli hostage revealed he had been held in a UNRWA employee’s house. And Israel reportedly found a passport belonging to a UNRWA teacher on Yahya Sinwar’s body this week as well as UNRWA food bags in his bunker. You must end your support for those who abet terrorism. I call on you to use your authority under Executive Order 13224 to designate UNRWA as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity, allowing the U.S. to impose sanctions and block UNRWA assets. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-biden-brief-congress-on-leak-investigation,Cotton to Biden: Brief Congress on Leak Investigation,2024-10-22,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 October 22, 2024 Cotton to Biden: Brief Congress on Leak Investigation Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to President Biden asking for consistent updates on the investigation into the reported leak of top-secret documents. Senator Cotton noted that the repeated leaks from the Biden-Harris administration raise questions about whether the administration will adequately address this security breach. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “Officials in your administration have repeatedly leaked information clearly designed to pressure Israel to curb its righteous campaign against Iran and its terrorist proxies over the last year. These leaks have ranged from reports of personal conversations between American and Israeli officials to assessments of Iranian intent and are clearly designed to handcuff Israel.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 22, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 I write to express my deep alarm about the reported leak of top-secret American documents regarding Israel’s planned military response against Iran. This leak is an outrageous betrayal of an ally and a breach of trust that will undermine our relationship with partners for years to come. Officials in your administration have repeatedly leaked information clearly designed to pressure Israel to curb its righteous campaign against Iran and its terrorist proxies over the last year. These leaks have ranged from reports of personal conversations between American and Israeli officials to assessments of Iranian intent and are clearly designed to handcuff Israel. To cite a few examples: CNN recently cited unnamed U.S. officials claiming Israel’s has finalized a counterstrike plan to hit Iran before the U.S. election and provided details about that plan. You publicly discussed the timing of Israel’s retaliation again Iran for their latest attack saying on October 3 that it would not “happen today.” The Washington Post quoted an unnamed U.S. official about Israel’s plans for the ground invasion of Lebanon before the IDF launched the operation. In each instance, these leaks are providing aid to Israel’s—and America’s— enemy about likely Israeli attack plans and limiting Israeli freedom of action. Given this track record I am deeply concerned as to whether your administration will adequately address this serious security breach. Therefore, I request that you provide regular biweekly updates about the investigation to the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-mayorkas-granting-tps-to-lebanese-national-endangers-americans,Cotton to Mayorkas: Granting TPS to Lebanese National Endangers Americans,2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 October 18, 2024 Cotton to Mayorkas: Granting TPS to Lebanese National Endangers Americans Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to rescind his decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Lebanese nationals currently in the United States. Senator Cotton warns Mayorkas that these unvetted Lebanese nationals pose a grave risk to our national security and to the safety of our citizens. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “We have seen a dramatic increase in unvetted illegal immigrants as a result of your open-border policies. Under the Biden-Harris administration, Border Patrol has encountered thousands of illegal immigrants from countries with deep ties to terrorism, including Lebanon. In fact, Border Patrol agents apprehended a Lebanese man at the southern border earlier this year who said he belonged to Hezbollah and came to America to build a bomb.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 18, 2024 The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528 Dear Secretary Mayorkas: I write regarding your dangerous decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Lebanese nationals currently in the United States. The presence of these Lebanese nationals in the United States regardless of whether they lawfully entered poses a grave risk to our national security. We have seen a dramatic increase in unvetted illegal immigrants as a result of your open-border policies. Under the Biden-Harris administration, Border Patrol has encountered thousands of illegal immigrants from countries with deep ties to terrorism, including Lebanon. In fact, Border Patrol agents apprehended a Lebonese man at the southern border earlier this year who said he belonged to Hezbollah and came to America to build a bomb. Your department estimates that granting TPS status will protect 11,000 Lebanese nationals from deportation, which undoubtedly includes many Hezbollah terrorists. This reckless policy endangers the safety of our citizens. I urge you to rescind this decision before it goes into effect. For Lebanese nationals who have a legal basis to be present in the United States and who can credibly claim a risk to their lives if they return to Lebanon, your department could evaluate asylum requests on a case-by-case basis. This policy would be a far more sensible and safer course of action than a blanket TPS grant to all Lebanese nationals. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-biden-any-delay-in-military-aid-to-israel-violates-will-of-congress,Cotton to Biden: Any Delay in Military Aid to Israel Violates Will of Congress,2024-10-16,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 October 16, 2024 Cotton to Biden: Any Delay in Military Aid to Israel Violates Will of Congress Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to President Joe Biden condemning the Biden-Harris administration’s threat to impose an arms embargo on Israel if they do not meet the administration’s unreasonable demands to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza. These threats are contrary to Congress’s intent and should be rescinded immediately. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “Denying Israel military aid is in direct opposition to the will of Congress, as expressed in the Israeli security supplemental passed earlier this year. Unilaterally threatening to cut off aid by declaring Israel in violation of U.S. law also ignores Congress’s oversight role. Your administration insists on protecting a terrorist organization in the name of humanitarian aid. ” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 16, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 I write to strongly condemn the Biden-Harris administration’s threat to impose an arms embargo on Israel if they do not meet your unreasonable demands to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Your October 13, 2024, letter to Ministers Gallant and Dermer is a politically driven excuse to pressure our ally to ratchet down its campaign against the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies. Denying Israel military aid is in direct opposition to the will of Congress, as expressed in the Israeli security supplemental passed earlier this year. Unilaterally threatening to cut off aid by declaring Israel in violation of U.S. law also ignores Congress’s oversight role. Your administration insists on protecting a terrorist organization in the name of humanitarian aid. I demand that you provide any “evidence” of such violations to the relevant Congressional committees within the next three days. As I assume you cannot do so, I demand that you immediately rescind your threats to our ally. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=DA671C41-0422-4D4D-992E-458397DF0775,Boozman Shares Memories of Northwest Arkansas Veteran for Hispanic Heritage Month,2024-10-11,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Maddie Willyard in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans. Willyard was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Chicago when she was 7 years old. In high school, her family moved to a northern suburb because of safety concerns. While Willyard’s family has a history of military service, her path to wearing our nation’s uniform started as a result of trying to avoid an angry teacher who was upset she did not complete her homework. “This voice came over the intercom – juniors and seniors are excused from classes to take the ASVAB. I didn’t know what the ASVAB was. I just knew it was like manna from heaven and off I went,” she said. She quickly learned the exam was the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, an indicator of future success in the miliary. “I did very well. Got lots of calls and visited with recruiters. At that point I had thought of my future. We talked about community college. I wanted to be a journalist. I also wanted to be a teacher and I ended up joining the Air Force,” Willyard said. “I was 16 and shallow still and didn’t think green looked very good on me,” she laughed. Willyard said her mom was supportive, but her stepdad was horrified because he didn’t think military service was something young women should pursue. After graduating high school in May, Willyard started service in the Air Force in November and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Her uncles who served in uniform advised her to stay under the radar. This included getting a bunk furthest away from the training instructor’s office. She followed the advice, but wasn’t there for long after she confronted another airman who was making the unit late to morning formation because she was curling her hair. “We were so involved in our conversation that we didn’t even notice our training instructor was there until he yelled,” Willyard said. “He looked at me and he goes ‘You want to be in charge? You want my job?’ And I said ‘Sir, no sir.’” The instructor made her squad leader and she was moved to the bed closest to his office. Following basic training, Willyard was assigned to medical administration and continued her education at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. She found the classes interesting and appreciated the freedom and community feel of the base. “It was the best time of my life.” She calls the people she was training with family, so much so that when she received her first-choice duty station at a base in California, she was devastated to see a friend’s disappointment about her assignment to England Air Force Base, Louisiana. “That girl cried for two days and it broke my heart,” Willyard said. Her empathy and compassion led her to trade assignment locations with her friend. In Louisiana, Willyard worked in medical records where she helped organize and sort patient files. “I also learned valuable lessons about customer service. You picked up the phone and you picked it up on the first ring. And you didn’t know if you were going to be talking to another airman like yourself or if you were going to be talking to a full bird colonel,” she said. She surrounded herself with mentors who aimed to see her do well and taught her skills that she still uses today. Her time in uniform is something that has been valuable to her life and work. She says it opened doors for her and she encourages those interested in military service to be ready for hard and rewarding work. “I tell them be prepared to sacrifice because it’s not about you. It’s about the mission and you’re choosing an occupation with so much honor and history. This country wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for soldiers, so you need to respect that. It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. It’s not something you should go into lightly,” she said. “And enjoy it.” Today, Willyard lives in Northwest Arkansas and has found a calling to give back to her fellow veterans. She served in the Washington County Veteran Service Office before joining Boozman’s staff where she supports the needs of active-duty military, veterans and their families. “I’m grateful for Maddie Willyard’s service to our country in uniform and her continued support of her fellow veterans. We can be proud of her advocacy of the military and the important role it has had in her life. I’m pleased to preserve her memories of service,” Boozman said. Boozman submitted Willyard’s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-rosenworcel-rushed-approval-of-soros-fund-management-audacy-deal-raises-questions,Cotton to Rosenworcel: Rushed Approval of Soros Fund Management-Audacy Deal Raises Questions,2024-10-10,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Chairwomen Jessica Rosenworcel concerning the purchase of more than 200 radio stations by Soros Fund Management (SFM). The rushed approval of SFM’s purchase of Audacy raises concerns about the FCC’s process, its impartiality, and the risks to our national security. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “The FCC’s approval process for large acquisitions of radio stations generally takes a year or more to complete and is subject to a national-security review if foreign-company ownership exceeds 25 percent. In this case, however, the FCC reportedly attempted to approve the SFM transaction with only 48 hours’ notice. Reports also indicate that no other commissioners aside from you were invited to opine on the issue before staff handled it on the Commission’s behalf. Moreover, SFM requested to bypass the traditional national-security review, despite raising $400 million for the purchase with foreign investments.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 10, 2024 Jessica Rosenworcel Chairwoman Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street NE Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairwoman Rosenworcel, I write regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to expedite Soros Fund Management’s (SFM) purchase of more than two hundred radio stations just weeks before a critical presidential election. The FCC’s approval process for large acquisitions of radio stations generally takes a year or more to complete and is subject to a national-security review if foreign-company ownership exceeds 25 percent. In this case, however, the FCC reportedly attempted to approve the SFM transaction with only 48 hours’ notice. Reports also indicate that no other commissioners aside from you were invited to opine on the issue before staff handled it on the Commission’s behalf. Moreover, SFM requested to bypass the traditional national-security review, despite raising $400 million for the purchase with foreign investments. This decision affects over 165 million monthly listeners on Audacy—a network that includes conservative programming like Sean Hannity, Dana Loesch, Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, and Erick Erickson. It would be naive to think the timing is coincidental, or that a Soros-funded network would impartially manage conservative talk shows in the weeks before the election. The FCC’s rushed approval of SFM’s purchase raises significant concerns about the FCC’s process, its political impartiality, and the risks to our national security. I urge the FCC to use its traditional process outlined by Section 310 of the Communications Act. Accordingly, please respond to the below questions by ___ Under existing FCC rules, foreign-company ownership of U.S. radio stations should not exceed 25 percent. Did SFM request to bypass the national-security evaluation? If so, did you approve it? What other exceptions to the existing rule regarding foreign-ownership of U.S. radio stations have occurred during your tenure as Chairwoman? Who was invited to opine on SFM’s purchase of Audacy? What efforts were made to undergo a legitimate public-interest analysis? Sincerely, Tom Cotton U.S. Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D930020C-6B51-4A0D-9113-0FB5983F2592,"Boozman, Cramer, Capito and Colleagues File Bicameral Amicus Brief to Overturn FHWA’s Unlawful Emissions Rule",2024-10-09,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) led 27 of their colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit opposing a final rule from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that requires state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highway system and set declining targets for those GHG emissions. The brief requests that the Court uphold the April 2024, U.S. District Court decision finding that Congress did not grant the FHWA the authority to issue the rule. The brief argues Congress explicitly debated providing the FHWA the necessary authority to issue this rule, but decided against doing so in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The FHWA then intentionally misconstrued congressional intent and used unrelated statutory authorities to attempt to justify issuing its GHG performance measure rule. The lawmakers also contend the rulemaking is inconsistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back executive branch overreach, and that FHWA is ignoring principles of federalism at the expense of state governments to further its own policy agenda. “Congress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway,” the members argued. “In doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch’s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.” “Put simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act,” the members continued. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) – as well as U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee – also cosigned the brief. Full text of the amicus brief is available here. Background: Shortly after the rule was finalized, 21 state attorneys general, including Arkansas, filed litigation challenging the regulation. The U.S. District Court found the Biden administration rule to be illegal, but FHWA appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and it remains under further consideration. In April of this year, the U.S. Senate approved a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval overturning the rule by a vote of 53-47. The bipartisan measure was led by Cramer and cosponsored by Boozman, Ranking Member Capito and dozens of their colleagues.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-power-stop-americans-tax-dollars-from-funding-terrorists,Cotton to Power: Stop Americans’ Tax Dollars from Funding Terrorists.,2024-10-09,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 October 9, 2024 Cotton to Power: Stop Americans’ Tax Dollars from Funding Terrorists. Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samatha Power expressing grave concerns about the likely misuse of more than one billion dollars in U.S. humanitarian aid sent to Gaza since October 2023. Senator Cotton urges her to immediately suspend all aid until taking credible and serious steps to stop Americans’ tax dollars from funding terrorists. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “While Congress cut off funding to UNRWA earlier this year, USAID continues to work with UN agencies and other local partners in Gaza despite documented concerns about inadequate vetting and possible terrorist ties. In July, the USAID Inspector General identified multiple “shortcomings and vulnerabilities in its overnight mechanisms” for Gaza aid, such as inadequate vetting of local partners, reliance on self-reporting of terrorist ties from partners, reliance on inadequate vetting by UN partners, and challenges with third-party monitoring.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 9, 2024 The Honorable Samantha Power U.S. Agency for International Development Ronald Reagan Building Washington, D.C. 20523 Dear Administrator Power: I write to raise grave concerns about the likely misuse of more than one billion dollars in U.S. humanitarian aid sent to Gaza since October 2023. As I predicted would happen from the outset, credible reporting indicates that Hamas terrorists have diverted this aid; indisputable evidence demonstrates that the aid was always at high risk of diversion. In all likelihood, the Biden-Harris administration has prolonged the Gaza war, allowed aid to flow to Israel’s enemies, and misused taxpayer funds. On September 30, your agency announced approximately $336 million in additional humanitarian funding for Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. On the same day, the United Nations acknowledged that Fateh al-Sharif, a Hamas leader in Lebanon killed in an Israeli airstrike, was employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. UNRWA, a major USAID partner before October 7, remains a chief conduit for UN humanitarian assistance in Gaza despite extensive evidence of its ties to Hamas. While Congress cut off funding to UNRWA earlier this year, USAID continues to work with UN agencies and other local partners in Gaza despite documented concerns about inadequate vetting and possible terrorist ties. In July, the USAID Inspector General identified multiple “shortcomings and vulnerabilities in its overnight mechanisms” for Gaza aid, such as inadequate vetting of local partners, reliance on self-reporting of terrorist ties from partners, reliance on inadequate vetting by UN partners, and challenges with third-party monitoring. These flawed “oversight mechanisms” are the very procedures that led USAID to ignore or tolerate UNRWA employees who belonged to Hamas. As nothing has changed, how should the Congress trust that any aid sent to Gaza will not end up in the hands of Hamas? When American aid flows to Israel’s enemies—who are also our enemies—USAID is guilty of moral failure, strategic catastrophe, and betrayal of the American taxpayer. You should immediately suspend all aid until taking credible and serious steps to stop Americans’ tax dollars from funding terrorists. Sincerely, Tom Cotton U.S. Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7D3750A9-DCF2-4248-83D8-17EB6F954400,Boozman Joins Senate Republicans Marking Anniversary of Oct. 7 Attack on Israel,2024-10-07,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and all 46 of their Senate Republican colleagues marking the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that killed dozens of Americans. The senators will introduce a resolution fully condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting the forever survival of Israel and calling for the safe release of American hostages. The entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war. They also reiterate Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasize the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated. “Hamas’ brutal attack on innocent victims will never be forgotten. As families still wait to be reunited with loved ones captured one year ago, our resolve is unwavering to bring these hostages home. The United States stands with Israel, one of our closest friends and allies, as it continues to defend itself and its people. I remain committed to supporting our partner in its fight against Iran-backed terrorists,” Boozman said. “This time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,” said Ernst. “I immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation’s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its ‘ironclad’ commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.” Click here to view the resolution.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-one-year-anniversary-of-the-october-7-terror-attacks,Cotton Statement on One-Year Anniversary of the October 7 Terror Attacks,2024-10-07,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel: ""I join Arkansans in commemorating the thousands of Israelis and Americans who were attacked, brutalized, kidnapped, and murdered one year ago today by Hamas. Over the last year, Iran’s terror network has waged war on Israel and besieged our own soldiers and sailors, leading to the death of American troops. The United States has a simple strategic and moral imperative, which is also the best way to rescue the hostages and honor the memory of the lost: back Israel to the hilt and let Israel win."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1ED2CB91-CF65-4B00-8A39-745F38AA0A21,Boozman Recognizes 4-H,2024-10-03,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), co-chairs of the Senate 4-H Caucus, led the successful adoption of a Senate resolution designating October 7 through October 12 as “National 4-H Week.” “4-H is a very special organization for the Boozman family. My three daughters were very active 4-H members and were state record book winners. I can’t think of any entity outside of church that played a larger role in influencing their lives. The same can be said about the positive impact 4-H has on generations of young people, which is why I am proud to join Chairwoman Stabenow to lead this resolution honoring the organization. Join me in marking National 4-H Week by encouraging youth to continue participating and benefiting from this program,” Boozman said. “As a former 4-H’er myself, I know that 4-H prepares young people to thrive in their communities and be the next generation of leaders both on and off the farm. Through hands-on experience, six million 4-H’ers are learning the skills they need to tackle the critical issues we face today and, in the future,” Stabenow said. 4-H is a youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System of land-grant universities, and it is the largest youth development organization in the country. The organization provides experiences for nearly six million young people through hands-on projects in health, science, agriculture and civic engagement. In Arkansas, more than 130,000 young people participate in 4-H programs annually.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-werfel-partisan-voter-registration-drives-violate-federal-law,Cotton to Werfel: Partisan Voter Registration Drives Violate Federal Law,2024-10-03,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 October 3, 2024 Cotton to Werfel: Partisan Voter Registration Drives Violate Federal Law Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner, Danny Werfel urging an investigation into the Voter Participation Center’s alleged partisan activities. This charity is targeting likely Democrat voters while excluding likely Republican voters through its voter-registration ads on social media. The IRS prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from conducting partisan voter-education or voter-registration activities. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “According to the Washington Free Beacon, the Voter Participation Center is targeting likely Democrat voters and excluding likely Republican voters through its voter-registration ads on social media. The Voter Participation Center has instructed Facebook to exclude users from seeing ads if they expressed interest in ‘John Wayne,’ ‘Redneck Mud Club,’ ‘Daytona 500,’ ‘Duck Dynasty,’ and other topics associated with conservatives. On the other hand, the group instructed Facebook to target users interested in ‘hot yoga,’ ‘Charli XCX’ (who is closely associated with Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign), ‘Pitchfork Media,’ and other topics that tend to interest progressives.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. October 3, 2024 The Honorable Danny Werfel Commissioner Internal Revenue Service 1111 Constitution Avenue, Northwest Washington, DC 20224 Dear Commissioner Werfel, I write regarding a tax-exempt charity that may be violating federal law. The Voter Participation Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that reportedly engages in partisan voter-registration drives. The IRS prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from conducting partisan voter-education or voter -registration activities. The IRS states that a 501(c)(3) organization may only conduct voter-registration drives “if they are conducted in a neutral, non-partisan manner.” It further warns that a private foundation is subject to a tax if it uses funds for partisan voter-registration drives. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the Voter Participation Center is targeting likely Democrat voters and excluding likely Republican voters through its voter-registration ads on social media. The Voter Participation Center has instructed Facebook to exclude users from seeing ads if they expressed interest in “John Wayne,” “Redneck Mud Club,” “Daytona 500,” “Duck Dynasty,” and other topics associated with conservatives. On the other hand, the group instructed Facebook to target users interested in “hot yoga,” “Charli XCX” (who is closely associated with Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign), “Pitchfork Media,” and other topics that tend to interest progressives. The Voter Participation Center has spent over a million dollars on this ad drive. It has also paid over $50 million to Democrat micro-targeting firms. According to 26 U.S. Code § 4945(d)(2), these partisan expenditures must be taxed. The IRS should immediately open an investigation into this organization. Sincerely, Tom Cotton U.S. Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-37-gop-colleagues-condemn-biden-harris-administrations-weak-iran-policy-amid-nuclear-threat,"Cotton, 37 GOP Colleagues Condemn Biden-Harris Administration’s Weak Iran Policy Amid Nuclear Threat",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 September 26, 2024 Cotton, 37 GOP Colleagues Condemn Biden-Harris Administration’s Weak Iran Policy Amid Nuclear Threat Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (New York-21) led 37 Congressional Republican colleagues today in sending a letter to President Joe Biden criticizing his administration’s weak policies that have emboldened Iran to advance its nuclear program to the brink of nuclear breakout. The Biden-Harris administration’s policies of appeasement have contributed to an urgent nuclear threat and further destabilization throughout the Middle East and beyond. Additional signatories include Senators Ted Budd (R- North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R- North Dakota), Katie Britt (R- Alabama), Rick Scott (R- Florida), Deb Fischer (R- Nebraska), Roger Marshall (R- Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R- Nebraska), Marco Rubio (R- Florida), Ted Cruz (R- Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R- Wyoming), Joni Ernst (R- Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R- Tennessee), John Cornyn (R- Texas), John Barrasso (R- Wyoming), Lindsey Graham (R- South Carolina), Mike Braun (R- Indiana), John Thune (R- South Dakota), Congressman Chris Smith (New Jersey-04), Congressman John H. Rutherford (Florida-05), Congressman Dan Crenshaw (Texas-02), Congressman Jim Banks (Indiana-03), Congressman Greg Murphy, (North Carolina-03), Congressman Ben Cline (Virginia-06), Congressman Brandon Williams (New York-22), Congressman Rudy Yakym III (Indiana-02), Congressman Scott Franklin (Florida-15), Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (Iowa-01), Congressman Nick Langworthy (New York-23), Congressman Mark Alford (Missouri-04), Congressman Pat Fallon (Texas-04), Congressman Lance Gooden (Texas-05), Congressman Brad Finstad (Minnesota-01), Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona-06), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Missouri-02), Congressman Randy Feenstra (Iowa-04), Congressman Ralph Norman (South Carolina-05), and Congressman Michael Guest (Mississippi-03). In part, the lawmakers wrote: “Your administration allowed Iranian-backed militias to attack our troops more than 180 times while responding only about 11 times, diminishing any fear of American strength. You further empowered Iranian proxies by removing the Houthis from the list of designated terrorist organizations and restoring funding to the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas accomplices in UNRWA. These proxies then attacked and besieged Israel—and you proceeded to impose a weekslong, partial arms embargo on Israel, weakening the chief adversary of Iran capable of destroying its nuclear program.” Full text of the letter can be found here and below. September 26, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear President Biden, We write regarding your failure to prevent Iran from rushing towards nuclear breakout. In July, Secretary Blinken confirmed that Iran is “probably one or two weeks away” from having enough nuclear material for a bomb. This geopolitical disaster and national-security crisis results directly from your administration’s policy of appeasement. From the beginning, you’ve pursued a weak, naive, and supine strategy of accommodating the world’s worst state sponsor of terror. Your administration ignored sanctions that allowed Iran to make over $100 billion in oil sales, rescinded the Trump administration’s snapback sanctions at the United Nations, and advocated against censuring the ayatollahs at the IAEA. You appointed Robert Malley as envoy to Iran and employed his cohort of Iran sympathizers, such as Ariane Tabatabai at the Defense Department. Your administration allowed Iranian-backed militias to attack our troops more than 180 times while responding only about 11 times, diminishing any fear of American strength. You further empowered Iranian proxies by removing the Houthis from the list of designated terrorist organizations and restoring funding to the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas accomplices in UNRWA. These proxies then attacked and besieged Israel—and you proceeded to impose a weekslong, partial arms embargo on Israel, weakening the chief adversary of Iran capable of destroying its nuclear program. Each act of appeasement strengthened and emboldened Iran, which has raced to the edge of nuclear breakout. When President Trump left office, it would have taken Iran more than three months to enrich enough uranium for a single nuclear weapon. Under your watch, Iran may have slashed its breakout time by more than 90 percent and increased its stockpile of enriched uranium enough to build a nuclear arsenal of more than a dozen weapons in that time. Iran has waged a reign of terror against America and our allies for decades. But if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon, one can only imagine how emboldened the ayatollahs would feel to spread even more death and terror around the world, especially in the Middle East. If that happens, history will judge you and your administration very harshly—as it should. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-rubio-hawley-introduce-legislation-to-end-permanent-normal-trade-relations-with-china,"Cotton, Rubio, Hawley Introduce Legislation to End Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 September 26, 2024 Cotton, Rubio, Hawley Introduce Legislation to End Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) today introduced The Neither Permanent Nor Normal Trade Relations Act to end Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China. “China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations status has enriched the Chinese Communist Party while costing the United States millions of jobs. This comprehensive repeal of China’s PNTR status and reform of the U.S.-China trade relationship will protect American workers, enhance our national security, and end the Chinese Communists’ leverage over our economy,” said Senator Cotton. “Giving Communist China the same trade benefits that we give to our greatest allies was one of the most catastrophic decisions that our country has ever made. Our country’s trade deficit with China more than quadrupled, and we exported millions of American jobs. Ending normal trade relations with China is a no-brainer,” said Senator Rubio. “More than two decades ago, Washington elites granted China most favored nation trading status, enabling Beijing to exploit our working class. Congress must revoke this sweetheart deal to protect American workers from our greatest adversary and to bring back the millions of manufacturing jobs shipped overseas,” said Senator Josh Hawley. Text of the bill may be found here. The Neither Permanent Nor Normal Trade Relations Act would: End PNTR for China. Phase-in tariffs for Chinese products over five years, including 100% tariffs for goods determined to be important to national security. Empower the President to create supplementary quotas and tariffs to phase out Chinese imports and to institute overriding bans on specific Chinese goods. End de minimis treatment for covered nations—including China—and require customs brokers for other de minimis shipments. The revenue produced will go towards farmers and manufacturers injured by potential Chinese retaliation, the purchase of key munitions important to a Pacific conflict, and paying down the debt. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-mcconnell-to-president-biden-weapons-delays-cost-lives-and-embolden-iran,"Cotton, McConnell to President Biden: Weapons Delays Cost Lives and Embolden Iran",2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 September 25, 2024 Cotton, McConnell to President Biden: Weapons Delays Cost Lives and Embolden Iran Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden condemning his continued delay in providing critical military equipment and weapons to our ally Israel as they face a multi-front war against Iranian-terrorist proxies. Further delays will continue to escalate conflict and embolden our shared enemies. In part, the senators wrote: ""Further delays will endanger Israeli lives, increase the likelihood that the conflict will escalate further, and harm American national security interests. It’s far past time to transfer to Israel the capabilities it needs to win."" Full text of the letter can be found here and below. September 25, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: We write to strongly condemn your administration’s continued delay in providing critical military equipment and weapons to our ally Israel in the midst of an existential war. Delays of equipment that Israel requires to win its multi-front war against Iranian-terrorist proxies, compounded by statements by Administration officials blaming Israel for escalation, undercut Israel’s efforts to restore deterrence by emboldening the Iranian-backed terrorists. We have reason to believe your administration is currently delaying three critical types of military weapons or equipment. MK-84 bombs: Israel requires these bombs to hit Hamas’s deeply buried tunnels and other military infrastructure in Gaza. Hezbollah also has significant military infrastructure that Israel must destroy. Apache attack helicopters: Despite ongoing discussions between the United States and Israel, your administration has failed to fast-track and approve the sale of Apache attack helicopters. Israel requested these helicopters last December, recognizing the increased need given the war in Gaza. That need has only increased with Hezbollah’s escalation in the north. Caterpillar D9 tractors: We recently learned you are holding up tractors that the IDF uses to clear improvised explosive devices (IEDs) ahead of its troops. Israel puts armor on these tractors and uses them to save the lives of scores of Israel Defense force (IDF) soldiers and civilians. Further delays will endanger Israeli lives, increase the likelihood that the conflict will escalate further, and harm American national security interests. It’s far past time to transfer to Israel the capabilities it needs to win. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator Mitch McConnell United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=94238584-DA5A-4C7C-B069-EEC0442CCD95,"Boozman, Heinrich Introduce Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act",2024-09-23,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act to provide free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth graders and their families through 2031. “Introducing young Americans to our national parks inspires an appreciation for the lands and resources that help define our country. I’m proud to support this legislation that allows the next generation to discover our national treasures and explore the outdoors,” said Boozman. “As a father and a former outdoor educator, I know firsthand how much of a difference getting outside can make for our kids,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “I’m so proud of the doors we have opened to our public lands for fourth graders and their families since we passed my Every Kid Outdoors Act into law five years ago. Now, we can double down on this successful program, turning our national parks and other public lands into outdoor classrooms with endless opportunities for children to learn and families to make new memories.” Starting in 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. The authorization is scheduled to expire in 2026. Full text of the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act can be found here. The Every Kid Outdoors program has successfully encouraged tens of thousands of children and their families to explore America’s public lands, waters, historic sites and national parks – more than 2,000 sites in all. The Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act has widespread support with endorsements from The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club and Outdoor Alliance for Kids.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-boozman-to-young-and-su-all-people-should-have-the-opportunity-for-dignified-work,"Cotton, Boozman to Young and Su: All People Should Have the Opportunity for Dignified Work",2024-09-22,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 September 20, 2024 Cotton, Boozman to Young and Su: All People Should Have the Opportunity for Dignified Work Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to OMB Director Shalanda Young and Acting Secretary of labor Julie Su regarding troubling reports that the Department of Labor (DOL) is considering a new rule that would abolish the 14(c) program wherein individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities can find employment and resources in a supervised setting. The Senators stated that all people deserve to have the opportunity for dignified work, and reiterated to Director Young and Acting Secretary Su that any attempt to disrupt this program without Congressional authorization would be illegal. In part, the senators wrote: “All people, regardless of their abilities, should have the opportunity for dignified work. The 14(c) program does not limit the ability of disabled workers to engage in competitive employment. It merely provides those with difficulties in a traditional work environment the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. It provides many vulnerable Americans with a sense of accomplishment and provides their families and caretakers with time to complete activities necessary for the functioning of their households.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. September 20, 2024 Shalanda Young Director Office of Management and Budget 725 17th St NW Washington, DC 20503 Julie Su Acting Secretary Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20210 Dear Director Young and Acting Secretary Su, I write regarding troubling reports that the Department of Labor (DOL) is considering a new rule that would abolish the 14(c) program. Any changes to the 14(c) certificate program rests with Congress and not DOL. Since 1938, the DOL has provided intellectually and developmentally disabled Americans the opportunity to engage in meaningful work through Section 14(c) certificates. According to the Washington Post, despite these longstanding statutes, and no legislative reforms, the DOL is considering a new rule that would be the ""regulatory equivalent of abolition of 14(c) programs."" All people, regardless of their abilities, should have the opportunity for dignified work. The 14(c) program does not limit the ability of disabled workers to engage in competitive employment. It merely provides those with difficulties in a traditional work environment the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. It provides many vulnerable Americans with a sense of accomplishment and provides their families and caretakers with time to complete activities necessary for the functioning of their households. Regardless of any policy objections the administration might have with the 14(c) program, it must be enforced according to the law. Former Secretary Marty Walsh, the last Senate-confirmed Secretary of Labor, agreed that changes to the program rest with Congress, rather than the DOL. Any efforts to make it functionally unworkable without Congressional authorization would be illegal. Before deciding on the legality of these proposed changes to 14(c), please answer the following questions: 1. Where in the Fair Labor Standards Act and accompanying amendments does the DOL find the legal authority to make significant changes to this program, especially considering the Supreme Court's recent decision to end agency deference in Loper Bright Enterprises .v Raimondo? 2.How many disabled Americans would lose their jobs at sheltered workshops if 14(c) certificates were phased out? 3.Has the DOL considered the secondary effects of these individuals losing their jobs, such as their families needing to provide caretaking services during working hours, rather than working themselves or performing necessary functions for their households? If so, provide the details of that analysis. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-gensler-protect-americans-privacy-and-halt-cat-filings,"Cotton, Colleagues to Gensler: Protect Americans’ Privacy and Halt CAT Filings",2024-09-20,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 September 20, 2024 Cotton, Colleagues to Gensler: Protect Americans’ Privacy and Halt CAT Filings Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) led 13 of his Congressional Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler to call for the immediate suspension of the recently effective rule filings tied to the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT). The letter warns that the SEC’s decision to allow these fillings to proceed without proper oversight is an affront to investors and endangers the impartiality of the judicial process. Senators Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Congressman French Hill (Arkansas-02), Congressman John Rose (Tennessee-06), Congressman Steve Womack (Arkansas-03), and Congressman Alex Mooney (West Virginia-02) co-signed the letter. In part, the lawmakers wrote: “As members of Congress and Amici Curiae in these cases, we have a vested interest in ensuring that the Commission adheres to its statutory authority. The CAT poses profound risks to Americans' individual liberty and personal privacy. Moreover, if a significant new tax is levied on American investors, the Courts must be afforded an opportunity to conduct a fair and impartial review.” Full text of the letter can be found here and below. September 20, 2024 Chair Gensler, We write to express our concerns that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ""Commission"") has not suspended the most recent immediately effective rule filings to establish fees related to the Consolidated Audit Trail (""CAT""). As you are aware, the legality of the funding model underpinning these filings as well as the CAT itself are being reviewed in the Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.' As members of Congress and Amici Curiae in these cases, we have a vested interest in ensuring that the Commission adheres to its statutory authority. The CAT poses profound risks to Americans' individual liberty and personal privacy. Moreover, fi a significant new tax is levied on American investors, the Courts must be afforded an opportunity to conduct a fair and impartial review. The Commission has allowed the withdrawal of suspended fee filings, followed by the refiling of nearly identical ones, which effectively overrides its previous suspension and enables the immediate imposition of CAT fees with minimal notice to the industry. The Commission must suspend the CAT fees in order to allow market participants the opportunity to comment on these filings and to allow the legality of the entire CAT structure to be reviewed through the judicial process. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, ____________________ Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=77E44A74-5FB4-426C-AD13-E811D7E26460,"Boozman, Kelly Lead Senate Recognition of America’s Truckers",2024-09-19,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) are celebrating America’s truckers with the introduction of a Senate resolution designating the week of September 15-21, 2024 as “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.” “I’m proud to support the men and women who drive long hours to deliver goods and products across the country and move our communities forward. Arkansas truckers play a crucial role in our economy. I’m honored to recognize their work and committed to continue championing policies to help enhance their industry,” Boozman said. “Truckers are the backbone of our economy, driving long hours to deliver the goods that keep stores stocked and businesses running,” said Kelly. “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an important recognition of the sacrifices they make every day. I will continue to support policies that make their jobs safer and our supply chains stronger.” “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an opportunity for us as a nation to take stock of the countless ways truckers provide for all of us. Their impact can be seen and felt everywhere, because everything we want or need is moved by truck,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear. “We applaud Senators Boozman and Kelly for leading this bipartisan effort to recognize the extraordinary hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of America’s professional drivers. Our reliance on truckers is absolute, and our appreciation for them should be as well. This resolution serves as a reminder of their indispensable role in our daily lives.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-colleagues-introduce-resolution-recognizing-october-2024,"WESTERMAN, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2024 AS NATIONAL DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH",2024-09-18,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the companion resolution in the U.S. Senate. “Although millions of students face the social stigmas and learning challenges related to dyslexia every day, dyslexia rarely receives the proper attention it deserves. This important resolution recognizing October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month is an important step in ensuring educators and parents are aware of the prevalence of dyslexia and empowered to get their students the learning resources they need,” said Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Westerman. “I am proud to support this resolution once again, and I thank Senator Cassidy and my fellow Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Brownley, for making this a bicameral and bipartisan issue.” “I began my career in public service to ensure that all children, including individuals with dyslexia like my daughter, have the resources and positive learning environments to live up to their full potential,"" said Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Brownley. “In recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, we are bringing much needed attention to the challenges people with dyslexia face and, more importantly, reaffirming our commitment to providing them with the support they need to thrive. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Westerman and my colleagues to raise awareness and help those with dyslexia to succeed.” “Dyslexia impacts one in five Americans. With an early diagnosis by the end of kindergarten or beginning of the first grade, these students won’t be left behind and can reach their full potential,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This National Dyslexia Awareness Month, we raise dyslexia awareness and continue to our work to ensure these bright children have the resources to achieve their dreams.” “Dyslexia impacts individuals in West Virginia and all across our country, which is why it is so important that we recognize the substantial challenges it poses to students and adults. I’m proud to join my colleagues once again to introduce this resolution, which will help us raise awareness around the need for early screening, diagnosis, and evidence-based solutions,” said Senator Capito. ""Identifying dyslexia in early childhood is crucial to ensuring students in Maine and across the country are being properly prepared for a lifetime of reading and learning,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution seeks to raise awareness of the problems associated with a lack of dyslexia testing for American students which has left countless unidentified dyslexic students to struggle silently in their education.” s in Maine and across the country are being properly prepared for a lifetime of reading and learning,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan resolution seeks to raise awareness of the problems associated with a lack of dyslexia testing for American students which has left countless unidentified dyslexic students to struggle silently in their education.” Read the full text of the resolution here",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=48DD42D5-4356-4D69-B132-BA79D4C8865A,"Boozman Thanks Regional Economic Development Commissions for Support of Communities, Pushes to Simplify Grant Application Process",2024-09-18,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) applauded the assistance of federal regional commissions to communities in Arkansas and across the country, particularly in the wake of natural disasters and other economic challenges, in a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. Boozman, a senior EPW Committee member, went on to urge witnesses from five federal-state partnership entities to help simplify federal grant applications in order to help state and local governments more readily access funds Congress intended for their use. “Your budgets aren’t very great, but those dollars you have, being able to intervene and really knowing the communities you’re serving makes a huge difference,” Boozman said. “In recent years Arkansas has been devastated by natural disasters from tornadoes and wind to historic flooding along the Arkansas River. The impacts of which are still being dealt with. Once the dust has settled and the rubble has been cleared, communities struggle to continue growth and retain residents.” Boozman also cited the difficulty small, rural localities like Mountainburg, Arkansas face in applying for federal grants to help fund projects like expanding water infrastructure to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to residents. “It shouldn’t be that, if you have a good education, you have to hire a $30,000 grant writer in a very, very small community,” Boozman said. “I hope we can all work together on this. There’s no excuse for making things so very difficult.” Click play to view the video or follow this link https://youtu.be/tinQHes3cnc",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=65796256-2A88-4978-8FC6-50A1668CEA6C,Boozman: “Timely and Urgent Response” Needed to Stave Off Looming Farm Crisis,2024-09-17,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, called for Congress and the administration to provide a “timely and urgent response” to the looming farm crisis in the form of emergency assistance to farmers and called for a redoubling of efforts to pass a farm bill before the end of the calendar year in a speech on the Senate floor. On emergency assistance, Boozman said, “Farmers across the country need a bridge to help their family farms survive into next year. We’ve seen previous ad-hoc assistance programs established in a period of weeks, as demonstrated by then Secretary [Sonny] Perdue when the COVID-19 pandemic created disruptions for producers. That level of timely and urgent response by Congress and the administration is once again warranted.” Boozman then turned his attention to the stalled farm bill talks. “The next farm bill is the appropriate place to make the necessary long-term corrections to our farm safety net, but farmers need timely support addressing 2024 losses as they enter the winter months when they make planting decisions and secure financing for the upcoming crop year,” Boozman said. “We must redouble our efforts to pass a farm bill, before the end of the calendar year, that meets this moment – one that provides the support our farmers desperately need to stay in business. I am committed to sitting down with my counterparts for as long as it takes to hash out a deal that our members can support.” The following are Boozman’s remarks as prepared: Mr. President, Last week hundreds of farmers and ranchers, from all regions of our country, representing operations of all sizes and all the major crops, traveled to Capitol Hill to encourage us to pass a strong farmer-focused farm bill before the end of this year. I met with many of these individuals, and I am grateful they took time away from their families and their farms and ranches to tell us what was at stake if Congress fails to pass a farm bill this year. For these farmers, this trip came with the additional stress of being away from the farm at the height of harvest season. Their visits clearly articulated the anxiety gripping farm country at this crucial moment. For the past few months, farmers, ranchers, the organizations who represent them, and the agricultural banking sector, have all warned of an impending crisis in farm county. Producers are struggling to make ends meet in an environment where costs for farm inputs have ballooned from inflation, interest rates have doubled and market prices are far below the cost of production. Coupled with consecutive years of losses, the financial stress borne, particularly, by our row crop farmers is now being revealed. The reality is there will be fewer farmers in 2025 if Congress does not respond. We have been warned that many farmers will struggle to secure operating loans for next year. This is a devastating realization. The outdated farm safety net they are operating under is doing nothing to address these realities. That is why the Senate needs to take two immediate actions. First, we need to provide emergency assistance to address the economic losses that farmers are facing associated with the 2024 crop. Even with record yields, farmers are still not breaking even. This is not a crisis they can produce, insure, or conserve their way out of. Farmers across the country need a bridge to help their family farms survive into next year. We’ve seen previous ad-hoc assistance programs established in a period of weeks, as demonstrated by then Secretary Perdue when the COVID-19 pandemic created disruptions for producers. That level of timely and urgent response by Congress and the administration is once again warranted. In southern states like Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas, many producers have harvested their 2024 crop and many are losing hundreds of dollars per acre of ground they farm. That same experience is beginning to creep into the Midwest and northern states as harvest begins in these regions. What do losses of this magnitude translate to? Not only are producers not able to pay their bills, but they won’t be able to secure an operating loan for next year’s crop, let alone have any income at all to survive on. This has devastating ripple effects on rural businesses and communities. Let me be clear, emergency assistance does not reduce the need to make meaningful investments to the commodity and crop insurance titles of the next farm bill. In fact, the clear necessity of providing ad hoc assistance for economic losses demonstrates how inadequate the 2018 farm bill is. The next farm bill is the appropriate place to make the necessary long-term corrections to our farm safety net, but farmers need timely support addressing 2024 losses as they enter the winter months when they make planting decisions and secure financing for the upcoming crop year. Which leads me to the second action Congress must take: we must redouble our efforts to pass a farm bill, before the end of the calendar year, that meets this moment – one that provides the support our farmers desperately need to stay in business. I am committed to sitting down with my counterparts for as long as it takes to hash out a deal that our members can support. I was encouraged to see House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott make a similar appeal last week. I know our respective Chairs are eager to pass a bill this session of Congress. The window to make that happen is closing quickly. Our family farmers are staring down a crisis that is growing more dire by the day and many fear that the Senate simply doesn’t care about their plight. Mr. President, you and I both know that is far from the truth. I know my colleagues want to make sure our farmers can continue to produce the safest, most affordable and most abundant supply of food, fuel and fiber in the world. But without action, it is an understandable sentiment. Senate Ag Committee Republicans have been sounding the alarm on this brewing crisis for months. It is the very reason we have been adamant about the need for more farm in the farm bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-sanders-applaud-army-navy-hospital-security-and-fire,"WESTERMAN, SANDERS APPLAUD ARMY-NAVY HOSPITAL SECURITY AND FIRE PROTECTION GRANT",2024-09-12,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"HOT SPRINGS - The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) awarded a federal grant for $2,750,000 to the state of Arkansas for security and fire protection services for the former Army-Navy Hospital property in Hot Springs. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released the following statements applauding the announcement. Congressman Westerman said, ""This grant will provide critical funding for much-needed security and fire prevention services at the former Army-Navy Hospital, a site that holds so much value for Hot Springs and the entire state of Arkansas. With this grant, we are not only ensuring the safety of the buildings and surrounding areas, but we are one step closer to putting this historic site on a clear-cut path to safer and more beneficial use in the future."" Governor Sanders said, ""The Army-Navy Hospital has a significant place in our state’s history and deserves proper care to stay viable for future use. I was proud to work with our federal, state, and local partners to help secure this grant and ensure the safety of the building and downtown Hot Springs. Very grateful for our congressional delegation for their leadership and making this happen."" BACKGROUND: The nearly 21-acre site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which sits atop the city's downtown on National Park Service land, is rapidly falling into disrepair. The Army and Navy began use of the Hot Springs Reservation in 1887. The current major buildings, built by the U.S. Government in the 1930s, once served as the first general hospital in the country to serve Army and Navy patients. The site was deeded by the Army to the State of Arkansas in 1960 and became a state-run rehabilitation center; later being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI). In 2020, the state ceased all operations at the site, and it has remained vacant since, falling victim to increased vandalism and unauthorized access, leading to serious safety and fire concerns for the surrounding areas. ABOUT THE GRANT: On September 10th, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) approved a federal grant for $2,750,000 to the State of Arkansas in support of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs. The grant allows the state of Arkansas to provide security and fire protection services for the former Army-Navy Hospital property.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8FD23DC5-67B0-4BFF-8F5F-2012607B8065,Boozman Shares Memories of Arkansas Veteran on Alert on 9/11,2024-09-11,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Kenneth Griffin in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans. Griffin’s father served in the Air Force and the family moved around the world to support the mission. “He would take me out to the airplanes when we were in California and Gaum, sit me in the cockpit and he’d say, ‘son you want to be an Air Force pilot’ so that was ingrained in my head from being a little kid,” Griffin said. When his dad retired, the family moved to Batesville. After graduating from Batesville High School he enlisted in the Air Force. “It was exactly what I expected it to be,” he said about basic training. “They break you down to be the person that they want you to be.” While on temporary duty assignment in Germany he was tasked with supporting a two-star general recovering in the hospital who introduced him to the mission of aeromedical evacuation and how, using his skills as a medical technician on a “flying ambulance,” he could meet the pilots. After the assignment ended, he received orders to aeromedical evacuation training at Scott Air Force Base. The general is one of several ‘angels’ who put Griffin on the path to becoming a pilot and gave him the confidence to be successful in the cockpit. When Griffin’s original service commitment was nearly complete, he didn’t know what he wanted to do next. Through another ‘angel’ he met, Griffin accepted an ROTC scholarship to Southern Illinois University. Once he graduated he began pilot training. “Back then they called enlisted guys who wanted to be pilots, ‘wannabe’s’. At some point I got to tell the guys that I was a ‘gonnabe’ and I ended up being able to do it through their help steering me the right way.” One hurdle he experienced in achieving that goal was his vision. Griffin didn’t qualify medically because he didn’t have 20/20 vision. He needed a waiver, but those were rarely given. Griffin went to an independent eye doctor who signaled that his vision was correctable to 20/20 allowing him to ultimately be granted the waiver. He credits that doctor as another ‘angel’ who helped him along the path to becoming a pilot. He was not initially interested in flying fighter jets, but was selected to attend the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard Air Force Base. He trained with pilots and instructors from among European allies. At the end of this year-long training, he was assigned to fly an F-15c, the air-to-air version of the F-15 and flew under the call sign “Heater.” In the early years of his pilot career he was stationed with fighter groups in several different locations, but always wanted to get back to Arkansas. When a position opened up at the 188th in Fort Smith, he gladly accepted. It required him to transition to the F-16. Griffin said it was an easy switch but also an opportunity to learn new skills. “You have fighter experience, you just have to learn the specifics of that aircraft and any mission you didn’t do like dropping bombs, I had never dropped a bomb before,” he said. Although he had already been deployed multiple times and faced stressful situations as a pilot, Griffin remembered 9/11 as the day everything changed. He was on duty at the 188th that morning where he and Wing Commander JR Dallas were planning to practice fighter maneuvers. They were watching television as they prepared for the flight and saw the planes hit the World Trade Center towers. “I immediately turned to him and said ‘Sir, we’re under attack.’” Once it became clear what was happening, Griffin said Col. Dallas and everyone on duty set to work figuring out what to do. “Before the sun went down, we had missiles and bullets loaded on our aircraft,” he said. “By that evening we were set and alert in the cockpit.” As one of four pilots on alert that night, he had to prepare for all situations including the possibility that he would be ordered to shoot down an airliner full of Americans. They all had to sign paperwork agreeing to comply with that order if necessary. “That was tough,” he said. “Did I answer it honestly? I don’t know.” Later that night he and another pilot were launched on a scramble order after a report of an unidentified aircraft in Oklahoma potentially poisoning the water supply. “We got launched to get to Tulsa as fast as you can,” Griffin said. “We take off and we’re going above the mach. We’re breaking the sound barrier and the air traffic controller comes on and says you guys can go as fast as you want as high as you want wherever you want because you’re the only aircraft airborne in the United States.” Fortunately, he didn’t have to take action on a plane that he later learned was a crop duster whose pilot hadn’t heard about the attacks. For the next several days Griffin remained on alert and had to stay on the base. “We got launched a few times for different stuff,” he recalled. “You just had to be ready for anything.” In the conflict that followed, the 188th deployed to Iraq in 2002 and again in 2005 to Balad Air Base. During his 30 years in uniform, Griffin completed eight combat tours and was an expert in flying the F-15c, F-15, F-16 and the A-10. After retiring, Griffin became active in politics and served in Governor Asa Hutchinson’s administration as military advisor. “Pick something that you’re proud about doing and you hope somebody asks you so you can tell them what you do. I got to do that. Everyday. I was very proud. I’m a very patriotic person. Devoted love for my country. I got to do that and there is no bigger honor,” he said. “Very, very rewarding. And I loved it every single day I did it.” Griffin was inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2023. “Kenneth Griffin is a pillar of the Arkansas military and veterans community who has lived out his love for our country and state. I’m pleased his memories of service will now be preserved for future generations of to learn and gain inspiration from,” Boozman said. Boozman submitted Griffin’s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans. Do you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the ‘Salute to Veterans’ series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-the-23rd-anniversary-of-9/11,Cotton Statement on the 23rd Anniversary of 9/11,2024-09-11,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 September 11, 2024 Cotton Statement on the 23rd Anniversary of 9/11 Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attacks: “Today, we remember the 3,000 Americans murdered on 9/11/2001. We honor the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to do so, as well as the brave men and women of our armed forces who fought to avenge their deaths. 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. We will never forget those we lost, and we will remain vigilant that nothing like that infamous day will ever happen again.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-un-is-hamas-a-terrorist-organization,Cotton to UN: Is Hamas a Terrorist Organization,2024-09-10,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 September 10, 2024 Cotton to UN: Is Hamas a Terrorist Organization? Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, highlighting his refusal to refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organization in the wake of their brutal execution of six hostages. Senator Cotton pointed out the UN’s repeated false equivalencies between the nation of Israel and the terrorist group Hamas. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “Could you please answer this simple question: Is Hamas a terrorist organization?” Full text of the letter can be found here and below. September 10, 2024 Mr. Volker Türk United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Plaza New York, New York 10017 Dear Mr. Türk: I write regarding your shocking failure to condemn the terrorists of Hamas. While you preen as the moral voice of the world, you’ve refused to call Hamas a terrorist organization and repeatedly drawn a false equivalence between Hamas and Israel. You and your United Nations colleagues should immediately and unequivocally call Hamas what it is: a terrorist organization. The United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, Japan, and even the European Union took this action long ago. Yet moral blindness unfortunately seems to be your modus operandi—never more evident than in your statement earlier this month after Hamas executed six hostages. Although you professed that you were “horrified” by the executions, you failed even to mention Hamas as the murderer and called for an “independent” investigation into the killing. Hamas had already admitted to these barbaric murders, so I’m not sure what such an investigation would prove. Of course, the United Nation has an obscene penchant for targeting and smearing Israel. From the UN’s infamous “Zionism is Racism” resolution a half century ago to its parroting of Hamas casualty numbers today, the UN consistently sides with terrorists against the Jewish state. Your office especially has shown contempt for Israel, repeatedly posting criticisms of Israel on your official social-media accounts and falsely accusing Israel of war crimes. Your moral equivalence between brutal terrorists and a nation-state protecting its citizens is appalling. You have painted Israel as the aggressor while ignoring that Hamas bears responsibility for civilian deaths in Gaza. But you can address these concerns with very little effort by simply joining the rest of the civilized world. Could you please answer this simple question: Is Hamas a terrorist organization? Please respond to this letter no later than September 17. To make it very easy for you, I’ll happily accept a letter that says nothing more than “Hamas is a terrorist organization” between the salutation and the signature line. Surely you can muster the courage to do that? Sincerely, ____________________ Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-mayorkas-american-people-have-a-right-to-know-who-is-crossing-southern-border,Cotton to Mayorkas: American People Have a Right to Know Who is Crossing Southern Border,2024-09-05,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler orPatrick McCann (202) 224-2353 September 5, 2024 Cotton to Mayorkas: American People Have a Right to Know Who is Crossing Southern Border Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas expressing his concern over the refusal to disclose the nationality of individuals on the FBI’s terror watchlist who illegally crossed the southern U.S. border. Senator Cotton questioned the justification of protecting the “personal privacy” of suspected illegal alien terrorists and suggested that the decision to withhold information is a politically motivated attempt to hide evidence of the Biden-Harris border crisis. Full text of the letter may be found here and below. September 5, 2024 The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary, Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528 Dear Secretary Mayorkas, I write about troubling reports that the Department of Homeland Security is refusing to disclose the nationalities of FBI terror watchlist suspects who illegally crossed the southern border. In October 2023, Fox News filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking disclosure of the nationalities of FBI terror watchlist suspects who unlawfully crossed the southern border. A letter denying Fox News’ request stated that your agency is “committed to protecting the identity of individuals” on the terror watchlist, and that the request was an “invasion of personal privacy.” Your agency asserted that the “privacy interests” of illegal-alien terrorists “far outweigh whatever public interest, if any, exists in having their information released.” Your letter also dubiously claimed that terrorist organizations could exploit nationality information by “infer[ring] a large percentage of its operatives from a particular nationality” raise fewer terrorism red flags. Of course, if the Biden-Harris administration impartially enforced our laws and deported illegal aliens regardless of their origin, terrorists wouldn’t be able to game the system in the manner you describe. I suspect that the real reason you’re unlawfully withholding this information about terror suspects’ nationalities isn’t due to privacy or security concerns, but rather partisan concerns that it would alarm the American people. Once again, you’re attempting to hide evidence of the Biden-Harris administration’s border crisis. But the American people have a right to know who is crossing our border, especially when those illegal aliens have ties to terrorism. And that right, contrary to your bizarre assertion, “far outweighs” the privacy rights of illegal aliens suspected of terrorism. Honestly, I can’t believe I even have to write that sentence. Congress has an oversight interest in this information as well. Therefore, please provide my office with the information sought in the Freedom of Information Act request made by Fox News no later than September 10. Sincerely, ____________________ Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E287E615-04D4-47F5-BF65-C48A0B71B63C,Boozman Celebrates Poland F-35 Rollout,2024-08-29,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) celebrated the rollout of Poland’s F-35s that will soon arrive at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, the new home of the Foreign Military Sales mission for the aircraft. Boozman joined officials from the United States and Poland as well as Lockheed Martin leadership to applaud the unveiling of the first Polish F-35 at the company’s plant in Fort Worth, Texas Wednesday. This marks a critical step in advancing Arkansas’s role in protecting the interests of our country and allies. “Developing these capabilities side by side is critical to ensuring global security. Now more than ever we can see the advantages of interoperability between partner nations, and this event only furthers the already strong relationship between Poland and the U.S.,” Boozman said. “The Fort Smith community is truly excited to see Polish pilots and jets soon fly in The Natural State.” In March 2023 the Air Force announced Ebbing Air National Guard Base as home of the foreign military pilot training center. Boozman, along with Arkansas Congressional Delegation members Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Steve Womack, worked to secure the mission and are continuing to champion federal investments that serve to enhance the installation and community. As ranking member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, Boozman has shepherded legislation through the Senate allocating funds over multiple years to prepare Ebbing to successfully host the program and allied partners. In Fiscal Year 2024 Boozman, Cotton and Womack delivered $83 million to the base and are committed to supporting continued investment in Fiscal Year 2025 and beyond. Sen. Boozman poses in front of the first Polish F-35 at the Lockheed Martin plant.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ACB730A4-2B72-4515-8A50-A4E32A5A1ABE,Boozman: Biden-Harris Administration is Failing Farmers and Rural America on Trade,2024-08-28,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its latest outlook projecting a record negative agriculture trade deficit for fiscal year 2025. “We have entered uncharted territory with the latest projected data on the U.S. agricultural trade deficit. The Biden-Harris administration is failing our farmers, ranchers and foresters when it comes to maintaining our competitive advantage in the global marketplace. The President and his team simply must do more to actively engage and aggressively advocate for our agriculture producers on the world stage. There is just no way around it. Congress must also step up to the plate and pass a new farm bill that makes a robust investment in USDA’s trade promotion programs. The framework Senate Republicans released doubles funding for the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program, the farm bill’s premier trade promotion programs. This is an excellent place to start. Anything less is yet another a step in the wrong direction.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=83CCE86D-92F6-46A2-BF89-CACE835C64CC,"Boozman, Moran, Coons, Colleagues Call for Rule Exemption to Protect Volunteer Firefighters",2024-08-27,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Chris Coons (D-DE) in calling on the Department of Labor to exempt volunteer fire departments from parts of a proposed rule that would put burdensome regulations on volunteer fire departments across the country. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed a new rule earlier this year that would require fire departments to furnish new reports, trainings, equipment and health services. “Volunteer firefighters have indicated they lack the financial resources and personnel to comply with this rule,” the senators wrote to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “For many departments, implementation of this rule would render significant shares of their equipment non-compliant. The financial burden associated with replacing that equipment and furnishing the reports, assessments, trainings, and health services required by the rule would be prohibitive for volunteer departments, whose budgets are already strained.” “It is our intention to insulate our volunteers and the communities they serve from the negative impacts of a regulation that could jeopardize their fire services,” the senators continued. “The rule must provide volunteer departments with the flexibility to perform their duties unencumbered by impracticable requirements.” Joining Boozman, Moran and Coons’ push were Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), John Hoeven (R-ND), Angus King (I-ME), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Tom Cotton (R-AR). Read the full letter below. Dear Acting Secretary Su, In February of this year, OSHA proposed a rule – the “Emergency Response” standard – to replace the “Fire Brigades” standard covering firefighters in the UnitedStates. In order to protect our volunteer departments, we believe it is critical to explicitly exempt volunteer fire departments from the standard, or parts of the standard, as OSHA finalizes the new rule. Over 85% of America’s fire departments are either volunteer or mostly volunteer. Nearly 700,000 of America’s 1,056,000 firefighters are volunteers or paid per call firefighters. Communities across America, particularly in rural areas, rely on these departments and their volunteers for firefighting services, and it is our priority to ensure that the “Emergency Response” standard does not damage their ability to effectively serve and protect their communities. The proposed rule would apply to more workers than the existing standard and would require fire departments to furnish new reports, trainings, equipment, and health services. Volunteer firefighters have indicated they lack the financial resources and personnel to comply with this rule. For many departments, implementation of this rule would render significant shares of their equipment non-compliant. The financial burden associated with replacing that equipment and furnishing the reports, assessments, trainings, and health services required by the rule would be prohibitive for volunteer departments, whose budgets are already strained. Moreover, many of the training requirements would be impractical for volunteers working full-time in other capacities. In the executive summary of the rule, OSHA suggests the rule will not apply to most volunteers. However, there is widespread concern this new standard would be imposed on non-profit volunteer fire departments, even in states without an OSHA-approved State Plan. Chad Russell, President of the Kansas Fire Chief’s Association, estimated that implementation of this rule could shutter up to 80% of volunteer departments nationwide. Many volunteer firefighters have echoed this projection and anticipate closure of their departments for fear of compliance and liability issues. Steve Hirsch, Chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council, explained the potential negative impact of this rule on communities: “As written, this proposed standardcould… compromise the safety and emergency response capabilities of many small communities, particularly small communities in rural areas served by volunteer departments.” It is our intention to insulate our volunteers and the communities they serve from the negative impacts of a regulation that could jeopardize their fire services. The rulemust provide volunteer departments with the flexibility to perform their duties unencumbered by impracticable requirements. We urge OSHA to add explicit exemptions for volunteer fire departments in the final version of the “Emergency Response” standard. Thank you for your consideration and your attention to this important issue. I look forward to your reply.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5E914A0A-FD04-4D76-AD9C-A1B0BB20F5D6,Boozman Shares Memories of Rogers Veteran,2024-08-15,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Chris Traxson in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans. Traxson was born in Rogers and graduated from Rogers High School in 1999. He attended Northwest Arkansas Community College before enrolling at the University of Arkansas where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He served as a police officer for his hometown and, after a year in that role, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. Traxson is from a family with a history of military service, including his dad who was drafted during the Vietnam War, and was inspired to help in the War on Terror. “It was a time when I felt like I wanted to do more. There was a lot going on in the Middle East,” he said. “I just felt like I was in a place in my life from the physical fitness standpoint and maturity level where I thought I could go in and help with the effort.” Traxson was encouraged to join the Marines by some of his law enforcement colleagues who were veterans of the branch. He wanted to serve on the frontlines and was convinced the Marine infantry division was the quickest path to combat. He also appreciated its proud tradition. He was 24 years old when he attended bootcamp, “I was definitely the old man, they kinda came to me for that fatherly guidance even though I wasn’t a father. And it was the same in infantry school as well.” In 2006 he learned his unit was attaching to another from Detroit as part of a large battalion build up that would eventually be deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. Traxson arrived in Fallujah two years after the battles of 2004 and said the locals were just beginning to return to the city. However, there was severe property damage and a lot of hostility. “In the first two weeks we were there it was extremely quiet and then after that two-week period things started popping off. We were getting enemy contact almost every day. And I had to ask, ‘Why was it so quiet those first two weeks?’ and they informed me that they were watching us,” Traxson recalled. “They knew we were a new unit.” Traxson said he had to be ready to go at a moment’s notice, so after long days out on a mission, the marines had to have their gear and vehicles prepared for the next time they would be called upon. His assignment was to ride in the turret of the Humvee operating the machine gun and watching the roadway for improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He’d only been in Iraq four weeks when he was injured by an IED. “I wasn’t even supposed to go out that day,” he said. He was given the option to sit out for 48 hours because his team had rolled over an explosive device on its last mission. However, he was cleared to participate and decided to join. He doesn’t remember a lot about the explosion but recalled the doors of the vehicle blew off. “I had taken off running because I was on fire,” he said. The marines in his Humvee were loaded onto a truck and taken to the hospital. Three weeks later he woke up at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. He had third-degree burns on 56 percent of his body. In the two years of recovery, he had more than 70 surgeries. His mother, a nurse, quit her job in Arkansas to help take care of him and advocate on his behalf while he was in recovery. “She wanted to make sure I had somebody to speak for me,” he said. During his recovery, he received letters from his fellow marines updating him on friends in his unit. “Obviously, [we’d] suffered casualties and they would let me know about who those were,” he said. “Some of them I was close to so it was hard not being able to go to their funerals.” Traxson received a Purple Heart for his sacrifice. “No one wants to get a Purple Heart, but I’m happy to accept it.” He was discharged in 2009 and worked part-time at a local store as he continued his healing while also serving as a security guard at Northwest Arkansas Community College for eight years. He graduated from business school in 2013 and today works at the Benton County Veterans Service Office where he helps veterans in getting the benefits and services they’ve earned. “My experience makes it a lot easier for them to talk to me.” He has been honored to talk to students about his journey and encourages them to be optimistic in addition to aspiring to a lifetime of public service whether in the military or other civic engagement. “Some of the best people I ever met were people in uniform,” he said. “They came from all over the country. They were all different colors, religions and that’s the thing I like about the military is that when you go in there, we all wear the same uniform. We’re not anything else but the uniform we wear. I learned a lot from the people I served with. They made me better.” “Chris Traxson honorably served his country and has made a great sacrifice. His perseverance and determination are an inspiration to us all. I’m proud to capture and preserve his memories of his service for the benefit of future generations,” Boozman said. Boozman submitted Traxson’s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans. Do you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the ‘Salute to Veterans’ series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-reiterates-the-demand-for-answers-regarding-harris-national-security-advisors-communications-with-iranian-influence-operation,Cotton Reiterates the Demand for Answers Regarding Harris’ National Security Advisor’s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation,2024-08-15,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 August 15, 2024 Cotton Reiterates the Demand for Answers Regarding Harris’ National Security Advisor’s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a second letter to Vice President Kamala Harris to express his concern about her National Security Advisor, Philip Gordon, and his connections to senior Department of Defense official Ariane Tabatabai. Ms. Tabatabai was reportedly involved in an Iranian government operation to expand Iran’s influence in the United States. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “In social media posts since my last letter, Mr. Gordon continues to demonstrate a pattern of anti-Israel bias, which furthers Iranian interests. If he’s willing to ridicule Israel so unfairly in public, I can only imagine what he is telling you in private. I understand that it may be difficult to discern Iranian agents from the left-wing ideologies on your staff. But you have the responsibility to make these difficult distinctions and appropriately vet the people you elevate to positions of distinction and trust.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. August 15, 2024 Vice President Kamala D. Harris The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Vice President Harris, On July 31, I sent you a letter regarding your National Security Advisor Philip Gordon’s connections to alleged Iranian spy, Ariane Tabatabai. Yet, you failed to respond by my deadline or to appropriately address this threat to national security emanating from your staff. The presence of such an obvious security risk in your inner circle should have elicited your utmost attention. It raises the question of whether you’ve been aware of Mr. Gordon’s possible links to the Iranian regime and simply find your policies aligned enough with Tehran’s interests that ties to that regime don’t concern you. In social media posts since our last letter, Mr. Gordon continues to demonstrate a pattern of anti- Israel bias, which furthers Iranian interests. If he’s willing to ridicule Israel so unfairly in public, we can only imagine what he is telling you in private. I understand that it may be difficult to discern Iranian agents from the left-wing ideologues on your staff. But you have the responsibility to make these difficult distinctions and appropriately vet the people you elevate to positions of distinction and trust. I expect you to immediately investigate Mr. Gordon’s ties to the Iranian regime and provide responses to my initial July 31 letter. Thank you for your belated attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=00EE6ED3-FFB1-4D59-804F-A53BF0DFA226,Alma Teen Serves as Senate Page,2024-08-12,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Alma High School student Landen Coursey traded in the scenery of Crawford County for the opportunity to navigate our nation’s capital and the corridors of Congress as a Senate Page this summer. Coursey served as one of 52 Senate Pages who prepared the U.S. Senate chamber for the day’s business by distributing documents to senators’ desks, assisting in the cloakrooms, supporting chamber staff, and – when the body was in session – sitting near the dais waiting to help members delivering remarks or casting votes. He also witnessed a historic address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who became the only world leader to deliver a fourth speech before American lawmakers in a joint meeting of Congress. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a Senate Page. Being able to experience and play a small part in the inner workings and operations of the Senate has given me a new appreciation for our democratic process and has changed my perspective for the better. I will always look back at this program with fondness and gratitude,” Coursey said. The 17-year-old rising senior earned his appointment to the position from U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR). “Landen did an excellent job supporting the day-to-day activity of the Senate while observing legislative processes and procedures firsthand. I am confident this experience will inspire him to continue exploring his interest in civics and public service. Our entire state can be proud of his participation in this prestigious program,” Boozman said. Coursey is the president of the Alma High School student council and an active member of the school’s dance team and chamber choir as well as the Model United Nations and National Honor Society chapters. He is also involved in community service efforts through his local church. Landen is the son of JD and Bekah Coursey. The Senate Page program started in 1829 when Senator Daniel Webster appointed the first Senate Page. Today, the program is a unique, highly selective opportunity for high school juniors with a strong academic standing to learn firsthand about the institution often referred to as “the world’s greatest deliberative body.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7BF26707-1B1E-4F73-AEED-037CAB278BE8,WTAS: Support Builds for Boozman-Welch Legislation to Protect Seniors’ Access to Healthcare,2024-08-08,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Peter Welch (D-VT) announced support from national health organizations for the Physician Fee Stabilization Act, legislation that ensures greater flexibility in determining pricing adjustments for medical services without triggering harmful annual payment cuts to Medicare-serving physicians. The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Angus King (I-ME), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). What They Are Saying “Physicians cannot continue to be faced with large reductions in Medicare payment at the beginning of each year, threatening our practice operations and access to care for our nation’s seniors. The American College of Physicians supports the Physician Fee Stabilization Act that would help to ensure this doesn’t continue to happen by raising the threshold for the implementation of budget neutral payment cuts,” said Isaac O. Opole, MBChB, PHD, MACP, President, American College of Physicians. “The Physician Fee Stabilization Act would provide a much-needed increase to the budget neutrality threshold, raising the trigger amount from $20 million, where it has been since 1992, to $53 million. It would then provide for inflationary increases every five years based on the Medicare Economic Index. As proposed, the $33 million increase is proportional to the growth of Part B spending since the implementation of the PFS,” said American College of Surgeons Executive Director and CEO Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS. “This would be an important step forward to ensure greater flexibility in determining pricing adjustments for services without triggering re-occurring across-the-board cuts at the end of every year.” “The Physician Fee Stabilization Act is a vital step toward ensuring stability and fairness in physician payment reform, especially for cardiologists who provide life-saving care. By raising the budget neutrality threshold, this legislation will help prevent annual cuts that threaten patients’ access to cardiovascular care. The American College of Cardiology commends Senators Boozman, Welch, Tillis, King, Marshall and Shaheen for their leadership and commitment to supporting our nation's cardiologists and their patients,” said American College of Cardiology President Cathleen Biga, MSN, FACC. “The Physician Fee Stabilization Act marks the Senate's first legislative solution this year to help ensure fair and consistent Medicare payments for physician services, and Congress should pass this bill to help ensure our nation’s seniors continue to have timely access to the physician of their choice. We applaud the bipartisan group of Senators leading this initiative and look forward to working with policymakers to advance additional long-lasting Medicare policy solutions,” said Russell R. Lonser, MD, FAANS, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. “The American Academy of Dermatology Association sincerely thanks Senators Boozman and Welch for introducing the Physician Fee Stabilization Act, which would update the budget neutrality thresholds in the Medicare physician fee schedule,” said American Academy of Dermatology Association President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD. “This bill is a crucial step in the fight to reform Medicare physician payment as it would revise budget neutrality policies that contribute to eroding reimbursement, which is not only a critical top priority for dermatologists, but for all physicians and most importantly the patients we serve.” “The AAMC applauds Sens. Boozman and Welch for introducing the Physician Fee Stabilization Act. Physicians employed by teaching health systems and hospitals across the country are dedicated to both providing care to the most complex and vulnerable patients and training the next generation of physicians. These large, multispecialty practices are vital resources to their local communities, providing significant primary care and other critical services, including a large percentage of tertiary, quaternary, and specialty referral care in the community. However, their ability to continue to provide care in their communities is in jeopardy due to the threat of yearly cuts to their patient care payments,” said Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, Chief Public Policy Officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges. “The Physician Fee Stabilization Act would update the current budget neutrality threshold in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and continue to update it every five years. While more is needed to ensure the stability and longevity of the PFS, this is a critical step, and we appreciate the bipartisan commitment of Sens. Boozman and Welch to addressing issues with the PFS and look forward to working to get this legislation passed.” “The American Urological Association (AUA) applauds Senators John Boozman and Peter Welch, along with Senators Thom Tillis, Angus King, Roger Marshall, MD and Jeanne Shaheen, for their leadership in introducing S. 4935, the Physician Fee Stabilization Act,” said AUA Public Policy Council Chair Mark Edney, MD, MBA. “This bipartisan legislation takes the critical step of increasing the budget neutrality threshold from $20 to $53 million with adjustments every five years to keep pace with the MEI. The budget neutrality threshold has not been updated in more than 30 years and physicians are the only Medicare provider without inflationary payment updates. S. 4935 would fix this and bring much-needed stability to physician payment year after year, helping to ease the provision of urological care and countless other services to millions of Americans under Medicare.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B869903C-15A3-49B3-8EFC-080FBCEB85C1,Boozman Pushing to Restrict Legislation Restricting Bonuses to Senior VA Executives,2024-08-05,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in introducing legislation to prohibit funding for veterans benefits to be used to pay bonuses to senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) in Washington, D.C. The Stop Government Rewards Enriching Executives in the District – or Stop GREED Act – comes on the heels of a VA Office of Inspector General report that found the VA’s Under Secretaries of Health and Benefits improperly approved $10.8 million in PACT Act Critical Skill Incentive (CSI) payments to VACO’s senior executives rather than rank-and-file employees across the country. Last month, VA announced a budgetary shortfall of $3 billion in Fiscal Year 2024 and nearly $12 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 that may cause a delay in veterans benefits without action from Congress by September 20. VACO senior executives involved with this budget mismanagement were approved for CSI bonuses worth tens of thousands of dollars. The VA has been recovering the improper CSI payments since the scandal became public but without legislative action, it would be able to use these bonus payments to reward VACO executives again in the future. “The PACT Act was intended to expand benefits to the men and women who wore our nation’s uniform now living with toxic exposure-related illnesses as a result of their service,” Boozman said. “This legislation will ensure funds will be used to support the needs of veterans, not VA executives.” “The critical skills incentive payments that were included in the PACT Act were meant to improve recruitment and retention for difficult-to-fill positions across VA, not to increase the salaries of senior executives in Washington, D.C.,"" Moran said. “The bonuses to executives were a gross misuse of funds, especially in light of the VA’s budget shortfall failure, and we must make certain it does not happen again.” “The VA must be held accountable for its egregious mishandling of the critical skill incentives that were included in the PACT Act,” said Blackburn. “We must restore integrity and trust within the VA, and the Stop GREED Act would help ensure such a failure does not happen again.” The CSI authority from the PACT Act was intended to strengthen the delivery of health care and benefits to veterans by providing incentives to retain highly-skilled, rank-and-file employees across the country, including human resources staff, police officers and housekeepers in the VA.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-accepting-serviceacademynominations,Cotton Accepting Service Academy Nominations,2024-08-05,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 August 5, 2024 Cotton Accepting Service Academy Nominations Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) announced today that he is accepting applications for service academy nominations. To be considered for a nomination, applicants must submit by Friday, November 1, 2024. ""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,"" Senator Cotton said.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-garland-investigate-schools-with-ties-to-chinese-communists,"Cotton, Colleagues to Garland: Investigate Schools with Ties to Chinese Communists",2024-08-05,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 August 5, 2024 Cotton, Colleagues to Garland: Investigate Schools with Ties to Chinese Communists Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with seven of his colleagues, today sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland to urge him to investigate cases of American institutions of higher education having ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In addition to investigating the current cases, the senators asked AG Garland for written responses on how the Department of Justice is working to mitigate the threat the CCP poses to the U.S. education system. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) co-signed the letter. In part, the senators wrote: “Undisclosed and unmonitored financial relationships between U.S. academia and the CCP are glaring national security risks. Such relationships leave the U.S. vulnerable to intellectual property theft, improper influence, and even espionage. It is imperative that DOJ take additional steps to swiftly address this concern.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. August 5, 2024 The Honorable Merrick Garland U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20530 Dear Attorney General Garland, We write regarding reports that American institutions of higher education (IHEs) are failing to disclose financial ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Efforts to conceal CCP attempts to influence American students and steal intellectual property threaten our national security. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has disclosed multiple cases where U.S. universities collaborated illegally with the CCP. On July 16, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Maryland announced that the University of Maryland paid $500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to disclose funding from Chinese companies, including Alibaba. On October 2, 2023, the same office announced that Stanford University paid $1.9 million to resolve allegations related to faculty’s ties with the CCP. In both cases, the universities knowingly defrauded federal agencies critical to national security. Undisclosed and unmonitored financial relationships between U.S. academia and the CCP are glaring national security risks. Such relationships leave the U.S. vulnerable to intellectual property theft, improper influence, and even espionage. It is imperative that DOJ take additional steps to swiftly address this concern. For those reason, please answer the following questions by September 2, 2024. Has the frequency of IHEs committing False Claims Act violations as result of failing to disclose funding from CCP-affiliated entities increased since January 1, 2020? What is the current assessment of the threats posed to American students and federal research initiatives by CCP involvement? What steps does the DOJ take to mitigate CCP attempts to influence the U.S. education system? How does the DOJ work with the rest of the interagency, including the Department of Defense, to evaluate and mitigate these threats? Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-mcconnell-statement-on-revocation-of-plea-deal-for-9/11-terrorists,"Cotton, McConnell Statement on Revocation of Plea Deal for 9/11 Terrorists",2024-08-03,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 August 3, 2024 Cotton, McConnell Statement on Revocation of Plea Deal for 9/11 Terrorists Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) released the following statement regarding Secretary Austin’s decision to revoke 9/11 terrorists’ plea deal: “We are glad that Secretary Austin came to his senses, heeded our warning, and decided to take the concerns of 9/11 victims and families seriously. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s consideration of a plea deal with terrorist mass murderers was disgraceful. America deserves a Commander-in-Chief committed to peace through strength, not chaos through weakness. “The President must know that we continue to watch this situation closely. The Justice for 9/11 Act is introduced, and if the Administration ever changes course, we stand ready to overturn any future cowardly plea deals with the murderous mastermind of that tragic day. “The United States of America must never flinch in holding terrorists accountable for their actions.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=009C15A6-87CA-4FF9-A510-587D4440CFB9,"Boozman, Cotton & Senate GOP Colleagues to White House: Delaying Weapons to Israel Undermines Our Ally, Accommodates Iran",2024-08-02,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and 46 Senate Republicans in protesting the Biden-Harris administration’s partial arms embargo against Israel. The senators, in a letter, urged the White House to cease accommodating Iran, stop jeopardizing the lives of American servicemembers and deliver the necessary weapons systems to our closest ally in the Middle East. “When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air to air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems,” the senators wrote. Full text of the letter can be found here or below. August 2, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: This weekend, Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel, murdering 12 children and injuring dozens in the single deadliest attack on that part of the country since October 7. The ultimate responsibility for this attack rests with Hezbollah and the ayatollahs in Iran. However, while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it, your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened. We write once again to protest your administration’s partial arms embargo against Israel. The actions of the Biden-Harris administration run counter to our long history of robust military cooperation with Israel and cast doubt upon the reliability of the United States as a long-term security partner. Your actions also violate the will of Congress as expressed in the recent supplemental that funded emergency military support to Israel. When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air to air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems. While your administration delays, Hamas continues to wage war against Israel, the Houthis continue to attack in the Red Sea, and Hezbollah continues its onslaught in northern Israel. Your stalling tactics are endangering our greatest ally in the Middle East and jeopardizing the lives of our American servicemembers stationed in the region. We urge you to use every available emergency authority to expedite the physical delivery of all weapons and ammunition to Israel that have been approved by Congress. Your administration must stop accommodating Iran and its terrorist allies now.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E87B4FBF-FD34-433A-ABCF-A68505CB83A0,Boozman Applauds Summer Interns on Service to Arkansas,2024-08-02,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the efforts of students who served Arkansans as interns in his Washington, D.C. and state offices this summer. “I am proud of these young men and women for their interest in public service and support of our work on behalf of Arkansans. These bright and hardworking interns have helped my staff address issues affecting Natural State residents and have taken advantage of the great opportunities available to them in our nation’s capital,” Boozman said. Ella Brewer, Kate Edelen, Hank Herzfeld, Zach Ingle, Luisa Lawson, Henry Oltman, Joseph Osborne, Meredith Pinkston and Elaine Shue completed a five-week internship in Boozman’s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various aspects of their work. Each intern was also afforded the chance to shadow the senator, a unique opportunity giving them rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate. Masheyat Rahman interned in the senator’s Lowell office where she supported state staff in outreach to Arkansans. Ella Brewer is from Little Rock and graduated in 2021 from Mount St. Mary’s Academy. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying psychology with an agricultural business minor. On campus, Ella is a member of the Pre-Law Society, Chi Omega Psi sorority and Psi Chi. She also studied abroad in South Africa. Upon graduation, Ella plans to attend law school. Kate Edelen is from Chesterfield, Missouri and graduated from Marquette High School in 2021. She currently attends the University of Arkansas and is majoring in nursing with a general business minor. Kate is a member of the Student Nurses Association and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Hank Herzfeld is from Benton and graduated from Benton High School in 2021. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in history and political science with minors in medieval and renaissance studies, legal studies and German. On campus, Hank leads the Arkansas Mentorship Program, Quiz Bowl Club and served as a resident assistant for two years. Upon graduation, Hank plans to attend law school. Zach Ingle is from Farmington. He graduated from Subiaco Academy in 2021. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in political science with a minor in legal studies. Zach is a member of Beta Upsilon Chi fraternity. He also studied abroad in Rome where he focused on Italian culture and global studies. Upon graduation, Zach plans to pursue a masters degree in public policy and government. Luisa Lawson is from Bentonville and graduated from Haas Hall Academy in 2021. She is a rising senior at Saint Louis University majoring in psychology and marketing. On campus, she is a member of the Marketing Club, OASIS and MSA student organizations. She also volunteers at animal shelters in her free time. Upon graduation, Luisa plans to spend a gap year in Brazil before attending law school. Henry Oltman is from Harrison and graduated from Harrison High School in 2021. He is a rising senior at Columbia University majoring in political science and history. On campus, he is a journalist with the Columbia Sundial and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Upon graduation, Henry plans to attend law school. Joseph Osborne is from Wynne and graduated from Wynne High School in 2021. He is a rising senior at Ouachita Baptist University majoring in political science and history. On campus, he is a participant in the Carl Goodson Honors Program, the Ouachita Bands and History Club. He is also a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Alpha Theta honors societies. Upon graduation, Joseph plans to attend graduate school. Meredith Pinkston is from Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock Christian Academy in 2021. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in political science and journalism with a minor in legal studies. On campus, she works at the university’s recreation center. She also interns at the Arkansas Health Care Association. Upon graduation, Meredith plans to attend law school. Elaine Shue is from Fort Smith and graduated from Grace Academy in 2020. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2023 with a degree in criminology and sociology. She is currently a second-year law student at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Elaine is a member of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and is a staff editor of the Arkansas Law Review. Masheyat Rahman is from Fayetteville and graduated from Haas Hall Academy in 2021. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying psychology, philosophy and legal studies. On campus, she serves as the treasurer for the CORD Student Staff Advisory Board. Upon graduation, Masheyat plans to attend law school.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-47-senate-gop-colleagues-to-biden-harris-administration-delaying-weapons-to-israel-undermines-our-ally-accommodates-iran,"Cotton, 47 Senate GOP Colleagues to Biden-Harris Administration: Delaying Weapons to Israel Undermines Our Ally, Accommodates Iran",2024-08-02,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 August 2, 2024 Cotton, 47 Senate GOP Colleagues to Biden-Harris Administration: Delaying Weapons to Israel Undermines Our Ally, Accommodates Iran Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today led 47 of his Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the Biden-Harris administration, protesting its partial arms embargo against Israel. The senators urged the White House to cease accommodating Iran, stop jeopardizing the lives of American servicemembers, and to deliver the necessary weapons systems to Israel. Co-leading the letter were Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi). Additional signatories included Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Todd Young (R-Indiana). In part, the senators wrote: “When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120 mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. August 2, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: This weekend, Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel, murdering 12 children and injuring dozens in the single deadliest attack on that part of the country since October 7. The ultimate responsibility for this attack rests with Hezbollah and the ayatollahs in Iran. However, while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it, your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened. We write once again to protest your administration’s partial arms embargo against Israel. The actions of the Biden-Harris administration run counter to our long history of robust military cooperation with Israel and cast doubt upon the reliability of the United States as a long-term security partner. Your actions also violate the will of Congress as expressed in the recent supplemental that funded emergency military support to Israel. When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120 mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems. While your administration delays, Hamas continues to wage war against Israel, the Houthis continue to attack in the Red Sea, and Hezbollah continues its onslaught in northern Israel. Your stalling tactics are endangering our greatest ally in the Middle East and jeopardizing the lives of our American servicemembers stationed in the region. We urge you to use every available emergency authority to expedite the physical delivery of all weapons and ammunition to Israel that have been approved by Congress. Your administration must stop accommodating Iran and its terrorist allies now. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-bill-to-hold-9/11-terrorists-accountable,Cotton Introduces Bill to Hold 9/11 Terrorists Accountable,2024-08-02,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 August 2, 2024 Cotton Introduces Bill to Hold 9/11 Terrorists Accountable Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) yesterday introduced legislation, the Justice for 9/11 Act, to nullify any plea deals made between the U.S. government and the Guantanamo Bay inmates who planned the 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2001. Senator Cotton introduced the legislation after the inmates—Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi—reportedly reached a plea deal where they would serve life in prison in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. “Giving a plea deal to the terrorist masterminds behind 9/11 is disgraceful and an insult to the victims of the attacks, as well at those who served to avenge them. These monsters should have faced justice decades ago; instead, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are setting the stage to let them go free. My bill will stop this travesty,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the bill may be found here. Background: The pretrial agreement between the 9/11 planners and the government removes the possibility of the death penalty as punishment. In 2008, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad was charged with multiple crimes for his role, including conspiracy, murder in violation of the law of war, attacking civilians, and terrorism and material support of terrorism. The Justice for 9/11 Act would prevent the Biden-Harris administration from offering plea deals to the 9/11 terrorists by requiring a trial and ensuring death penalty remains an option in sentencing. The bill would also require the terrorist be kept at Guantanamo Bay in solitary confinement and prohibit them from being extradited to another country. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:36:13Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4C0478E1-F0A6-421B-B6B2-478E998A1B84,Senate Committee Approves Boozman Language to Support Volunteer Fire Departments,2024-08-01,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) succeeded in pushing for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to further examine potential unintended consequences of its Emergency Response Standard proposal to ensure communities in Arkansas and across the country continue to have access to volunteer firefighter services. The senator’s language was added to the Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and encourages OSHA to conduct listening sessions and outreach with stakeholders to fully understand the impact of new requirements on volunteer fire departments. “We must ensure firefighters have the tools and training to safeguard themselves and the community, which means any adjustments to the standards applied to them must be carefully considered. OSHA’s current one-size-fits-all proposal could jeopardize volunteer fire departments’ ability to continue operating or drastically limit their resources and personnel capacity. I’m hopeful the plan can be revised with feedback from stakeholders,” Boozman said. Arkansas has 1,003 fire departments and 974 are at least partially staffed by volunteers. In February, OSHA announced its proposal to modernize safety requirements for emergency responders, but volunteer fire departments in Arkansas and across the country have shared their apprehensions with Congress that parts of the plan could cause unintended consequences and lead to increased costs resulting in potential cuts to services.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F3A027D5-8309-4C81-914D-AE520B11E633,Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Seniors’ Access to Healthcare,2024-08-01,2024,2024-08,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Peter Welch (D-VT) along with Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Angus King (I-ME), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are leading efforts to protect access to Medicare services by reforming the program’s physician fee schedule with the introduction of the Physician Fee Stabilization Act. The legislation would increase the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million with an increase every five years to keep pace with the Medicare Economic Index. This is a critical step forward to ensure greater flexibility in determining pricing adjustments for services without triggering harmful annual payment cuts to Medicare-serving physicians. The budget neutrality threshold was last updated in 1992. “Medicare patients must have access to quality health services. Ensuring physicians are fairly compensated for their work will help deliver stability to providers so they continue to meet the needs of their communities. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan solution that enhances Medicare’s sustainability,” Boozman said. “So many Vermonters rely on Medicare for their health care coverage – it’s critical that their health care providers are fairly compensated,” said Welch. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill updates an outdated, decades-old policy that triggers harmful cuts to provider payments. We’re working across the aisle to ensure providers in Vermont, and in rural communities around the country, can keep treating Medicare patients and get reimbursed fairly for the care they provide.” “The nearly two million Medicare beneficiaries in North Carolina expect timely access to quality care,” said Tillis. “Year after year, we’ve seen consistent Medicare reimbursement cuts to physicians that adversely impact access to care and patient outcomes – and just last month, Medicare proposed yet another three percent cut to physician reimbursement. This bipartisan legislation makes long-overdue changes to outdated policies to ensure physicians are adequately reimbursed, and seniors have uninterrupted access to care.” “Accessible and reliable healthcare is essential for seniors across Maine, especially for those in our most rural communities,” said King. “The Physician Fee Stabilization Act would ensure that Medicare providers are adequately paid so that they can continue to offer their full range of services to Maine’s Medicare beneficiaries. I want to thank my colleagues for prioritizing the healthcare and well-being of our older Americans.” “This legislation is a great step forward to provide stability for physicians serving our most vulnerable populations,” Marshall said. “Medicare payment changes have been severely impacting doctors in rural Kansas and nationwide since I was practicing. It's time to implement meaningful reforms. I am proud to support this bill and look forward to working with Senator Boozman to help physicians everywhere.” “It’s critical we do all we can to ensure that Granite Staters who rely on Medicare for health insurance have access to the quality, affordable care they need,” said Shaheen. “This bipartisan bill would make sure physicians are fairly compensated and guarantee adequate reimbursement for providers, which would help strengthen Medicare’s dependability for patients now and into the future.” The Physician Fee Stabilization Act has support from nationwide health organizations including the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), American Optometric Association (AOA), Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), National Rural Health Association (NRHA), American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), American College of Radiology (ACR), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), Alliance of Specialty Medicine (ASM), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Urological Association (AUA), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Psychiatric Association (APA), American College of Physicians (ACF), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and American College of Cardiology (ACC).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:32Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-bill-to-unmask-iranian-election-interference,Cotton Introduces Bill to Unmask Iranian Election Interference,2024-07-31,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler orPatrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 31, 2024 Cotton Introduces Bill to Unmask Iranian Election Interference Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Unmasking Networks of Virtual Election Interference and Lies (UNVEIL) Act, legislation that would require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to publicly reveal the Islamic Republic’s interference in U.S. domestic politics from October 7, 2023. Senator Cotton’s bill introduction follows reports that the Iranian government is using covert social media activity and other influence operations to interfere in the 2024 presidential election. “The Biden-Harris administration’s weakness has emboldened and enriched Iran. It’s no wonder that the ayatollahs prefer four more years of appeasement. Americans deserve to know the extent to which Iran is interfering in our election against President Trump,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the bill may be found here. The UNVEIL Act would: Require a list of the social media accounts being run by Iran. Require a description of protestors to whom Iran has provided financial support. Require a description of any Iran-led email campaigns targeted at government officials or voters. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-stefanik-demand-answers-regarding-harris-national-security-advisors-communications-with-iranian-influence-operation,"Cotton, Stefanik Demand Answers Regarding Harris’ National Security Advisor’s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation",2024-07-31,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 31, 2024 Cotton, Stefanik Demand Answers Regarding Harris’ National Security Advisor’s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (New York-21) today sent a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris to express his concern about her National Security Advisor, Philip Gordon, and his connections to senior Department of Defense official Ariane Tabatabai. Ms. Tabatabai was reportedly involved in an Iranian government operation to expand Iran’s influence in the United States. In part, the lawmakers wrote: “Before joining your office, Mr. Gordon co-authored at least three opinion pieces with Ms. Tabatabai blatantly promoting the Iranian regime’s perspective and interests. In a March 2020 piece, Mr. Gordon and Ms. Tabatabai claimed continued sanctions on Iran would create ‘catastrophe’ in the Middle East. In another, they wrote sanctions could lead to new Iranian efforts to ‘lash out with attacks on its neighbors, and on Americans and American interests in the Middle East.’ Each prediction was as wrong, as it was biased in favor of Tehran.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. July 31, 2024 Vice President Kamala C. Harris The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Vice President Harris, We write to express concern about your national security advisor Mr. Philip Gordon’s connections to Ms. Ariane Tabatabai, a senior Department of Defense official who was reportedly involved in an Iranian government operation to expand Tehran’s soft power in the United States. During negotiations over the failed Iran nuclear deal, Ms. Tabatabai reportedly was a founding member of the Iran Experts Initiative (IEI), a group of policy analysts in America led by senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials to propagate Iran’s objectives during the nuclear deal negotiations and bolster Tehran’s reputation. Before joining your office, Mr. Gordon co-authored at least three opinion pieces with Ms. Tabatabai blatantly promoting the Iranian regime’s perspective and interests. In a March 2020 piece, Mr. Gordon and Ms. Tabatabai claimed continued sanctions on Iran would create “catastrophe” in the Middle East. In another, they wrote sanctions could lead to new Iranian efforts to “lash out with attacks on its neighbors, and on Americans and American interests in the Middle East.” Each prediction was as wrong, as it was biased in favor of Tehran. Mr. Gordon was also closely associated with the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), another Iranian influence organization that allegedly collaborates with Tehran. He spoke at the NIAC’s Leadership Conference in both 2014 and 2016. The Biden-Harris Administration is no stranger to Iran accommodators, appeasers, and accomplices. Ms. Tabatabai remains gainfully employed in the Defense Department, helping oversee sensitive special operations. The FBI is investigating your former Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley for passing classified intelligence to Tehran and your Special Envoy Amos Hochstein allegedly passed intelligence about Israeli airstrikes to Hezbollah potentially as recently as this weekend. We request you provide answers to the following questions no later than August 9, 2024: When you hired Mr. Gordon, were you aware of his connections with Ariane Tabatabai, the IEI, and the NIAC? Did Mr. Gordon undergo security screening and receive a security clearance when you hired him? Does he have an active security clearance? Did you request further investigation into Mr. Gordon when Ms. Tabatabai’s connections to the Iranian Foreign Ministry were revealed in September 2023? Did Mr. Gordon admit and report his ties to this individual? Have you or Mr. Gordon met with other members of the IEI, including Ali Vaez? Have you met with Ms. Tabatabai personally? As the Vice President do you support Ms. Tabatabai’s continued employment at the Department of Defense? As the Vice President what specific actions will you take to address the issue of Iranian sympathizers, aside from yourself, within the Administration? Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D1EF6D81-5088-4A82-9E72-5AA8F5F93E55,Boozman Helps Preserve Memories of Arkansas Veterans in Library of Congress Collection,2024-07-30,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a champion of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP), presented interviews with Arkansans for preservation in the national collection. The new submissions mark more than 100 interviews conducted by Boozman’s office. “The Veterans History Project is a unique collection of personal reflections that teaches our nation’s history from the perspective of those who have stood in defense of our freedoms. It also represents an opportunity for families to learn more about the selflessness of their loved ones, which is something I personally understand as the son of veteran of WWII who served in the Air Force for 23 years yet didn’t share much about his experiences in the military. This initiative preserves these patriotic Americans’ legacies so they live on for future generations. I’m honored to be part of this rewarding endeavor, ” Boozman said. The senator submitted seven interviews conducted by his staff with veterans of the Cold War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and War on Terror. In 2000, Congress established the VHP to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans. Boozman’s staff has conducted dozens of interviews and trained more than 1,200 Arkansans to participate and raise awareness about this initiative. The senator regularly highlights the conversations in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series highlighting memories of their time in uniform.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B0800774-4F81-4677-B9C3-EE3FCEA230CC,"Boozman, Brown, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect and Fully Fund Veterans Care, Earned Benefits",2024-07-29,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jon Tester (D-MT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), introduced new legislation to protect veterans’ earned benefits and ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is able to continue to pay disability compensation, pension and education benefits to veterans. This year, the VA has served more veterans than ever before and provided more care and benefits to veterans exposed to toxins during their time in the military after implementing the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The legislation, which was signed into law in 2022, provided a record expansion of care and benefits for veterans. As a result, more veterans are filing claims and receiving long overdue earned benefits, including disability compensation and GI Bill benefits. Without additional funding to mirror the increased number of claims received, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is at risk of leaving 7 million veterans and survivors without access to this support. Delaying this funding could postpone benefit payments from reaching veterans, caregivers and survivors, requiring tough spending choices at the beginning of October to avoid overdraft fees or the potential of services being shut off. “The PACT Act is a landmark law that is providing generations of veterans the services and support they are owed after serving our nation in uniform. In Arkansas and across our country, these heroic men and women must not suffer because of a potential shortfall in funding. I am proud to work in a bipartisan fashion to make certain that does not happen and help the VA accurately account for the resources it needs to carry out this vital mission,” Boozman said. “We fought to make the PACT Act law to expand the care and benefits millions of veterans earned when they served our country, and because of it more veterans than ever are getting the care they deserve. We must ensure VA can continue to implement the PACT Act – we can’t deny the brave veterans who sacrificed to protect our country the benefits they earned, because VA doesn’t have the resources,” said Brown. “We have an obligation to ensure veterans, their eligible family members, and survivors receive the VA benefits they have earned. Congress must do everything in its power to fulfill the nation’s obligation to them. The Veterans Supplemental Appropriations Act ensures VA has the necessary funds so that those who have borne the battle will continue to receive their VA benefits on time,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Recently, VA announced a budget shortfall that may have delayed the timely delivery of benefits to people nationwide. Veterans, family members, and caregivers have earned VA benefits through service. We are frustrated to hear VA may not have properly accounted for certain benefits through the end of the fiscal year. Each year Congress has provided VA with the resources it requested for veterans’ care and benefits. It is disappointing to learn VA has not requested enough money to properly fund VA care and benefits. We are grateful however that a bipartisan group of Senators led by Senators Brown, Murray, Tester, Sinema, Collins, Moran, and Boozman have stepped up to rectify this funding gap. The VFW commends these lawmakers for continuing to support veterans, families, and caregivers when needed,” said VFW National Legislative Director Pat Murray. “DAV strongly supports the Veterans Supplemental Appropriations Act to ensure that VA has sufficient funding so that no veteran will have their benefits delayed this fall. We thank all the bipartisan Senate sponsors who worked together to bring this legislation forward so quickly and call on all members of the Senate and the House to support this urgent legislation,” said Randy Reese, DAV Washington Executive Director. “Veterans should never have their financial security put at risk by late payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs for benefits they have earned. Wounded Warrior Project is proud to support the Veterans Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 to ensure that the Veterans Benefits Administration has the resources it needs to meet its obligations to veterans while leaders in Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs sort out the issues that underlie last week's budget shortfall announcement,” said Jose Ramos, Wounded Warrior Project Vice President for Government & Community Relations. “Guaranteed delivery of the benefits our veterans and surviving family members earned through their sacrifices is something they should never have to doubt. Honoring their service is one of the most sacred duties we have as a nation. MOAA thanks Senators Brown, Murray, Collins, Tester, Boozman, Sinema, and Moran for taking swift action in response to VA's request,” said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret.), President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America. Earlier this year, the VA announced it had already delivered over 11,000 PACT-Act related disability compensation claims to veterans and survivors across Arkansas. Additionally, more than 5,000 Natural State veterans had signed up for VA health care since the Department began implementing the law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=40DC745D-A98E-49EB-9690-A80AA8FB1481,Boozman Named ‘Hero of Main Street’ by National Retail Federation,2024-07-25,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation has named U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) a 2024 “Hero of Main Street” for his work to advance public policy that supports a vibrant and healthy retail sector. “Retail is a key part of our economy and it is important to create an environment where it can thrive so consumers benefit while jobs are created and maintained in local communities. I’m honored to be recognized for my work to bolster this critical industry and will continue to back the commonsense, pro-growth policies that boost businesses and support employment,” Boozman said. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, driving the U.S. economy and creating jobs in communities throughout the country. Retail establishments are responsible for employing over 200,000 Arkansans and contributing more than $17.4 billion in economic activity. “The retail industry directly impacts every congressional district in the United States, providing goods, services and American jobs,” NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French said. “NRF is honored to recognize Sen. John Boozman as a ‘Hero of Main Street’ for his continued support of the retail industry through legislative action and leadership.” NRF honored 265 members of the House and Senate as “Heroes of Main Street” during the 2024 Retail Advocates Summit, the retail industry’s premier advocacy event in Washington, DC. The “Hero of Main Street” award was created by NRF in 2013 to recognize a bipartisan group of lawmakers for their support of the retail industry’s public policy priorities. Award eligibility is based on key votes, bill sponsorship and advocacy to advance the industry’s priorities. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=87B6EB09-6A9F-4F6B-A390-B19104970D5C,"Boozman, Cotton to Commerce Secretary: Granting Communist Vietnam “Market Economy” Status Would Destroy American Jobs and Industries",2024-07-25,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –– Arkansas U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton sent a letter Wednesday to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo urging her not to grant market economy status to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in order to safeguard American industries and national interests. Citing Vietnam's controlled currency, lack of labor rights and extensive state intervention, the senators contend granting Vietnam market economy status would devastate U.S. industries already damaged by Vietnam's unfair trade practices, outsourcing American jobs and hurting American workers. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Katie Britt (R-AL) also signed the letter. “As your department has been made amply aware by numerous domestic industry submissions, graduating Vietnam to market economy status would deprive American industries and workers across the country of the necessary tools to defend themselves against such unfair trade. For the past two decades, Vietnam’s aggressive pricing practices have injured domestic producers. A premature decision to graduate Vietnam could cripple these producers, damage secure and critical supply chains, and eliminate good jobs in our country’s most vulnerable regions,” the senators wrote. Full text of the letter is here and below. Dear Secretary Raimondo, We write to express our ongoing concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce’s review of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s non-market economy (NME) status. With your department’s determination deadline fast approaching, we must reiterate why a decision to graduate Vietnam to market economy status would undermine our national interest. Your department is required by statute to conduct a rigorous inspection of Vietnam and its economy to determine whether Vietnam can graduate to market economy status. In this case, it is obvious that Vietnam does not have a market economy. Vietnam’s currency is not freely convertible. It does not protect free bargaining between labor and management. Its government retains substantial control over prices and production through state-owned or heavily subsidized enterprises—so much so that even in the course of this review, your own department has initiated numerous antidumping and countervailing duty investigations against Vietnam in recognition of these distortions. There is no doubt that the country’s nonmarket economic practices already violate fair competition and lawful trade. As your department has been made amply aware by numerous domestic industry submissions, graduating Vietnam to market economy status would deprive American industries and workers across the country of the necessary tools to defend themselves against such unfair trade. For the past two decades, Vietnam’s aggressive pricing practices have injured domestic producers. A premature decision to graduate Vietnam could cripple these producers, damage secure and critical supply chains, and eliminate good jobs in our country’s most vulnerable regions. Vietnam has been a communist country since 1975 and the Department of Commerce officially designated Vietnam as a non-market economy in 2002. In the years that have followed, the Vietnamese government has had every opportunity to pursue real internal reforms to earn a market economy designation. Instead, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is tightening its control over the country. For example, the CPV’s Politburo issued a government-wide order last year, Directive 24, to target and eliminate “hostile” foreign forces and influence within the country that threaten to undermine the CPV’s rule. According to reports, Directive 24 “frames all forms of international cooperation and commerce as threats to national security and articulates a disturbing plan to deal with these perceived threats.” In order to eliminate “hostile” forces, Directive 24 increases the CPV’s authority over every level of the government, the broader economy, and the country’s population. The Directive further augments the CPV’s authority to restrict and punish civil society groups and trade unions, control foreign organizations, censor and eliminate dissent, and control Vietnamese nationals traveling abroad. These are not the actions of a nation that is opening up its economic or political system. This administration may nevertheless believe that granting market economy status, despite the overwhelming evidence, would advance American interests by drawing Vietnam out of China’s sphere of influence and into ours. However, there is no evidence that Vietnam will change its diplomatic or military policies regarding China in exchange for greater market access. Vietnam already enjoys a goods trade surplus of over $100 billion a year with the United States, yet continues to forge closer relations with the People’s Republic of China. In fact, granting Vietnam market economy status may only incentivize greater China-Vietnam cooperation, as Beijing could seek to increase transshipment through Vietnam and relocate its companies to Vietnam in order to exploit such preferential status. There is no diplomatic or military justification for undermining the American economy in this way. The U.S. Department of Commerce has a mandate to advance and promote America’s interests, not to undermine our industries in pursuit of a misguided geopolitical strategy. We urge you to honor this mandate and continue to treat Vietnam as a non-market economy. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-scott-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-sanction-palestinian-leadership-and-institutions-that-reward-terrorism,"Cotton, Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Palestinian Leadership and Institutions That Reward Terrorism",2024-07-25,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 25, 2024 Cotton, Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Palestinian Leadership and Institutions That Reward Terrorism Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) today introduced the PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act, legislation that would impose sanctions on foreign persons and entities that provide payments to Palestinian terrorists and the families of terrorists as part of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority’s (PA) system of terror compensation. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) are cosponsoring the legislation. Congressmen Mike Lawler (New York-17) and Doug Lamborn (Colorado-05) are introducing bipartisan companion legislation in the House with 27 cosponsors. “The Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization continue to support terrorism against Israel by providing hundreds of millions of dollars per year in their reprehensible ‘pay-for-slay’ program. Anti-Semitic Palestinian terrorists know they can expect payment as a reward for killing Israelis and Americans–with thousands of Palestinian terrorists tied to October 7 eligible for these terror payments. Our bill will ensure that the PA, PLO and their institutions that reward acts of terrorism are punished,” said Senator Cotton. “For years, the Palestinian Authority has incentivized brutal attacks against Israelis—and even American citizens—through its horrific 'pay for slay' policies. Strong words and failed negotiations aren’t enough to stop these acts of terror. We need to actually use the authorities at our disposal to impose real economic pain against those who support and facilitate so-called 'martyr payments,' and I am proud to partner with Senator Cotton and our Republican colleagues to do just that,” said Senator Scott. Text of the bill may be found here. The PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act would impose sanctions on: Foreign persons who serve as an employee of the PLO and PA that has facilitated the payments, provided payments themselves, or knowingly provided significant financial, technological, or material support and resources as part of the PLO and PA’s system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism. Entities that facilitate the PLO and PA system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism including the Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners, the Institute for the Care of the Families of the Martyrs and the Wounded, the Palestine National Fund, and National Association of the Families of the Martyrs of Palestine. Foreign financial institutions that participate in a financial transaction that is part of the PLO and PA’s system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-sanction-non-citizens-convicted-of-crimeswhile-protesting,"Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Non-Citizens Convicted of Crimes While Protesting",2024-07-24,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 24, 2024 Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Non-Citizens Convicted of Crimes While Protesting Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the No Visas for Violent Criminals Act, legislation that would terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of a criminal offense during a protest. Senators Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) are cosponsoring the legislation. Congressman Jim Banks (Indiana-03) is leading companion legislation in the House. “The Biden administration’s inaction against pro-Hamas mobs has only emboldened these extremists. Our legislation makes clear that a green card does not give individuals the right to break our laws in support of anti-Semitic views,” said Senator Cotton. “For months, pro-Hamas rioters have terrorized communities across the U.S. without consequence. Foreigners who come here to spread antisemitism, block highways, and deface statues and other public property must be deported immediately. Senator Cotton’s and my bill would do exactly that,” said Congressman Banks. Text of the bill may be found here. The No Visas for Violent Criminals Act would immediately terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of: Any offense involving the obstruction of highways, roads, bridges, or tunnels. Any offense related to the individual’s conduct at and during the course of a protest that takes place at an institution of higher education or religious institution in the United States. Any offense involving the defacement or destruction of federal property (including but not limited to monuments and memorials). This also applies to any aggravated felony (as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (43)). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-raimondo-granting-communist-vietnam-market-economy-status-would-destroy-american-jobs-and-industries,"Cotton, Colleagues to Raimondo: Granting Communist Vietnam “Market Economy” Status Would Destroy American Jobs and Industries",2024-07-24,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 24, 2024 Cotton, Colleagues to Raimondo: Granting Communist Vietnam “Market Economy” Status Would Destroy American Jobs and Industries Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, urging her not to grant market economy status to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and to safeguard American industries and national interests. Citing Vietnam's controlled currency, lack of labor rights, and extensive state intervention, granting Vietnam market economy status would devastate U.S. industries already damaged by Vietnam's unfair trade practices. Such an agreement would outsource American jobs and hurt American workers. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) co-signed the letter. In part, the senators wrote: “As your department has been made amply aware by numerous domestic industry submissions, graduating Vietnam to market economy status would deprive American industries and workers across the country of the necessary tools to defend themselves against such unfair trade. For the past two decades, Vietnam’s aggressive pricing practices have injured domestic producers. A premature decision to graduate Vietnam could cripple these producers, damage secure and critical supply chains, and eliminate good jobs in our country’s most vulnerable regions.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. July 24, 2024 The Honorable Gina Raimondo U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20230 Dear Secretary Raimondo, We write to express our ongoing concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce’s review of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s non-market economy (NME) status. With your department’s determination deadline fast approaching, we must reiterate why a decision to graduate Vietnam to market economy status would undermine our national interest. Your department is required by statute to conduct a rigorous inspection of Vietnam and its economy to determine whether Vietnam can graduate to market economy status. In this case, it is obvious that Vietnam does not have a market economy. Vietnam’s currency is not freely convertible. It does not protect free bargaining between labor and management. Its government retains substantial control over prices and production through state-owned or heavily subsidized enterprises—so much so that even in the course of this review, your own department has initiated numerous antidumping and countervailing duty investigations against Vietnam in recognition of these distortions. There is no doubt that the country’s nonmarket economic practices already violate fair competition and lawful trade. As your department has been made amply aware by numerous domestic industry submissions, graduating Vietnam to market economy status would deprive American industries and workers across the country of the necessary tools to defend themselves against such unfair trade. For the past two decades, Vietnam’s aggressive pricing practices have injured domestic producers. A premature decision to graduate Vietnam could cripple these producers, damage secure and critical supply chains, and eliminate good jobs in our country’s most vulnerable regions. Vietnam has been a communist country since 1975 and the Department of Commerce officially designated Vietnam as a non-market economy in 2002. In the years that have followed, the Vietnamese government has had every opportunity to pursue real internal reforms to earn a market economy designation. Instead, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is tightening its control over the country. For example, the CPV’s Politburo issued a government-wide order last year, Directive 24, to target and eliminate “hostile” foreign forces and influence within the country that threaten to undermine the CPV’s rule. According to reports, Directive 24 “frames all forms of international cooperation and commerce as threats to national security and articulates a disturbing plan to deal with these perceived threats.” In order to eliminate “hostile” forces, Directive 24 increases the CPV’s authority over every level of the government, the broader economy, and the country’s population. The Directive further augments the CPV’s authority to restrict and punish civil society groups and trade unions, control foreign organizations, censor and eliminate dissent, and control Vietnamese nationals traveling abroad. These are not the actions of a nation that is opening up its economic or political system. This administration may nevertheless believe that granting market economy status, despite the overwhelming evidence, would advance American interests by drawing Vietnam out of China’s sphere of influence and into ours. However, there is no evidence that Vietnam will change its diplomatic or military policies regarding China in exchange for greater market access. Vietnam already enjoys a goods trade surplus of over $100 billion a year with the United States, yet continues to forge closer relations with the People’s Republic of China. In fact, granting Vietnam market economy status may only incentivize greater China-Vietnam cooperation, as Beijing could seek to increase transshipment through Vietnam and relocate its companies to Vietnam in order to exploit such preferential status. There is no diplomatic or military justification for undermining the American economy in this way. The U.S. Department of Commerce has a mandate to advance and promote America’s interests, not to undermine our industries in pursuit of a misguided geopolitical strategy. We urge you to honor this mandate and continue to treat Vietnam as a non-market economy. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, ­­ Tom Cotton United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4E407E7B-4DA2-4C1D-A656-D59A13FA3577,"Boozman, Moran, Lankford, Blackburn, Cramer & Braun Urge VA to Protect VA Home Loans from Costly Energy Conservation Standards",2024-07-17,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mike Braun (R-IN) to raise concerns to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough about how recently adopted Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) energy conservation policies could impact the cost of VA home loans for veterans. On April 26, HUD and USDA announced they would be implementing the 2021 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as the minimum energy efficiency standards for the financing of new single and multifamily homes. “If adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, we are concerned that the revised standards could negatively affect the availability, affordability, and competitiveness of VA home loans for veterans,” wrote the senators. “Declining to finance any loans for new homes that do not meet these increased requirements, the agencies put accessible homeownership in jeopardy for thousands of veterans. Both rental and housing costs have risen at the fastest rates in decades, and any proposals that raise the cost of home building must be meticulously examined.” “NAHB commends Sen. Moran for urging the VA Secretary to produce the department’s own analysis on how the 2021 IECC would affect housing affordability and the ability of veterans to obtain VA home loans,” said National Association of Home Builders Chairman Carl Harris. “Studies have shown that requiring new construction to adopt to the 2021 IECC can add as much as $31,000 to the price of a new home and that it would require up to 90 years for a home buyer to realize a payback on the added upfront cost of the home. Sen. Moran and the nation’s home builders are concerned that if VA were to adopt the 2021 IECC, it would prevent many of our nation’s veterans from purchasing a new home using a VA home loan.” The full text of the letter can be found below. Dear Secretary McDonough, We write to raise significant concerns about the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) and Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recently adopted revised energy standards for newly constructed homes insured or guaranteed by their respective Departments. We are particularly concerned with the impact of the agencies’ final determination, implementing the 2021 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), on veteran homebuyers. By only financing new homes if they are built to the 2021 IECC standards, HUD and USDA describe the potential for a market where “new construction for Federal Housing Administration borrowers would decline.” If adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), we are concerned that the revised standards could negatively affect the availability, affordability, and competitiveness of VA home loans for veterans. Recent estimates indicate that even a one thousand dollar increase in home prices would price over one hundred thousand Americans out of the housing market. As mortgage rates hover around seven percent, the revised standards could lead prospective homeowners to pay tens of thousands of dollars more over the course of a 30-year mortgage. Included in the Regulatory Impact Analysis, HUD and USDA rightly recognize that “lower-income households are less willing than higher-income ones to accept longer payback periods for energy-efficient investments.” Declining to finance any loans for new homes that do not meet these increased requirements, the agencies put accessible homeownership in jeopardy for thousands of veterans. Both rental and housing costs have risen at the fastest rates in decades, and any proposals that raise the cost of home building must be meticulously examined. Additionally, it is our duty to ensure that veterans have robust access to VA-financed home loans. In turn, we respectfully call your attention to a directive included in the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee Report on the revised energy standards and look forward to VA’s evaluation of how adoption would impact costs for veteran homebuyers, including the availability, affordability, and competitiveness of VA home loans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D7024025-80A7-4EE6-8EBA-5F25F0E44F2B,Boozman Recognizes Military Service of Late Bella Vista Veteran,2024-07-16,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of the late Marvin Trigg in ‘Salute to Veterans,’ a series recognizing the military service of Arkansans. Trigg grew up on his family’s farm in rural Missouri. He was put to work at an early age milking cows and using a two man crosscut saw to harvest wood. “I helped my dad because we heated with wood, I many times went out with him,” Trigg recalled. “I’d be on one end and he’d be on the other.” Trigg said he walked to school until high school when he was bussed to school. He had to make sure he was finished milking the cow before the bus came. Trigg enlisted in the Army in 1955 when he was 21 years old. “They sent me to Fort Eustice, Virginia,” Trigg said. “Flew me out there and then decided they didn’t have anything for me so they put me on a pullman car to send me back.” His family was supportive of his decision to enlist. “They thought it was a good idea.” He was first stationed at Fort Chaffee. Trigg served as an aircraft maintenance crewman. In addition, he said one of his responsibilities included mowing the grass at Fort Knox. Once he finished his military commitment he used his GI Bill benefits to attend aviation school and earned his pilot’s license. He worked for a local company in his hometown flying across Missouri transporting canned goods. Trigg said his favorite part of military service was seeing different parts of the country. “I am grateful for Marvin Trigg’s dedication and service to our nation. His memories of his military service are an important part of our history, and I am pleased to be able to collect and preserve his stories for future generations,” Boozman said. Sadly, Trigg passed away December 20, 2023, but his interview will be submitted to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans. Do you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the ‘Salute to Veterans’ series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=39DD552B-60B4-4D60-BFCD-A0AE127AF372,Arkansas Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Increase in Federal Cost Share for May Storm Damage,2024-07-12,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON— U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Steve Womack, Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman—wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a 30-day, 100 percent federal cost share for counties affected by severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in May. “Local officials of impacted jurisdictions have stated that significantly more resources and assistance is needed in order to restore these communities than preliminary damage assessments reported. Increasing the federal cost share to 100 percent from 75 percent will relieve the financial burden of recovery for these struggling communities and help them rebuild,” members wrote. The letter can be found here and below: Dear Mr. President: Thank you for the expedited Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of the devastating tornadoes and severe storms that caused widespread destruction and extensive damage in Arkansas. The State of Arkansas greatly appreciates your assistance and support to date. On behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to increase the federal cost share for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Categories A (Debris) and B (Emergency Protective Measures) up to 100 percent for the first thirty days. We firmly believe that an increase in the federal cost share is needed to effectively respond to a disaster of this magnitude. The severity of the storms that occurred May 24-27, 2024, created disastrous amounts of debris, severe infrastructure damage, and resulted in the deaths of at least nine Arkansans and injured countless others. Local officials of impacted jurisdictions have stated that significantly more resources and assistance is needed in order to restore these communities than preliminary damage assessments reported. Increasing the federal cost share to 100 percent from 75 percent will relieve the financial burden of recovery for these struggling communities and help them rebuild. As you know, Governor Sanders has activated all emergency resources, and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management has coordinated with all appropriate state and federal agencies. While we are grateful for the support provided by our local first responders, county and state emergency management agencies, FEMA, and the White House, additional federal assistance will be vital in our restoration efforts. The entire Arkansas delegation respectfully requests your swift consideration and approval of this request to ensure Arkansans’ safety and recovery efforts. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-garland-terminate-doj-official-who-committed-perjury,"Cotton, Colleagues to Garland: Terminate DOJ Official Who Committed Perjury",2024-07-12,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 12, 2024 Cotton, Colleagues to Garland: Terminate DOJ Official Who Committed Perjury Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) led nine of his Senate Judiciary Committee colleagues today in sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging him to terminate Kristen Clarke, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The senators detailed how Ms. Clarke committed perjury during the nomination process for her current role by lying to Congress. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) co-signed the letter. In part, the senators wrote: “During her nomination to her current role, Ms. Clarke was asked if she had ‘ever been arrested for or accused of committing a violent crime against any person.’ Ms. Clarke was unequivocal, responding under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee, ‘No.’ That was a lie. Ms. Clarke has now admitted that she was arrested in 2006 for attacking and injuring someone with a knife. It has also recently come to light that, shortly before the full Senate voted on her nomination, Ms. Clarke and her publicist contacted the man she attacked in an attempt to cover up her false testimony.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. July 12, 2024 The Honorable Merrick Garland U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 Dear Attorney General Garland, I write regarding an act of perjury committed by Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. I call for Ms. Clarke’s immediate termination and removal from office. During her nomination to her current role, Ms. Clarke was asked if she had “ever been arrested for or accused of committing a violent crime against any person.” Ms. Clarke was unequivocal, responding under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee, “No.” That was a lie. Ms. Clarke has now admitted that she was arrested in 2006 for attacking and injuring someone with a knife. It has also recently come to light that, shortly before the full Senate voted on her nomination, Ms. Clarke and her publicist contacted the man she attacked in an attempt to cover up her false testimony. Lying to Congress under oath is a felony. The last time you were before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you said, “The integrity of our legal system is premised on adherence to the rule of law. In order to have confidence in our Department and in our democracy, the American people must be able to trust that we will adhere to the rule of law in everything that we do.” Ms. Clarke does not meet this standard and must be immediately terminated. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E9B8186C-A519-4C39-ACE8-F76AD12B8C29,Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Boozman-Led Bill Funding Military Infrastructure and Veterans Care,2024-07-11,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced legislation crafted by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, that delivers $128.5 million to Arkansas for the future pilot training center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in addition to making significant investments to improve servicemembers and their families’ quality of life and robustly fund veterans’ health care and benefits. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. “Providing the resources our servicemembers and their families deserve and supporting our veterans by funding the medical treatment and benefits they have earned must always be a top priority for Congress. I’m pleased our bipartisan bill accomplishes both and includes another vital investment to ensure Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas stays on track to successfully train allies on the F-35 aircraft. Passage of this measure represents our strong, shared commitment to those defending our nation today and in previous generations,” Boozman said. Funding Boozman secured for Arkansas includes $128.5 million to support the foreign pilot training mission at Ebbing through construction of an Academic Training Center as well as other projects. This legislation also includes key investments in military housing; veteran suicide prevention, telehealth, mental health and homelessness programs; women veterans care as well as innovative medical research. The bill additionally allocates full funding for the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Arlington National Cemetery and the Armed Forces Retirement Home.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-biden-administration-protect-americans-data-from-shein,Cotton Demands Biden Administration Protect Americans’ Data From Shein,2024-07-11,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 11, 2024 Cotton Demands Biden Administration Protect Americans’ Data From Shein Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) yesterday sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to take action against Shein, a Chinese fashion retailer that has ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Senator Cotton requested the Biden administration provide a plan to protect Americans’ data from Shein and identify whether Shein is complying with U.S. laws. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “As a large fashion retailer, Shien has access to a vast array of customer and supply chain data. And as a Chinese company, Shien is subject to national security laws that requires compliance with any request from the CCP to access that data. Allowing Shein to promulgate its technology within the U.S. will increase the risk that the CCP will gather data from U.S. businesses and use it for nefarious purposes.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. July 10, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: I write to urge your administration to take action to prevent the Chinese company Shein from selling potentially fraudulent supply-chain technology to U.S. companies. Your administration must ensure that data from U.S. companies is not harvested by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through the purchase of Shein software and technology. As a large fashion retailer, Shien has access to a vast array of customer and supply chain data. And as a Chinese company, Shien is subject to national security laws that requires compliance with any request from the CCP to access that data. Allowing Shein to promulgate its technology within the U.S. will increase the risk that the CCP will gather data from U.S. businesses and use it for nefarious purposes. While Shein moved its headquarters to Singapore and claims to store U.S. data in the U.S., it is still owned by the Chinese. As we’ve seen with companies such as LOGINK in U.S. ports and TikTok, any amount of CCP access to U.S. data poses a national security risk. The spread of Shein’s supply-chain technology could provide the CCP with a vast trove of data about global and U.S. supply chains, as well as with details about U.S. citizens. The CCP would almost certainly use that data to subvert U.S. interests. This is unacceptable. Please provide the following information no later than August 1, 2024: Is your administration tracking the possible sale of Shein supply chain software to U.S. companies? Have you taken steps to warn U.S. companies of the possible danger? Has your administration identified any instances of the CCP viewing or utilizing data gathered by Shein? Are Shein operations in the United States in compliance with all relevant data protection laws, regulations, and standards? Please provide details on their level of compliance. Has your administration evaluated the possible national security risk posed by the spread of Shein’s supply chain technology? If so, please provide details. If not, why? Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, _________________ Tom Cotton United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-legislation-introduced-study-impact-cell-phones-schools,BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO STUDY IMPACT OF CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS,2024-07-10,2024,2024-07,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), David Trone (MD-06), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), and Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced the Focus on Learning Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to complete a study on the effects of cell phone use in K-12 classrooms and its impact on students’ mental health and academic performance. “Any parent, teacher, or administrator can tell you that cell phones are the leading distraction and source of anxiety for students in school. Our Focus on Learning Act is a bipartisan solution to bridge the gap in data of the real-time effects of cell phone usage in schools so we can support local communities in alleviating those distractions and cultivating the best possible learning environment for our students,” said Congressman Westerman. “I’m proud to lead this bicameral effort with my friend and fellow Arkansan, Senator Cotton, and I look forward to continued collaboration on this important issue.” “Prioritizing student mental health is how we ensure young folks receive the best education possible. The Focus on Learning Act aims to do just that by conducting a study on cell phone use in schools,” said Congressman Trone. “By limiting cell phones in schools, we could also limit one of the main causes of stress and anxiety for students. In Congress, I’ll always work to ensure young people are set up for success.” “It is critical to the development of our children that we understand the impact that cellphones have on their mental health and academic performance,” said Congressman LaTurner. “The Focus on Learning Act will help ensure that schools are free of distractions that may hinder a student’s education.” ""As a Dad, I’m concerned about the impact of cell phone use on our kids' mental health and academic success,"" said Congressman Crow. ""Proud to lead the Focus on Learning Act with Rep. Westerman to research the effects of increased phone use and give our kids the best opportunity to succeed.” BACKGROUND: Since 2012, test scores have steeply declined nationwide, presumably correlated with the increased presence of cell phones in schools. Recent studies show that three-quarters of U.S. teens feel more happy/peaceful when they are away from their phones. As research is being conducted in scholarly settings, there’s a gap in data on the real-time effects of cell phone usage in classrooms and its impact on the learning and mental health of students. FOCUS ON LEARNING SUMMARY: Requires the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to complete a study on the effects of cell phone use in K-12 classrooms on students’ mental health and academic performance. Authorizes $5 million annually for the next five years for a pilot program that provides students with secure containers to store cell phones during school hours. The pilot program will allow exceptions for students with health conditions, disabilities, and non-English speakers. Participating schools will have a communication system in place to allow teachers, students, and administrators to communicate with local emergency responders in case of an emergency. U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) are cosponsors of the Senate companion Focus on Learning Act.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9325C259-E509-49B1-B17A-4C95F3A5E7D5,Boozman Opening Statement at Hearing of Oversight of Digital Commodities,2024-07-10,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, released the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the hearing to conduct oversight of digital commodities. Thank you, Madame Chair. Welcome to my colleagues and, again, thank you for calling today’s hearing on the current state of digital commodities. I would also like to welcome Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman [Rostin] Behnam. We appreciate your hard work and as the Chair said, you certainly are not a stranger to this committee. We appreciate your willingness to come over and visit us as we request. As the Ranking Member of this committee, I have consistently said in the past that I believe the CFTC is the right agency to regulate spot digital commodities. I still believe that to be true. The CFTC’ s principle-based approach has proven to effectively protect consumers in the derivatives market, and I believe with the appropriate authorities this same approach will protect consumers in the digital commodities space. At the same time, as policymakers we must also protect innovation and provide the regulatory certainty businesses need to maintain their operations in the United States. The Chair has been drafting legislation that would give the CFTC the authority to regulate spot digital commodity trading. We have had many, many conversations and my staff have been working closely with hers on her proposal for the last several weeks. I am committed to continue to work in good faith on legislation to give the CFTC the authorities it needs. Digital commodities and the regulatory issues they raise are complex and not well understood. I believe as a committee we have a responsibility to help educate our colleagues and the public on these issues and I would like to see us do more to better understand what policies are needed and why. Hopefully today’s hearing will begin to fill that gap. Additionally, as we proceed as a committee, it is vital that we limit our policy proposals to the agencies that we have jurisdiction over—in this case the CFTC. We do not have authority over the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve. The oversight of those agencies is clearly outside the jurisdiction of this committee. Any legislation reported out of this committee should not direct or require anything of agencies not under our authority. Finally, I believe that we must have broad support within the community we wish to regulate if we ultimately want to protect consumers and innovation. I and my staff have had numerous meetings with those who would be covered by the proposed legislation. The frank and honest feedback we have received from these discussions does not lead me to believe the necessary level of support for this proposal to be successful currently exists among stakeholders – and people are working very hard to try and rectify that. Again, I am committed to working with the Chairwoman on her proposal to regulate digital commodities. Today’s hearing is a good start. I look forward to hearing the thoughts of Chairman Behnam and the questions posed by our colleagues.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-banks-biden-administration-rule-discriminates-against-faith-based-foster-organizations,"Cotton, Banks: Biden Administration Rule Discriminates Against Faith-Based Foster Organizations",2024-07-10,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 10, 2024 Cotton, Banks: Biden Administration Rule Discriminates Against Faith-Based Foster Organizations Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced a resolution to remove a Health and Human Services (HHS) Department rule that would make it harder for faith-based organizations and families to provide homes for foster children. HHS finalized its rule in April. Congressman Jim Banks (Indiana-03) introduced the resolution in the House. “Faith-based groups lead the effort in Arkansas to provide safe foster homes. The Biden administration’s rule will only hurt children that need a home and the religious organizations that provide this incredibly important work,” said Senator Cotton. “Despite a nationwide shortage of foster families, the Biden administration’s rule discards well-established, faith-based care providers as second-class placement services, forcing states to invest time and resources into recruiting so-called gender-affirming providers. This is an attack on religious liberty and common sense, and worst of all, it is the children in need of a safe and loving home who will suffer most from this administration’s radical agenda,” said Congressman Banks. Text of the resolution may be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-legislation-to-mandate-review-of-cases-that-used-chevron-as-basis,Cotton Introduces Legislation to Mandate Review of Cases That Used Chevron as Basis,2024-07-09,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 July 9, 2024 Cotton Introduces Legislation to Mandate Review of Cases That Used Chevron as Basis Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Bureaucratic Overreach Review Act. The legislation would review federal court decisions on laws, regulations, and legal cases that used the recently overturned Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. case as the basis for their decisions. The bill would also direct federal agencies to review litigation where the agency relied upon Chevron to support its interpretation of a regulation or law. “Overturning Chevron was a victory for Americans and the Constitution. Congress should make laws, not unelected bureaucrats. My legislation will make sure the verdicts that used Chevron to justify government overreach are reviewed,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the bill may be found here. The Bureaucratic Overreach Review Act would: Require the Government Accountability Office to submit a report to Congress that identifies where the federal courts have relied upon Chevron to reach a decision in favor of deference. Require federal agencies to conduct a review of cases where the agency was a party and accorded Chevron deference. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:24:45Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=14D8D8C7-5880-4316-9B02-76FDBDF90EFF,"Boozman, Moran, Colleagues Call on VA to Correct Policies Impacting Veteran Access to Care",2024-07-02,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) in urging Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to quickly correct policy initiatives making it harder for veterans to receive care. In 2018, Congress passed the MISSION Act, which increased access to care for veterans by expanding their ability to be seen by health care providers in their communities. However, recent actions by VA leaders indicate the department may be limiting community care options for veterans. “Congress has never failed to provide VA with the resources required to fulfill its mission,” wrote the Senators. “If you believe that VA lacks the funding to provide the level of access to care that veterans deserve in VA and in the community, it is incumbent on you to reprioritize resources from non-patient care areas and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, not to unilaterally implement purported cost-savings measures that, even as an unintended consequence, decrease veteran choice and endanger veteran lives.” Boozman and Moran were joined on the letter by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Deb Fischer (R-NE), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Ted Budd (R-NC). Read the letter here and below. Dear Secretary McDonough, We write to you today to reaffirm veterans’ right to community care and to urge you to quickly correct policy initiatives that are endangering the lives of veterans. Ten years ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suffered through a nationwide access to care crisis. Six years ago, the enactment of the MISSION Act expanded the ability of veterans to seek care in the community. For countless veterans, the convenience, accessibility, and control that community care offers is life-saving. In the years since the MISSION Act was enacted, the VA healthcare system has seen significant increases in enrollment, utilization, and reliance, as well as improvements in key measures of quality and veteran trust. However, a recent shift in strategy at VA is jeopardizing these significant gains for our veterans. In January, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health, commissioned a panel (“Red Team”) to “assess the trends and drivers of increasing community care spending.” VA leaders – including yourself – addressed the Red Team and provided it with select data and briefings that contributed to the conclusion that frames community care as “a potential existential threat” to VA’s direct care system, rather than the vital lifeline it is for veterans and for VA. Among the Red Team’s recommendations are suggestions that VA save money by reducing community care referrals for veterans seeking emergency, oncology, and mental health care. Veterans in need of these services are among the most vulnerable and high-risk. It is unconscionable that VA would consider leaving them with fewer options to seek needed care. VA claims that the Red Team’s work was independent, and that their findings are still under consideration. However, a dramatic increase in the number of reports from veterans and their family members, as well as from whistleblowers working in VA medical facilities, about administrative practices suggest that VA is already operating in accordance with the Red Team’s recommendations. For example, in one recent case, VA cancelled the community care authorization of a veteran who had just two treatments left to complete a course of successful chemotherapy in his hometown. In another case, VA denied a veteran with a recurrence of cancer the opportunity to seek radiation and chemotherapy in the community, as he did during his previous cancer battle, following surgery that will leave him unable to communicate and without a means of transportation to-and-from his VA medical center. We are also hearing from a number of veterans who had been receiving non-narcotic pain relief treatments outside of VA medical facilities who are now having their community care authorizations revoked. This appears to stem from another Red Team recommendation. Many of the veterans in this situation who have contacted our offices for help have been offered few alternatives in place of community care other than VA-provided opioid prescriptions. In one case, an opioid prescription was the only alternate treatment VA offered a veteran recovering from an addiction. This is contrary not just to law, veteran preference, and best medical interest but also to VA’s Opioid Safety Initiative, which has a stated goal of decreasing opioid prescriptions among veterans and better utilizing non-narcotic methods of managing pain. In line with these examples from veterans, VA whistleblowers have disclosed the establishment of burdensome processes to have VA medical center leaders highly scrutinize community care referrals in an effort to recapture care in VA medical facilities. Given that the VA healthcare system recently initiated a strategic hiring pause and is actively working to reduce staff by 10,000 employees, we share the concern expressed by these whistleblowers about the impact that increased reliance on VA’s direct care system will have not just on wait times for veterans in need of care, but also on VA staff who are already being asked to do more with less. Independently, these policy goals are cause for concern. Together, they risk the welfare of veterans and VA’s workforce. We are also alarmed by the volume of concerns we are hearing from veterans and VA staff who attribute limitations on care in the community to a lack of funding for VA. You have assured us that VA has adequate funding and VA’s most recent budget submission, for the second fiscal year in a row, did not request additional funding over the advance appropriations VA received in the last budget cycle. Yet, veterans and VA staff continue to assert that they are unable to move forward with community care referrals because of alleged budget shortfalls. Congress has never failed to provide VA with the resources required to fulfill its mission. Furthermore, VA data shows that community care is more cost-effective than VA’s direct care system, with VA’s projections of global relative value units (RVUs) showing an average cost of just $58 per RVU in the community compared to $116 per RVU in the direct care system. Regardless, if you believe that VA lacks the funding to provide the level of access to care that veterans deserve, in VA and in the community, it is incumbent on you to reprioritize resources from non-patient care areas and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, not to unilaterally implement purported cost-savings measures that, even as an unintended consequence, decrease veteran choice and endanger veteran lives. Many of the veterans who have shared their complaints with our offices are willing to do whatever it takes to continue accessing care in their communities. This includes paying out of pocket, even if they are on limited incomes. The MISSION Act was designed, in part, to avoid this unacceptable outcome. VA must embrace both the spirit and letter of that transformational piece of legislation to ensure this does not continue. Doing anything less is detrimental to the progress VA has made through the MISSION Act and a personal affront to veterans across the country. For these reasons and more, we ask that you act without delay to refute the Red Team’s recommendations and issue guidance and retraining materials to all VA staff reaffirming veterans’ right to seek community care. Our nation’s veterans are waiting. Thank you for your attention to this matter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E991C10E-E7D2-415B-939C-B306CB25F119,Nashville Teen Serves as Senate Page,2024-07-01,2024,2024-07,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –– Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts student Katherine Quintanilla traded in the scenes of the Hot Springs campus for the opportunity to navigate the corridors of the U.S. Capitol as a Senate Page this summer. Quintanilla served as one of 52 Senate Pages who prepared the U.S. Senate chamber for the day’s business by distributing documents to senators’ desks, assisting in the cloakrooms, supporting chamber staff, and – when Congress was in session – sitting near the dais waiting to help members delivering remarks or casting votes. “It was an honor and privilege to have been able to work as a Senate Page for Senator Boozman and represent the state of Arkansas. Never in my life did I think I would be able to see the inner workings of our government and interact with senators. Being able to witness firsthand potential legislation on the Senate floor was incredible and working on Capitol Hill was the experience of a lifetime,” Quintanilla said. The 17-year-old rising senior originally from Nashville, Arkansas earned her appointment to the position from U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR). “Katherine did an excellent job supporting the day-to-day activity of the Senate and gained a rare perspective on the legislative process. I am hopeful this experience will inspire her to pursue a lifetime of civic engagement. Our entire state can be proud by her service and contributions to this prestigious program,” Boozman said. Quintanilla is an active member of the Future Business Leaders of America and participated in Arkansas Girls State earlier this summer. She also founded the Syrian Emergency Task Force club at her school, which advocates for an end to the civil war in Syria and collaborates with other chapters in the state to promote humanitarian assistance for victims. Katherine is the daughter of Carlos and Berta Quintanilla. The Senate Page program started in 1829 when Senator Daniel Webster appointed the first Senate Page. Today, the program is a unique, highly selective opportunity for high school juniors with a strong academic standing to learn firsthand about the institution often referred to as “the world’s greatest deliberative body.” Senate Page Katherine Quintanilla and Senator John Boozman",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:32:29Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-scotus-decision-in-trump-v-united-states,Rep. Crawford Statement on SCOTUS Decision in Trump v. United States,2024-07-01,2024,2024-07,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Rep. Crawford Statement on SCOTUS Decision in Trump v. United States 7/1/2024 Washington, D.C. — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States.",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:32:16Z https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E1FB7295-8C9D-4FCF-B340-00DFEB5A952F,Boozman Congratulates Summer Interns on Service to Arkansas,2024-06-28,2024,2024-06,Republican,Senate,AR,John Boozman,B001236,www.boozman.senate.gov,boozman,https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the efforts of students who served Arkansans as interns in his Washington, D.C. and state offices this summer. “These sharp and motivated students have been a great help to the people of Arkansas during their time in Washington. I appreciate their dedication to helping my staff address issues concerning Arkansans and providing vital services. They truly have taken advantage of the unique opportunities available to them in our nation’s capital,” Boozman said. Hadley Burke, Anna Kate Davis, Kate Edelen, Katie Gage, Buddy Gaston, Alex Holder, Camryn Hughes, Hunter Ross and Sydney Roulhac completed a five-week internship in Boozman’s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various aspects of their work. Each intern was also afforded the chance to shadow the senator, a unique opportunity giving them rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate. Connor Ragan interned in the senator’s Lowell office where he supported state staff in outreach to Arkansans. Hadley Burke is from Bentonville and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2021. She is a rising senior studying economics and political science at the University of Arkansas Honors College. Hadley serves on the Associated Student Government executive board and is a member of her sorority Chi Omega Psi. She studied abroad in London, Spain and the Galapagos Islands. Anna Kate Davis is from Little Rock and graduated high school in 2021 from the Baptist Preparatory School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying agricultural business with a pre-law emphasis and is pursuing minors in Spanish and legal studies. On campus, she is involved in the Agricultural Business Club, the Honors College, Bumpers College Peer Mentor Program, Greekwide Student Ministries and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Anna Kate plans to attend law school after her May 2025 graduation. Kate Edelen is from Chesterfield, Missouri and graduated from Marquette High School in 2021. She currently attends the University of Arkansas and is majoring in nursing with a general business minor. Kate is a member of the Student Nurses Association and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Katie Gage is from Charleston. She is a 2021 graduate of Charleston High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where she is studying finance and legal studies. She serves on the executive board of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and holds many leadership positions on campus. After graduating, Katie plans on attending law school. Buddy Gaston is from Little Rock where he graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where he is studying agricultural business with a marketing and management concentration. Upon graduation, Buddy plans to attend law school. Alex Holder is from Little Rock and graduated from Pulaski Academy. She is studying finance and accounting at Texas Christian University, with plans to attend law school after graduation. She is involved in leadership in the Neeley School of Business, Student Government Association and Alpha Delta Pi. Camryn Hughes is from Crossett and graduated from Hamburg High School in 2019. She is a May 2024 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. During her time in Fayetteville, she studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. She recently accepted a job as press assistant for Senator Tom Cotton in his Washington, D.C. office. Connor Ragan is from Rogers. He is a 2022 graduate of Rogers High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where he is studying political science and criminology with a legal studies minor. He is an active member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Nu and of the UA Order of Omega Chapter. After graduation, Connor plans to attend law school. Hunter Ross, is from Greenbrier. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in May with a degree in business administration in business economics. He will return to Fayetteville in the fall to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Hunter is also a proud member of the Arkansas Air National Guard where he serves as a drill status intelligence analyst at the 188th Wing in Fort Smith. Sydney Roulhac is a native of Pine Bluff and a 2021 graduate of White Hall High School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where she is studying communication with a minor in marketing. On campus, she serves on the Associated Student Government Executive Council as the Student Body Secretary and is a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, Order of Omega and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Learn more about internship opportunities in Boozman’s Washington and state offices here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:24:47Z https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-applauds-scotus-decision-ruling-biden-doj-overstepped-in-charging-january-6-defendants,Cotton Applauds SCOTUS Decision Ruling Biden DOJ Overstepped in Charging January 6 Defendants,2024-06-28,2024,2024-06,Republican,Senate,AR,Tom Cotton,C001095,www.cotton.senate.gov,cotton,https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 June 28, 2024 Cotton Applauds SCOTUS Decision Ruling Biden DOJ Overstepped in Charging January 6 Defendants Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement after the Supreme Court decided to limit obstruction charges against January 6 defendants. Senator Cotton led 22 of his congressional colleagues in filing an amicus brief opposing the Department of Justice’s overreach: “Today’s decision is a victory against the Biden Administration’s abuse of power. The Department of Justice stretched a law in a way more befitting a banana republic than America. This Administration tolerates violent crime and an open border, but they manipulated a statute to imprison grandmas anywhere near the Capitol on January 6. I was proud to lead the amicus brief and commend the Court for its decision.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:11:47Z https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/steel-caucus-voices-concerns-of-potential-trade-status-change-for-vietnam,Steel Caucus Voices Concerns of Potential Trade Status Change for Vietnam,2024-06-27,2024,2024-06,Republican,House,AR,"Eric A. ""Rick"" Crawford",C001087,crawford.house.gov,crawford,https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Steel Caucus Voices Concerns of Potential Trade Status Change for Vietnam 6/27/2024 Washington, D.C. – 37 Bipartisan Members of the Congressional Steel Caucus, led by Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Vice Chairman Frank Mrvan (IN-01) sent a letter to the secretary of commerce, Gina Raimondo, expressing concern about the department's reconsideration of Vietnam's non-market economy (NME) status in U.S. antidumping proceedings. As the letter points out, Vietnam remains a top-down, government-controlled economy. The country practices steel dumping by flooding the U.S. with heavily subsidized steel in violation of international trade standards, which harms domestic production. Vietnam is also known to be a platform for Chinese steel to circumvent U.S. trade remedy orders. This malicious behavior should not be rewarded by a beneficial change of status. In October, the Department of Commerce announced that it would begin reviewing Vietnam's NME status. This announcement came shortly after Vietnam filed an official request to be considered a market economy. Commerce has 270 days to complete the review, which should occur in mid-July. ""Vietnam has been injuring the American steel industry for years through unfair trade practices. Our government has a duty to protect American businesses and workers, and the Department of Commerce must reject Vietnam's request. To grant Vietnam market economy status would be rewarding bad behavior and is a thumb in the eye to American steel,"" Rep. Crawford said. ""The livelihoods of steelworkers and their families are dependent upon the full and fair enforcement of our U.S. trade laws, and we must do all we can to hold bad actors around the world accountable for unfair trade practices. As vice chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I look forward to continuing to partner with all my colleagues to ensure that workers in steel-producing communities throughout our nation can compete on a level playing field,"" said Rep. Mrvan. ""The SMA applauds the Congressional Steel Caucus for highlighting the devastating effect that granting Vietnam market economy status would have on American workers and American steel production. America's industrial might relies on fair trade. If countries such as Vietnam, which has turned into one of the most harmful steel traders in the world, are granted market economy status, that puts American jobs and livelihoods at risk. It also destroys secure domestic supply chains in favor of countries that only succeed through government intervention or serving as a key cog in China's belt and road initiative. We stand with the bipartisan members of the Congressional Steel Caucus in calling for Vietnam not to be granted market economy status,"" said Philip K. Bell, President of the Steel Manufacturers Association. ""As China continues to utilize Indo-Pacific markets to undercut American steel tariffs, STI/SPFA stands in strong support of the Congressional Steel Caucus' letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo urging the reconsideration of Vietnam as a 'market economy,'"" Tim O'Toole, executive director of the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabrication Association (STI/SPFA), said. ""By legitimizing Vietnam's government-controlled economy that relies on aggressive subsidies to finance its steel marketplace, the Commerce Department would send a signal that developing countries can follow in Vietnam's footsteps by dumping steel products into the United States and subsequently preventing domestic steel manufacturers across the supply chain from competing on a level playing field. We appreciate Representative Mrvan and Representative Crawford's leadership on this issue and look forward to working with the Steel Caucus to continue pushing back against efforts to undercut American-made steel,"" said Tim O'Toole, executive vice president of STI/SPFA. The letter is also supported by the following groups: Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports (CPTI), Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), United Steel Workers (USW), Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA), Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), and the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:11:47Z https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-wrda-priorities-advance-house-floor,WESTERMAN WRDA PRIORITIES ADVANCE TO HOUSE FLOOR,2024-06-26,2024,2024-06,Republican,House,AR,Bruce Westerman,W000821,westerman.house.gov,westerman,https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a markup to advance the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement: “The 2024 Water Resources Development Act is bipartisan, comprehensive policy compiled of locally driven initiatives to address the unique water infrastructure needs of communities nationwide. I was proud to secure key maintenance and development provisions to strengthen our supply chain, increase emergency readiness, and support outdoor water recreation in Arkansas. I commend Chairmen Graves and Rouzer and Ranking Members Larsen and Napolitano for their collaborative approach to this year’s WRDA, and I look forward to advancing this critical bill through the House Floor.” BACKGROUND: The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 is biennial, bipartisan legislation that supports the viability, effectiveness, and conservation of waterways for commercial and recreational use. Westerman secured the following policy priorities in the 2024 WRDA: Phase in a new retention structure at outdoor recreation sites managed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers to ensure fees remain at local sites rather than held up by federal bureaucratic red tape. Encourage restored access to recreational access at Lake Dardanelle for snag fishing. Guarantee Arkansas has dredge access when needed most by ensuring the Dredge McFarland and its subsequent replacement stay in “ready reserve” status to assist in emergency events. Extend the Independent External Peer Review Program to continue improving the quality and efficiency of project planning at the U.S. Corps of Engineers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:11:47Z