TOM COTTON TOP HITS
Bad For Women
Abortion
TOM COTTON SUPPORTED CONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON ABORTION
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Cotton Would Support A Constitutional Amendment To Ban Abortion, But It Would
Be Quicker To Elect A President And Appoint A Supreme Court To Overturn Roe v. Wade. “Cotton said he would
support a constitutional amendment but he said it would be faster to elect an anti-abortion president and Senate because
they could appoint a Supreme Court justice willing to overturn Roe v. Wade.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/4/12]
AS A CANDIDATE, TOM COTTON SUPPORTED ULTRASOUND INFORMED CONSENT ACT
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Supported Restrictions On A Woman’s Right To Choose, Such As A Partial
Birth Abortion Ban Act And The Ultrasound Informed Consent Act. “I also support measures like the Partial-Birth
Abortion Ban Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act.” [TomCotton.com,
9/14/13]
January 2012: The Ultrasound Informed Consent Act Forced Women To Look At An Ultrasound Of Their Fetus
Before Receiving An Abortion. [H.R. 3805, 112th Congress, 1/23/12]
January 2012: The Ultrasound Informed Consent Act Provided An Exemption For The Life Of the Mother, But Not
For Rape Or Incest. [H.R. 3805, 113th Congress, 1/23/12]
TOM COTTON COSPONSORED AND VOTED FOR A 20-WEEK ABORTION BAN
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tom Cotton Supported A 20-Week Abortion Ban. “U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, Pryor's
Republican opponent in the coming election, voted for the ban in 2013 when it came before the House.” [Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette, 8/30/14]
May 2013: Tom Cotton Cosponsored The Pain-Capable Child Protection Act [H.R. 1797, 113th Congress, 5/24/13]
June 2013: Tom Cotton Voted For The Pain-Capable Child Protection Act. [H.R. 1797, Vote 251, 113th Congress,
6/18/13]
May 2013: A 20 Week Abortion Ban Sponsored By Tom Cotton Provided Exceptions For The Life Of The Mother,
Rape, Or Incest. [H.R. 1797, 113th Congress, 5/24/13]
TOM COTTON COSPONSORED AND VOTED FOR THE NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION AND
ABORTION INSURANCE FULL DISCLOSURE ACT…
January 2014: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored The No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion And Abortion Insurance Full
Disclosure Act [H.R. 7, 113th Congress, 1/9/14]
January 2014: Tom Cotton Voted For The No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion And Abortion Insurance Full
Disclosure Act [H.R. 7, Vote 31, 1/28/14]
January 2014: The No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion And Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act Would Ban
Federal Funding For Abortions Through Medicaid And The Affordable Care Act [H.R. 7, 113th Congress, 1/9/14]
January 2014: The No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion And Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act Did Not
Prohibit Funding For Abortions As The Result Of A Threat Life To The Life Of The Mother, Rape, Or Incest. [H.R.
7, 113th Congress, 1/9/14]
…WHICH WAS REDUNDANT DUE TO BANS ON FEDERAL FUNDING THAT ALREADY EXIST
National Public Radio: The Hyde Amendment Bans The Use Of Federal Money To Fund Abortions Though A
Number Of Programs, Including Medicaid. It Has Been Included In Ever Labor, Health And Human Services
Appropriations Bill Since 1976. “Abortion remains one of the key unresolved issues in the ongoing health overhaul
debate. Those on both sides of the abortion debate say what they want in the health bill is to retain the status quo. And
the status quo they point to is the Hyde amendment, the ban on federal funding of abortion first passed in 1976. But what
many people don't realize is that the Hyde amendment — named after its original sponsor, the late Illinois Republican
congressman and anti-abortion icon Henry Hyde — has changed many times over the years. ‘Today's Hyde language,
which has been in every annual Labor-HHS [Health and Human Services] appropriations bill since 1976, specifically
prohibits federal dollars from being used to pay for abortions except if the pregnancy was the result of rape, incest or the
life of the mother was in danger,’ said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) on the Senate floor.” [National Public Radio, 12/14/09]
March 2010: Executive Order 13535 Extended The Hyde Amendment To Apply To The Affordable Care Act
[Executive Order 13535, Executive Office Of The President, 3/24/10]
TOM COTTON REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HE BELIEVED IN ABORTION EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE…
Tom Cotton Refused To Say Whether He Would Allow Exceptions To An Abortion Ban For Rape, But Supported
An Exception For The Life Of The Mother. CONSTITUENT: “Are there any circumstances under which a woman could
have an abortion, such as rape?” COTTON: “I believe there are instances where we should allow a woman to make that
choice. For instance, in the choice of the life of the mother. But I am pro-life.” [Tom Cotton Malvern Town Hall, 3/30/13]
…AND HIS SPOKESPERSON WAS EVEN MORE VAGUE
Southwest Times Record: A Spokesperson Said That Tom Cotton Supported Exceptions In Anti-Abortion
Legislation For “Extreme And Tragic Circumstances.” “Cotton spokesman David Ray responded, ‘Tom Cotton is
proud to support legislation that prohibits gruesome abortions after unborn children can feel pain, and provides exceptions
for extreme and tragic circumstances. Tom's record stands in stark contrast to Senator Pryor's support for late-term
abortion and taxpayer funding for abortions, which is out-of-touch with Arkansas voters.’” [Southwest Times Record,
8/30/14]
TOM COTTON REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HE SUPPORTED ARKANSAS’ “HEARTBEAT LAW”…
Pine Bluff Commercial: Tom Cotton Refused To Comment On Whether He Supported The Arkansas “Heartbeat
Law.” “The key provision of the law, [Arkansas State Senator Jason Rapert] said, is in establishing that a fetus is viable
when a heartbeat can be detected. Abortions would be prohibited beyond that point with exceptions for rape, incest and
life of the mother…Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., Rep. Tom Cotton , R-Dardanelle, and Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers,
declined to issue any statement on the Arkansas law.” [Pine Bluff Commercial, 3/8/13]
…BUT TWO MONTHS LATER, TOM COTTON HELD UP ARKANSAS’ HEARTBEAT LAW AS MODEL LEGISLATION
Pine Bluff Commercial: Tom Cotton Said That We Need To Keep Defending Ideas Like Arkansas’s Heartbeat Bill.
“We need to continue to defend conservative ideas. Whether it’s Jason’s heartbeat bill here in Arkansas, whether it’s Paul
Ryan’s budget that I just described to you, whether it’s a strong national defense – that we’ve been talking about. Defend
them to your co-workers, and to your church members, and to your neighbors, and to your family.” [Tom Cotton, Perry
County Lincoln Day Dinner, 4/4/13] (video)
TOM COTTON WAS KIND ENOUGH TO PROVIDE WOMEN WITH A TIDY ROUND UP OF WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT
ABORTION
Southwest Times Record Editorial: Tom Cotton Said He Had Sponsored Legislation That Would Stop Taxpayer
Dollars From Going To Organizations That Perform Abortions. “Making it clear where he stands, Cotton spoke at the
Arkansas March for Life in Little Rock where he promised to continue to promote a culture of life. ‘Like all people, unborn
children are entitled to the God-given right to life and liberty enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed
in our Constitution,’ said Cotton. ‘And I'm working in Congress to defend the sanctity of human life and to preserve and
protect the rights of all children, born and unborn. I've sponsored legislation that would stop taxpayer dollars from going to
organizations that perform abortions. I've also supported a bill that would declare that life begins at conception and, as we
continue in our efforts to protect the unborn, a bill that stops abortions after the fetus is capable of feeling pain. And I
continue to oppose Obamacare and its regulations, with its unconstitutional mandates that private organizations, including
churches, pay for abortion.’ Cotton's voting record backs his words, scoring 100 percent on votes tracked by the National
Right to Life.” [Editorial, Southwest Times Record, 1/22/14]
Family Research Council and the Duggar Family
THROUGHOUT HIS POLITICAL CAREER, TOM COTTON HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY THE EXTREAMIST FAMILY
RESEARCH COUNCIL AND THE DUGGAR FAMILY
IN 2012, JOSH DUGGAR PRAISED TOM COTTON ON TWITTER
Josh Duggar: “Shoutout To Followers Across Arkansas! Vote For My Friend Tom Cotton For
Congress!@Cotton4congress #Election #Congress #Nov6” [@joshduggar, Twitter, 11/5/12]
Josh Duggar: “Tom Cotton (Candidate For Arkansas District 4, US Congress) Speaks To Group At Conservative
Arkansas Fundraiser Http://Instagr.Am/P/Rtyylaowgd/” [@joshduggar, Twitter, 10/27/12]

Washington Post: Josh Duggar Molested Four Of His Sisters And A Babysitter. “Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
said Wednesday that there was nothing that could have prepared them for the trauma of learning years ago that their
oldest son, Josh, had ‘improperly touched some of our daughters.’… On May 21, Josh Duggar, now 27, apologized
for teenage “wrongdoing” after a tabloid report alleged that he had molested several young girls. Duggar also resigned
from his high-profile job with the lobbying arm of the Family Research Council in Washington.” [Washington Post,
6/4/15]
MICHELLE DUGGAR HINTED AT THE POSIBILITY OF AN ENDORSEMENT FOR TOM COTTON IN 2014
The Hill: Jill Duggar Hinted That She Might Endorse Cotton While At A Pro-Life Rally In Arkansas. “And while
Duggar declined to overtly back the GOP’s only candidate in the race, Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), she didn’t shut the door
on the possibility of an endorsement. ‘We’re behind the pro-lifers and so you can be sure when there’s a pro-lifer, we’re
gonna be behind him,’ she said.” [The Hill, 1/22/14]
TOM COTTON WAS ENDORCED BY FRC ACTION, WHICH WAS LEAD BY JOSH DUGGAR
FRC Action: “FRC Action PAC, The Political Action Committee Connected With Family Research Council Action
(FRC Action), Has Endorsed Rep. Tom Cotton In His Campaign For U.S. Senate In Arkansas.” “On behalf of Tony
Perkins, president of the Family Research Council (FRC), FRC Action PAC, the political action committee connected with
Family Research Council Action (FRC Action), has endorsed Rep. Tom Cotton in his campaign for U.S. Senate in
Arkansas. Of the endorsement FRC Action PAC President Connie Mackey said: ‘These are challenging times. Our
economy has been decimated. The culture has been challenged beyond all reasonable limits. The strong, conservative
men and women elected in 2010 and 2012 need reinforcements. Rep. Tom Cotton has compiled a consistent record while
serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas. The position he holds on the life issue reflects his concern
for mother and child. Furthermore, his support for marriage as between one man and one woman is supported by the
majority of Americans. We are confident that Rep. Cotton will continue to be a strong advocate for limited government, for
individual and religious liberties and for family values.’" [Press Release, FRC Action, 5/13/14]
THE DUGGAR FAMILY CAMPAIGNED FOR TOM COTTON IN 2014 IN SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS
Tom Cotton: “Thanks To Josh Duggar & Family For Joining Us In Springdale This Morning For Our Early Vote
Rally! Now Is The Time To Go Vote!” [Cotton For Senate, Facebook, 10/20/14]
KARK: The Duggar Family Campaign For Tom Cotton. “U.S Senate Candidate, Representative Tom Cotton was
rallying for votes in Springdale. FRC Action, the legislative affiliate of ‘Family Research Council’ hosted the campaign
event featuring the organization's executive director, Josh Duggar. It's part of the ‘Faith Family Freedom Bus Tour,’
making twenty stops in ten days throughout seven states. The multi-state bus tour is targeting key congress, senate and
governor's races. Cotton joined the stage with the Duggar family asking fellow conservatives to support him when they
head to the polls.” [KARK, 10/20/14]
Tom Cotton Was Listed As Speaking At A Rally Put On By FRC Action, Along With Josh Duggar And The Duggar
Family. [Eventbrite, 10/20/14]
Daily Mail: Photo Of Tom Cotton, Anna Cotton, Josh Duggar And His Wife. [Daily Mail, 5/20/15]
TOM COTTON HAS APPEARED ON FRC PRESIDENT TONY PERKINS’ RADIO SHOW, “WASHINGTON WATCH”
AT LEST 4 TIMES IN HIS CAREER IN THE HOUSE AND SENTATE
Tom Cotton Appeared On Washington Watch With Tony Perkins [Washington Watch With Tony Perkins, Family
Research Council, 4/16/16]
Tom Cotton Appeared On Washington Watch With Tony Perkins [Washington Watch With Tony Perkins, Family
Research Council, 4/7/15]
Tom Cotton Appeared On Washington Watch With Tony Perkins [Washington Watch With Tony Perkins, Family
Research Council, 7/23/14]
Tom Cotton Appeared On Washington Watch With Tony Perkins [Washington Watch With Tony Perkins, Family
Research Council, 1/8/14]
JOSH DUGGAR MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE ROOM WITH TOM COTTON WHEN COTTON WON HIS SENATE RACE
Josh Duggar: “Just Witnessed A Phone Call Go Down Between @Pryorforsenate & @Tomcottonar - It's Official,
Sen-Elect Cotton! #Arsen” [@joshduggar, Twitter, 11/4/14]
Contraception And Hobby Lobby
TOM COTTON COSPONSORED LEGISLATION STATING THAT LIFE BEGAN AT CONCEPTION, AKA
PERSONHOOD
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tom Cotton Cosponsored A Bill That “Defined Life As Beginning At Fertilization.”
[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 8/30/14]
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s John Brummett: “Cotton Has Favored Federal Proposals To Grant ‘Personhood’ At
Point Of Conception And Deny Not Only Abortions Thereafter, But A Few Forms Of Commonly Practiced
Women's Contraception.” [John Brummett, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/20/14]
January 2014: Tom Cotton Cosponsored The Life At Conception Act. [H.R. 1091, 113th Congress, 1/8/14]
January 2014: The Life At Conception Act Says “Nothing In This Act Shall Be Construed To Authorize The
Prosecution Of Any Woman For The Death Of Her Unborn Child. [H.R. 1091, 113th Congress, 1/8/14]
TOM COTTON WAS “PLEASED” WITH THE SUPREME COURT’S HOBBY LOBBY DECISION…
Southwest Times Record: Tom Cotton Said He Was “Pleased” With The Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby Decision,
Which Allowed Employers A Religious Exception From The Affordable Care Act’s Contraceptive Mandate. “In a 54 decision, the Court sided with the owners of the arts-and-craft store chain who sought a religious exemption from the
Affordable Care Act requirement that employer-based health plans cover emergency contraception. Cotton said he is
pleased with the decision but that the case itself is another example of how Obamacare ‘infringes on the liberties of all
Arkansans.’” [Southwest Times Record, 7/3/14]
...AND, UNPROMPETED, TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION THE RELIGIOUS FAITH OF SENATOR MARK
PRYOR…
Southwest Times Record: Tom Cotton Said That Senator Pryor Thought That “Faith Is Something That Only
Happens At 11 O'Clock On Sunday Mornings.” “’Barack Obama and Mark Pryor think that faith is something that only
happens at 11 o'clock on Sunday mornings. That's when we worship, but faith is what we live every single day and the
government shouldn't infringe on the rights of religious liberty,’ Cotton said during an interview on KNWA television in
Fayetteville…Cotton made his comment in response to a question about the U.S. Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling on
Monday… He then raised the question of the depth of Pryor's faith.” [Southwest Times Record, 7/3/14]
TOM COTTON FALSELY STATED THAT SENATOR PRYOR SUPPORTED FEDERAL FUNDING OF ABORTION AND
LATE TERM ABORTION…
Southwest Times Record: After Senator Pryor Demanded An Apology, Tom Cotton “Partially Recanted His
Televised Remark Only To Raise Additional Charges That Pryor Supports Taxpayer-Funded Abortion.” “’He is a
man of faith and practices it with commendable openness, which I respect, but I wish he would respect Arkansans' right to
practice our faith,’ Cotton said. ‘Instead, Senator Pryor and President Obama still defend Obamacare even after the
Supreme Court said it violated freedom of religion. Senator Pryor supports taxpayer-funded abortion and late-term
abortion and would force Christians to pay for abortions despite their deeply held religious beliefs. That's a real attack on
faith.’” [Southwest Times Record, 7/3/14]

Southwest Times Record: “Pryor Has Voted To Prohibit Federal Funds From Being Used To Pay For
Abortions And Has Voted To Ban Late-Term Abortions.” [Southwest Times Record, 7/3/14]
…IN A DECEMBER EPISODE OF HIS RADIO SHOW, FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE SAID
THAT MARK PRYOR’S FAITH WAS “VERY REAL” AND THAT “I DON’T THINK THAT YOU CAN JUDGE A
PERSON’S FAITH, OR THEIR AUTHENTICITY OF IT, BASED ON THEIR POLITICS”
Washington Examiner: In December, Mike Huckabee Said That Through Conversations With Mark Pryor He Had
Found Pryor’s Faith “Very Real” And That “I Don't Think That You Can Judge A Person's Faith, Or The
Authenticity Of It, Based On Their Politics” “Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican, did not question
Pryor's religious convictions during a December episode of his radio show, saying he had instead concluded from
conversations with Pryor that ‘his faith is very real.’ ‘I don't think that you can judge a person's faith, or the authenticity of
it, based on their politics,’ Huckabee said.” [Washington Examiner, 7/2/14]
Equal Pay
AS A LAW CLERK, TOM COTTON CLERKED FOR A JUDGE WHO WROTE THAT THE EQUAL PAY ACT
INFRINGES ON STATES’ RIGHTS
Judge Jerry Smith Wrote An Opinion In Which He Agreed With Texas’ Argument That The Equal Pay Act Infringes
On States’ Rights. “I respectfully dissent from the court’s failure to grant en banc reconsideration in this important case.
As a result of this failure, we have lost an opportunity to bring our Eleventh Amendment jurisprudence into conformity with
the Supreme Court’s recent caselaw. In affirming a judgment under the Equal Pay Act (‘EPA’), the panel majority rejected
Texas's argument that application of the EPA to a state university violates the Eleventh Amendment.” [U.S. Fifth Circuit
Court of Appeals, case 00-50092, 5/16/02]
AS A CONGRESSMAN, TOM COTTON VOTED AGAINST EVEN CONSIDERING A VOTE THE PAY EQUITY ACT ON
THE FLOOR
Office Of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro: Congresswoman DeLauro Introduced A Motion To Discharge And
Democrats Introduced A Motion On The Previous Question To Force A Vote On The Paycheck Fairness Act.
“Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today called on her Republican colleagues to ensure equal pay for equal work.
This morning she filed a discharge petition on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which—if it obtains 218 signatures—would
automatically force the bill to the House floor for a vote. The Paycheck Fairness Act currently has 192 cosponsors. This
afternoon House Democrats will put forth a motion, known as the Previous Question, which would enable them to call up
the Paycheck Fairness Act for a vote.” [Press Release, Office Of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, 4/11/13]
Congressional Research Service: A Motion For A Previous Question Allows Debate To Be Cut Off And A Pending
Motion To Be Voted On By The House. “The previous question is a nondebatable motion to close consideration and
bring a pending matter to an immediate vote.” [Congressional Research Service, 9/16/15]
Congressional Research Service: “If The Motion Is Agreed To By A Majority Vote, It Generally Cuts Off Further
Debate And Prevents The Offering Of Additional Amendments Or Motions.” [Congressional Research Service,
9/16/15]
April 11, 2013: Tom Cotton Voted For The Motion On The Previous Question, Blocking Consideration Of The
Paycheck Fairness Act. [H. Res. 146, 113th Congress, 4/11/13]
AS A SENATOR, TOM COTTON VOTED AGAINST EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK
March 2015: Tom Cotton Voted Against A Pay Equity Amendment To The Equal Pay Act Of 1963. [S.Amdt.362 to
S.Con.Res.11, 114th Congress, 3/24/15]
Women In Combat
TOM COTTON OPPOSED OPENING UP COMBAT ROLES TO WOMEN
CNN: Tom Cotton Said To Laura Ingram: “To Have Women Serving In Infantry, Though, Could Impair The Mission
Essential Task Of Those Units… Its Nature, You Know, Upper Body Strength And Physical Movements And
Speed And Endurance And So Forth.” “Rep. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, has said he doesn't think women
are physically capable of combat duty. ‘To have women serving in infantry ... could impair the mission essential task of
those units, and that's been proven in study after study," he told radio host Laura Ingraham this month. "It's nature -upper body strength and physical movements and speed and endurance and so forth.’” [CNN, 1/24/13]
CNN: Tom Cotton Said Women Do Not Have The Physical Abilities To Perform In Combat Roles. “Another
Freshman Congressman, Tom Cotton From Arkansas, Also A Veteran, A Veteran From Both The Wars In Iraq And
Afghanistan, He Disagrees With This Decision. He Says That There'd Been Study After Study, In His Opinion, To Show
That Only Men Can Really Do What Is Necessary In Real Combat Because It's The Nature, The Upper Body Strength,
The Physical, The Speed, And Endurance, And So Forth. He Doesn't Believe Women Really Have Those Kinds Of
Qualities.” [CNN, 1/23/13]
Washington Post: Tom Cotton Said Women In The Infantry “Could Impair The Mission, The Central Task Of
Those Forces [U.S. Army And Marines]”. “Cotton cited women's comparative lack of ‘upper body strength and physical
movement and speed and endurance’ as reasons to keep the ban in place, although he praised the ‘brave contributions’
of those who are, or have, served ‘on the front lines in critical capacities.’ He repeated that ‘to have them in the infantry,
in either the Marine Corps or the Army, could impair the mission, the central task of those forces.’” [Washington Post,
1/24/13]
COTTON HAD HIS VERSION OF “BINDERS FULL OF WOMEN”
Southwest Times Record: Tom Cotton Said “I had female soldiers in my Humvees routinely” For Help During
Missions. “Cotton, however, did offer that women are playing critical roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Women, he said,
accompanied his unit to interrogate or interview Muslim women they encountered on patrol. ‘I had female soldiers in my
Humvees routinely,’ Cotton said.” [Southwest Times Record, 1/26/13]
COTTON WAS CRITICIZED FOR HIS STATEMENT
Kansas City Star’s Mary Sanchez: “Cotton needs to check with the families of the 152 women who died in Iraq
and Afghanistan. They can detail what military duties their daughters, sisters and wives completed before
making the ultimate sacrifice.” “Tom Cotton, who recently commented in a radio interview that women's ‘natures’ can
hamper the missions of their units. Cotton needs to check with the families of the 152 women who died in Iraq and
Afghanistan. They can detail what military duties their daughters, sisters and wives completed before making the ultimate
sacrifice.” [Kansas City Star, 1/28/13]
Daily Press’ Mary Sanchez: “Like Other Naysayers, Cotton Needs To Realize That Lifting The Ban On Direct
Combat Is Not A Politically Correct Effort At Social Engineering. It's About Career.” “Like other naysayers, Cotton
needs to realize that lifting the ban on direct combat is not a politically correct effort at social engineering. It's about
career. Pay and rank are linked to what jobs people can apply for in the military. More than 230,000 new positions
potentially just opened up for women. Each combat role will be assessed to see if it's feasible to include women, and
some elite units may continue to be male-only.’” [Daily Press, 1/31/13]
EVEN AS A STUDENT AT HARVARD, TOM COTTON ARGUED THAT ALLOWING WOMEN TO GO INTO THE
RESERVES TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN WOULD ROLL BACK DEPLOYMENTS FOR WOMEN
Harvard Political Review: Tom Cotton Argued That Allowing Women To Go Into The Reserves To Spend Time
With Their Children Would Roll Back Deployments For Women. “Lt. Jeff Blaney, US Army, seems to have discovered
a new right in the Constitution: a ‘constitutional right to breast-feed,’ which could likely affect the future of women in our
military. His wife, Lt. Emma Cuevas, US Army, an experienced helicopter pilot, is the mother of their nine-month-old girl.
Though Cuevas has several years of obligated service, she wants to go into the reserves so she can spend more time
with her daughter. Blaney will defend her case to the courts, saying that their daughter is losing her ‘constitutional right to
breast-feed by having her mother impounded by the government.’ He does not, unfortunately, explain to which
constitutional clause he refers. Cuevas’s case may appear humorous, but it poses a larger question on the military’s
treatment of women and its ability to integrate them into combat forces. If the military grants Cuevas’s request, it may roll
back more progressive deployments for women to maintain strategic flexibility.” [Tom Cotton, Harvard Political Review,
Spring 1997]
Violence Against Women Act
COTTON OPPOSED AND VOTED AGAINST THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT BECAUSE IT WOULD
“SUBJECT AMERICAN CITIZENS TO NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL COURT JURISDICTION”
February 2013: Cotton Voted Against The Violence Against Women Act [S. 47, 113th Congress, Vote #55, 2/28/13]
CNN: The Violence Against Women Act Would Have “Strengthen[ed] Protections of Particular Groups of Women
at Particular Risk.” “An expanded Violence Against Women Act won bipartisan approval on Thursday from the U.S.
House after Republicans failed to pass their own proposal due to a party split on an issue important to women and
minority groups.…According to advocacy groups, the Senate version of the Violence Against Women Act approved
Tuesday strengthens protections of particular groups of women at particular risk.” [CNN, 2/28/13]

The Hotline: Tom Cotton Did Not Support The Violence Against Women Act “Because It Subjects
American Citizens To Indian Tribal-Court Jurisdiction Without… Adequate Constitutional
Safeguards.” “Rep. Steve Womack (R-03) and Cotton opposed the Senate's Violence Against Women Act.
Cotton: ‘The Violence Against Women Act contains important provisions to deter and punish domestic
violence and to protect victims. ... I could not support the legislation, however, because it subjects American
citizens to Indian tribal-court jurisdiction without, in my opinion, adequate constitutional safeguards.’” [The
Hotline, 3/1/13]
COTTON EVEN VOTED AGAINST THE WATERED-DOWN REPUBLICAN SUBSTITUTE VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN ACT
February 2013: Tom Cotton Voted Against A Republican Substitute Violence Against Women Act. [H.R. 47, Vote
#54, 2/28/13]
No Fault Divorce
TOM COTTON ARGUED THAT FEMINISTS SHOULD BE OPPOSED TO NO-FAULT DIVORCE BECAUSE,
OTHERWISE, MEN “WILL CHOOSE [DIVORCE] THOUGHTLESSLY” AFTER THEY DON’T “GAIN TRUE
HAPPINESS WITH THEIR NEW TROPHY WIVES”
Harvard Crimson’s Tom Cotton: Tom Cotton Criticized Feminist Organizations For Supporting No-Fault Divorce,
Claiming That Men “Will Choose [Divorce] Thoughtlessly” If Given The Option, Especially After They Don’t “Gain
True Happiness With Their New Trophy Wives,” Which Would Lead To Women’s “Greatest Fear” That They
Would Be Left By Their Husband. “The National Organization of Women (NOW) has dedicated itself, nationally and in
its state chapters, to ‘exposing’ both PK and covenant marriage as a thinly veiled attack by the Religious Right on
women's rights, or as an attempt to re-establish patriarchy. An example of the fanaticism with which NOW follows this
course is its powest subdivision, the ‘Promise Keepers Mobilization Project.’ Feminists understandably view movements
like PK and covenant marriage with anxiety. They undermine what feminists consider a crowning achievement, no fault
divorce. Feminists say no fault divorce was a large hurdle on the path to female liberation. They apparently don't consult
the deepest hopes or greatest fears of young women…Feminists who allegedly speak for women should attack divorce,
not its effects. If men have easy access to divorce, many will choose it thoughtlessly. They may not gain true happiness
with their new trophy wives, but they certainly will not slide into the material indigence and emotional misery that awaits
most divorced women. If restrained, however, men can fulfill women's deepest hopes. They can learn that personal
happiness comes from the desire to devote and sacrifice oneself to one's beloved. A few men can see this by themselves,
and women are quite lucky to hook them. Ordinary women must not only defend these men against feminism, but also
demand that all other men accept the lifelong nature of marriage. If not, one-half of all women who marry see their
‘greatest fear’ come true. If so, they can have their ‘deepest hopes’ fulfilled.” [Tom Cotton, Harvard Crimson, 10/3/97]
Sexual Harassment
TOM COTTON ARGUED THAT CONGRESS SHOULD NARROW THE DEFINITION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Harvard Crimson’s Tom Cotton: Congress Should Narrow The Definition Of Sexual Harassment. “Sexual
harassment clearly has been a matter of much public concern, going back past President Clinton's troubles and to the
farcical 1991 Thomas-Hill hearings. Sexual harassment law rests on the congressional foundation of Title VII, which
makes it illegal ‘to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge...or otherwise discriminate against’ someone based on sex. From
that foundation, the EEOC and the courts have done their best (which is often very bad) to construct an edifice of sexual
harassment law. That unwieldy edifice no longer suits us, to say the least. Congress could resolve this sorry situation by
legislating a more precise statutory definition of sexual harassment. Such legislation could revise and reform our current
ad hoc law. Moreover, it would reflect the genuine opinions of Americans, as representatives and senators surely would
receive and earful from their constituents.” [Tom Cotton, Harvard Crimson, 4/22/98]
…AND CALLED ANITA HILL’S ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AGAINST CLARENCE THOMAS
“FARCICAL”…
Harvard Crimson’s Tom Cotton: Anita Hill’s Participation In Clarence Thomas’s Confirmation Hearing “Farcical.”
“Perhaps against inclination, we must not blame these persons for short-circuiting representative democracy in this
instance. No, the blame here rests on Congress. Sexual harassment clearly has been a matter of much public concern,
going back past President Clinton's troubles and to the farcical 1991 Thomas-Hill hearings.” [Tom Cotton, Harvard
Crimson, 4/22/98]
Gender Bias
TOM COTTON BELIEVED HARVARD SHOULD NOT WORK TO COMBAT INSTITUTIONAL GENDER BIAS IN
FACULTY APPOINTMENTS
Harvard Crimson’s Tom Cotton: Affirmative Action Is A “Misguided Step” To Change The Disparity Between
Male And Female Faculty At Harvard. “There is an inarguable disparity between percentages of male and female senior
faculty at this University. The staff sees this disparity and assumes that it is the product of some institutional bias that
leads to the chronic mistreatment of women under the tenuring process. The staff presents no evidence that such
obstacles actually still exist. The staff's endorsement of an affirmative action policy is their most misguided step.” [Dissent
by Noah D. Oppenheim, Thomas B. Cotton, and Alex M. Carter, Harvard Crimson, 5/12/97]
Male Unruliness
COTTON BELIEVED WOMEN HAD “CONSPIRED” TO BREAK A MAN’S UNRULINESS
Harvard Crimson’s Tom Cotton: Men Are Naturally Restless And Rowdy, Although “Women And Social
Institutions Have Conspired To Break A Man’s Unruliness.” “Yet that is a lot to ask of a man: Talk to a psychologist, a
sociobiologist or a mother and you learn that men are naturally restless and rowdy, maybe even a little incorrigible.
Throughout time, though, women and social institutions have conspired to break man's unruliness. In the past few
decades, however, they have largely abandoned that noble and necessary project.” [Tom Cotton, Harvard Crimson,
10/3/97]
Bad For LGBT
Marriage Equality
AS A CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS, TOM COTTON SAID HE WOULD LEAVE MARRIAGE UP TO THE STATES…
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tom Cotton Said He “Doesn’t Have A Lot To Say” About Marriage Equality.
“Arkansas elected officials, regardless of party, also are unwilling to reject the traditional definition of marriage. Members
of the state's congressional delegation this week voiced their support for the state constitution's 2004 marriage
amendment… Rep. Tom Cotton, a Republican, denied an interview request. ‘He doesn't have a lot to say on that topic,’
said his spokesman, Caroline Rabbit.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/28/13]
The Courier: Tom Cotton Said That “Not Only Is Marriage A 5,000-Year-Old Institution, Redefining Marriage Is Not
A Federal Issue.” And It “Is Part Of The Sovereignty Of Individual States To Make Those Changes.” Regarding
The Definition Of Marriage. “‘Not only is marriage a 5,000-year-old institution, redefining marriage is not a federal issue,’
he said. ‘Ultimately, it is part of the sovereignty of individual states to make those changes.’” [The Courier, 2/18/13]
…BUT THEN TOM COTTON SAID HE SUPPORTED “TRADITION” MARRIAGE
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Tom Cotton Supported Traditional Marriage. “In response to a question from the crowd,
Cotton said he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/5/13]
TOM COTTON SAID THE BEST WAY TO RAISE CHILDREN WAS IN A “ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN, STABLE
FAMILY”
Northwest Arkansas News: Tom Cotton Said “The Best Way To Raise Children Is In A Two-Person, One Man And
One Woman, Stable Family.” In April 2013, the Northwest Arkansas News reported: “In response to a question from the
crowd, Cotton said he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. ‘We have 5,000 years of recorded
history on that, and untold years of unrecorded history,” he said. “The best way to raise children is in a two-person, one
man and one woman, stable family.’” [Northwest Arkansas News, 4/5/13]
TOM COTTON SAID HE WOULD DEFEND THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Would Defend The Constitutionality Of The Defense Of Marriage Act. In 2011,
Cotton wrote on his campaign website: “Strong families also depend on strong marriages, and I support the traditional
understanding of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. I also support the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
and I will defend its constitutionality because President Obama has abandoned his duty to do so in federal court—an
extreme position rejected not only by President Bush, but also by President Clinton.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]
AS A CONGRESSMAN, TOM COTTON WAS A COSPONSOR ON A BILL FORBIDDING THE GOVERNMENT FROM
WITHHOLDING FEDERAL BENEFITS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT DID NOT RECOGNIZE
SAME SEX MARRIAGES
September 2013: Tom Cotton Was A Cosponsor Of The Marriage And Religious Freedom Act, Which Banned The
Government From Withholding Benefits From Organizations Or Persons That Did Not Recognize Same Sex
Marriages. “The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act would prohibit government discrimination against individuals and
institutions that exercise religious or moral conscience regarding marriage as the union of one man and one woman by
ensuring that the federal government will not:
* Deny or revoke an exemption from taxation under Sec. 501 of the IRS Tax Code
* Disallow a deduction for Federal tax purposes of any charitable contribution made to or by a person
* Deny or withhold any federal benefit
* Deny or exclude a person from receiving any federal grant, contract, loan, license, certification, accreditation,
employment, or other similar position or status
* Otherwise discriminate against any individual organization
…
LIST OF COSPONSORS (AS OF 9/19/13)
…
Rep. Tom Cotton [H.R. 3133, 113th Congress, 9/9/13]
LGBT Discrimination And “Religious Freedom” Laws
WHILE AT HARVARD, TOM COTTON BELIEVED THAT TWO HOMOPHOBIC INCIDENTS AT HARVARD WERE
ONLY WRONG BECAUSE OF THE IMPRESSION THEY GAVE THE PUBLIC
Harvard Crimson’s Tom Cotton: In Response To Two Homophobic Incidents At Harvard, Tom Cotton Said,
“Spare Me The Diversity Seminars And The Consciousness-Raising Seminars.” “I do not feel, as the staff apparently
does, however, that these incidents represent a ‘latent’ or ‘deepseated’ homophobic sentiment on campus. Any candid
person will admit that, of all their problems, a lack of tolerance is not high on the list for Harvard students. Spare me the
diversity seminars and the consciousness-raising seminars. Just take care of the criminals.” [Tom Cotton, Harvard
Crimson, 4/21/97]

Harvard Crimson’s Tom Cotton: Tom Cotton Felt That Two Homophobic Incidents Were “Wrong Because
Of The Message They Convey. In a column, Cotton wrote: “I feel that the graffiti at Dunster House and the email
at the Kennedy School were wrong because of the message they convey. Unfortunately, I can't make this
argument to the authors because they are cowardly thugs who hide behind a veil of anonymity. I hope that the
Harvard University Police Department is successful in immediately bringing the perpetrators to justice for their
vandalism and for using the e-mail system to harass and intimidate others.” [Tom Cotton, Harvard Crimson,
4/21/97]
TOM COTTON SAID OPPONENTS OF ARKANSAS’ RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT SHOULD HAVE
“PERSPECTIVE” ABOUT THE ISSUE AND SAID HE WOULD “ALWAYS STAND UP TO DEFEND RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM”
The New York Times’s Thomas Rosenthal: Tom Cotton Said Gay Americans Need “Perspective” About Proposed
Anti-Gay Law In Arkansas And That People Should Remember That “In Iran They Hang You For The Crime Of
Being Gay” “Mr. Cotton was asked by Wolf Blitzer on CNN yesterday about a law passed by legislators in his home state
that is clearly intended to permit businesses and individuals to discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual
orientation. ‘In Arkansas,’ he began, ‘we believe in religious freedom.’ Mr. Blitzer, to his credit, pointed out that ‘everybody
believes in religious freedom.’… So Mr. Clinton was lousy on this civil rights issue. What’s Mr. Cotton’s point? ‘It’s
important that we have a sense of perspective about our priorities,’ he said. ’In Iran they hang you for the crime of being
gay.’” [Thomas Rosenthal, The New York Times, 4/2/15]
ABC News: After Miley Cyrus Expressed Displeasure Over His Remarks, Tom Cotton Said That He Would
"Always Stand Up To Defend Religious Freedom." “When asked today in Washington about his comments and Cyrus'
reaction, Cotton did not mention the singer, instead saying, I'll always stand up to defend religious freedom.’” [ABC News,
4/2/15]
TOM COTTON VOTED AGAINST AN AMENDMENT TO THE EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT THAT WOULD BAN
DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTIY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2015: Tom Cotton Voted Against An Amendment To Ban Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation Or Gender
Identify In Public School. [S.Amdt. 2039 to S. 1177, Vote #236, 113th Congress, 7/14/15]
THINKPROGRESS OBTAINED A LETTER TO A CONSTUENT ASKING ABOUT THE EMPLOYMENT NONDISCRIMINATION ACT, WHICH TOM COTTON OPPOSED
ThinkProgress: In A Letter Obtained By ThinkProgress, Tom Cotton Explained Why He Opposed E.N.D.A., Saying
The Law “Might Encourage Frivolous Lawsuits Designed To Win Big Legal Fees, Not To Promote Equality Before
The Law” And “Because The Legislation Would Protect Classes That Are Subjective, Legal Uncertainty And
Costs Could Be Particularly Acute.” “The proposed legislation, unfortunately, could have the unintended consequence
of making it harder for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation, to find jobs. It might encourage frivolous lawsuits
designed to win big legal fees, not to promote equality before the law. To that end, it would increase the cost of doing
business, partly because of the cost of these lawsuits. When costs increase, employers are less likely to expand their
businesses and thus less likely to hire more employees. Because the legislation would protect classes that are subjective,
legal uncertainty and costs could be particularly acute. Further, the legislation could impose undue burdens on freedom of
religion and association. It does purport to include religious-liberty exemptions, but these “protections” have been litigated
repeatedly in other contexts, which itself is burdensome. And that’s not to mention Barack Obama’s regulatory agencies,
which have repeatedly shown hostility toward religious freedom.” [ThinkProgress, 5/7/14]
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
TOM COTTON SUPPORTED DON’T ASK DON’T TELL
Courier News: Tom Cotton Supported Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy. “One person asked about his stance on
homosexuality in the military. Cotton said he supported the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. that formerly was in place. ‘Social
policy changes are a waste of time, and what we have now works,’ he said. ‘This is important for military brass. It allows
them to take care of their troops and maintain the level of respect each of them deserve.’ This is the position Gen. James
Amos, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, held in a recent conversation with Cotton.” [Courier News, 2/18/13]

El Dorado News-Times: Tom Cotton Said The Military Didn’t Need To Get Its “Hands Dirty With Social
Engineering.” “As a former soldier, when asked about the recent repeal of ‘Don't Ask Don't Tell,’ Cotton said he
was against the legislation's reversal, explaining that while fighting two wars overseas, the military doesn't need to
get its hands dirty with social engineering.” [El Dorado News-Times, 11/2/11]
The Courier: Tom Cotton Said “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Worked And Was Necessary To “Maintain The Level Of
Respect.” “One person asked about his stance on homosexuality in the military. Cotton said he supported the ‘don’t ask
don’t tell’ policy that formerly was in place. ‘Social policy changes are a waste of time, and what we have now works,’ he
said. ‘This is important for military brass. It allows them to take care of their troops and maintain the level of respect each
of them deserve.’” [The Courier, 2/18/13]
Bad For African-Americans
Affirmative Action
TOM COTTON SPOKE OUT AGAINST AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN HIS COLLEGE YEARS
Harvard Crimson’s Tom Cotton: “Everyone Should Deny The Value Of The Diversity Spawned By Affirmative
Action “Everyone should deny the value of the diversity spawned by affirmative action and trumpeted by intellectuals. It
produces and artificial, superficial diversity. It demeans blacks and Hispanics by saying that the essence of their being is
their skin color, that the diversity they bring is literally skin deep. It treats them as an undifferentiated and homogeneous
mass, characterized by Orwellian groupthink of the sort that post-war intellectuals said would never exist and that presentday intellectuals seem all too eager to abet.” [Tom Cotton, Harvard Crimson, 3/18/98]
Harvard Salient’s Tom Cotton: Tom Cotton Mocked Those Arguing Against California’s Proposition 209, A
Referendum To End Affirmative Action. “Last Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals,
composed of Judges Diarmuid O’Scannlain, Edward Leavey, and Kleinfeld, ruled that Proposition 209 is clearly
constitutional and overturned a lower court’s injunction against it. Opponents have twenty-one days to file for an en banc
appeal, i.e., to request that the entire Ninth Circuit reverse the ruling. If that fails, they may then appeal to the Supreme
Court. The affirmative action industry seems especially indignant at this latest rebuke. The defeated and ungracious
lawyer for its side said the ruling ‘doesn’t just force women and minorities to the back of the bus. It boots them off
altogether.’ Reports from the front lines have yet to uncover any mass booting of either from public transit.” [Harvard
Salient, 4/21/97]
Harvard Salient’s Tom Cotton: Tom Cotton Accused Affirmative Action Advocates Of Painting Their Opponents
As “David Duke Clones.” “After twenty-five years of affirmative action, innumerable bureaucrats, politicians, scholars,
and educators have an enormous professional and emotional stake in its continuation. These two cases represent the first
significant chinks in the quota-makers’ armor. For years they have insulated themselves from political forces. By defining
themselves as crusaders for all that is just and right and their opponents as David Duke clones, they took affirmative
action off the table. Now, however, they put their moral standing against that of the judiciary. Advantage: judiciary.”
[Harvard Salient, 4/21/97]
Harvard Salient’s Tom Cotton: Tom Cotton Said Congress Should Outlaw Affirmative Action Under The
Fourteenth Amendment. “Most oppose affirmative action because they believe it is unconstitutional under the
Fourteenth Amendment. Representatives and Senators swear to uphold the Constitution. The Constitution applies to the
states. Thus, if the votes are there, Congress can legitimately outlaw affirmative action both nationally and in the states,
just as it imposed it on all the states.” [Harvard Salient, 4/21/97]
Harvard Salient’s Tom Cotton: Cotton Said That Affirmative Action Caused “Balkanization” And Exacerbated
Racial Tension. Cotton wrote in Harvard’s conservative journal The Salient: “The last twenty-five years have been a
period of balkanization in America, an inelegant way of saying that people have begun to view themselves primarily as
members of their race or ethnicity. This is not unrelated to affirmative action policies, and by leaving them intact, we
exacerbate racial tension. Only when society acts colorblind can it become colorblind.” [Harvard Salient, 4/21/97]
Civil Rights Leaders
COTTON SAID THAT CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS FALSELY PUSH THE PREVALENCE OF RACISM IN AMERICA TO
PRESERVE THEIR OWN JOBS
Harvard Salient’s Tom Cotton: Tom Cotton Called Jesse Jackson And Al Sharpton “Race-Hustling Charlatans”
Who Lack Common Sense. “Common sense, however, has never been the forte of race-hustling charlatans like Jesse
Jackson or Al Sharpton.” [Thomas Cotton, Harvard Salient, 9/29/97]
Harvard Salient’s Tom Cotton: Tom Cotton Argued That Civil Rights Leaders Were Wrong About Their Perception
Of The Prevalence Of Racism In America. “Unfortunately, it also seems lost on supposedly educated people like Roger
Wilkins, Lani Guinier, and Derek Bell. They and other leaders of the civil-rights establishment – one of those many groups
that lives off the capital of a noble heritage – blithely ignore all data on racial attitudes in America, as well as all trends of
behavior that prove the sincerity of those attitudes.” [Thomas Cotton, Harvard Salient, 9/29/97]
Harvard Salient’s Tom Cotton: Tom Cotton Argued That Civil Rights Leaders Continue To Make “Hysterical And
Wholly Unsubstantiated Claims” Of Racism To Keep Their Own Jobs. “If race relations are better now than at any
time in our history and would almost certainly improve if we stopped emphasizing race in our public life, what would the
self-appointed ‘civil rights leaders’ have to do with themselves? For this reason, they continue to make hysterical and
wholly unsubstantiated claims that inflame public opinion and create a gnawing cynicism in the American people.”
[Thomas Cotton, Harvard Salient, 9/29/97]
Voting Rights
TOM COTTON HELPED DEFEND FLORIDA AGAINST ALLEGATIONS THAT ITS VOTING RIGHTS LAWS FOR
FELONS WERE RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY
Class Action Law Monitor: The Eleventh Circuit Court Of Appeals Ruled That Florida’s Ban On Voting Rights For
Felons Was Racially Discriminatory. The Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal of a class
action against Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris and local election officials,
challenging Florida's ban on voting for those individuals who have been convicted of a felony and successfully completed
all terms of incarceration, probation or parole… The Eleventh Circuit reversed the dismissal on the issues of equal
protection violations and voting rights violations, remanding those issues to the trial court for resolution. Originally, the ban
on voting for those convicted of crimes was motivated by intentional racial discrimination. The Eleventh Circuit held
Florida had an affirmative duty to break the causal connection between the original racially discriminatory intent and its
present day purpose in order to comply with equal protection.” [Class Action Law Monitor, 1/31/04]
Class Action Law Monitor: Cooper & Kirk Were Lawyers For Governor Jeb Bush In The Florida Voting Rights
Case. “Judges : Rosemary Barkett (opinion), Phyllis A. Kravitch, John P. Fullam (E.D. Pa., sitting by designation) Counsel
for Governor : Charles J. Cooper, Cooper & Kirk P.L.L.C., 202-220-9600, Washington, D.C. Counsel for Sec'y of State :
Jeffrey P. Ehrlich, Miami-Dade County Atty's Office, 305-375-5151, Miami; David H. Thompson, Cooper & Kirk P.L.L.C.,
202-220-9600, Washington, D.C.; Robert C. Buschel, Carter Schwartzreich & Yates, 954-525-8000, Ft. Flauderdale, Fla.;
Derek L. Shaffer, Cooper & Kirk P.L.L.C., 202-220-9600, Washington, D.C. Counsel for plaintiffs : Jessie Allen, New York;
Deborah Goldberg, New York.” [Class Action Law Monitor, 1/31/04]
2005: Tom Cotton Was Listed As A Lawyer Working On The Appeal In Johnson V. Governor Of The State Of
Florida. [Johnson V. Governor Of The State Of Florida, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, 4/12/05]
Criminal Justice Reform
TOM COTTON HAS OPPOSED BIPARTISAN CIRMINAL JUSTICE REFORM CONSISTANTLY, SAYING REFORM
WOULD ONLY MEAN THE RELEASE OF “THOUSANDS OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS…”
Tom Cotton: “I Don’t Believe We Should Allow Thousands Of Violent Felons To Be Released Early From Prison,
Nor Do I Believe We Should Reduce Sentences For Violent Offenders In The Future. It Would Be Very Dangerous
And Unwise To Proceed With The Senate Judiciary Bill, Which Would Lead To The Release Of Thousands Of
Violent Felons.” “I Don’t Believe We Should Allow Thousands Of Violent Felons To Be Released Early From Prison, Nor
Do I Believe We Should Reduce Sentences For Violent Offenders In The Future. It Would Be Very Dangerous And
Unwise To Proceed With The Senate Judiciary Bill, Which Would Lead To The Release Of Thousands Of Violent Felons.
…I Think It’s No Surprise That Republicans Are Divided On This Question … [But] I Don’t Think Any Republicans Want
Legislation That Is Going To Let Out Violent Felons, Which This Bill Would Do.” [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 2/8/16]
…A CLAIM THAT THE WASHINGTON POST CALLED “MISLEADING”
Washington Post Fact Checker: Cotton’s Claim That Reform Bill Would Release “Thousands” Of Violent
Criminals Was “Misleading” And Received Two Pinocchios. [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 2/8/16]
Washington Post Fact Checker: “Cotton Is Of The Opinion That Drug Traffickers Are Still ‘Violent Felons,’ Even
People Who Are Not Technically Convicted Of A Crime Of Violence.” [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 2/8/16]
Washington Post Fact Checker: “Cotton’s Claim Minimizes The Provisions In The Bill That Target Actual Violent
Offenders While Alleviating Excessive Sentences For Low-Level Drug Offenders.” “Cotton’s claim minimizes the
provisions in the bill that target actual violent offenders while alleviating excessive sentences for low-level drug
offenders…Even if all eligible inmates petition for a reduced sentence, the ultimate decision is with a federal judge.” [Fact
Checker, Washington Post, 2/8/16]
POLITICO SAID THAT COTTON HOPED TO “TORPEDO” CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
Politico: Tom Cotton Hoped To Block Criminal Justice Reform, One Of The Few Bills That Could Pass Congress.
“Sen. Tom Cotton, the hawkish upstart who’s already made waves on the Iran nuclear deal and government surveillance
programs, is now leading a new rebellion against a bipartisan effort to overhaul the criminal justice system — hoping to
torpedo one of the few pieces of major legislation that could pass Congress in President Barack Obama’s final year.”
[Politico, 1/25/16]
Politico: Tom Cotton Lobbied His Colleagues Against The Bill At A Closed Door Lunch In January. “GOP tensions
over a bill that would effectively loosen some mandatory minimum sentences spilled over during a party lunch last week,
when Cotton (R-Ark.), the outspoken Senate freshman, lobbied his colleagues heavily against the legislation, according to
people familiar with the closed-door conversation.” [Politico, 1/25/16]
TOM COTTON CALLED CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM A “MASSIVE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT IN CRIMINAL
LENIENCY”
Washington Examiner: Tom Cotton Called The Criminal Justice Reform Bill Is A “Massive Social Experiment In
Criminal Leniency" “Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on Tuesday blasted a Senate criminal justice reform bill as an attempt to
go easy on criminals, remarks that are the latest sign of the problems the Senate is having moving the bill. On the Senate
floor, Cotton called the bill a ‘massive social experiment in criminal leniency’ and introduced his own bill to study the
recidivism rates of criminals who are released early. ‘If supporters of this bill and President Obama are wrong, if this grand
experiment in criminal leniency goes awry, how many lives will be ruined?’ Cotton asked. ‘How many dead? How much of
the anti- crime progress of the last generation will be wiped away for the next?’” [Washington Examiner, 2/10/16]
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
Dallas Morning News: Senator John Cornyn Was Joined By Republican And Democratic Colleagues To Introduce
A Broad Criminal Justice Reform Bill. “After months of negotiations and delays, Sen. John Cornyn and eight United
States senators from across the political spectrum rolled out a comprehensive criminal justice bill Thursday, one of the
year’s most anticipated pieces of legislation targeting an issue with broad bipartisan interest. It was a rare moment of
unity, productivity and compromise on Capitol Hill in the midst of a chaotic week, and the effusive sponsors made sure
everyone knew.” [Dallas Morning News, 10/1/15]
TOM COTTON OFFERED TOKEN SUPPORT FOR REHABILITATION FOR RELEASED OFFENDERS
Siftings Herald: Cotton Said That The Focus Of Reform Should Be On Rehabilitation Programs For Those
Released. “Cotton believes more attention should be given to rehabilitation and redemption programs to help those upon
their release from prison. ‘It's in everyone's interest, not just the next con, but in our interest for that person to leave prison
with a skill, maybe a GED, maybe a marketable trade that will help them get away from a life of crime and get back on a
path of good citizenship to try to turn their lives around,’ Cotton said. In addition, Cotton believes more attention should be
shifted to drug treatment programs.” [Siftings Herald, 3/30/16]
TOM COTTON OPPOSED CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM DEPSITE ARKANSAS DETAINING A HIGH NUMBER OF
CHILD OFFENDERS
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange: “It Is Difficult To Understand Why Sen. [Tom] Cotton Would Be In Favor
Of A Policy That Those Of Us Who Work With Children And Families Every Day, And Whose Role It Is To Protect
The Public, Ensure Justice For Victims And Rehabilitate Children, So Vehemently Oppose.” “The JJDPA faces
opposition from only one senator — Tom Cotton of Arkansas. Cotton’s concern lies in the bill’s elimination of the Valid
Court Order (VCO) exception, a widely criticized provision that allows for children who commit status offenses to be
incarcerated in juvenile facilities. It is difficult to understand why Sen. Cotton would be in favor of a policy that those of us
who work with children and families every day, and whose role it is to protect the public, ensure justice for victims and
rehabilitate children, so vehemently oppose.” [Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, 4/13/16]
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange: Tom Cotton’s Home State Of Arkansas Detains Child Offenders, Despite
The Facts Showing It Is Cost Inefficient And Arkansas Being Investigated For The Practice. “Despite these facts,
Sen. Cotton’s home state of Arkansas continues to detain status offenders — some as young as 8 and 9 years old. As a
matter of fact, 50 percent of the youth incarcerated in Arkansas are there for status offenses. And shockingly, almost 90
percent of all youth in detention in Arkansas have been arrested for nonviolent offenses — most for a single,
misdemeanor offense. The cost of incarcerating these children in secure facilities in Arkansas is roughly $70,000 per year
per child. Clearly this is not a cost-effective solution to running away or skipping school… Arkansas’ state juvenile justice
practices are so out of step with the rest of the country that both the Bush administration and the Obama administration
have launched official investigations into their state juvenile justice practices.” [Juvenile Justice Information Exchange,
4/13/16]
Food Stamps
COTTON VOTED AGAINST A FARM BILL, BREAKING 40 YEARS OF PRECIDENT, BECAUSE HE CALLED IT
“FOOD STAMP BILL”
National Review: Tom Cotton Voted Against The Farm Bill, Calling It “A Food Stamp Bill.” “Pryor, for his part, will
knock Cotton’s record, which includes votes against the farm bill (Cotton condemns it as ‘a food-stamp bill’) and in favor of
Representative Paul Ryan’s budget plans. An anti-Cotton website sponsored by Pryor’s campaign portrays Cotton as
waging a political war on seniors and women.” [National Review, 5/28/14]
TOM COTTON MADE AN AD TOUTING HIS VOTE AGAINST THE BILL
Tom Cotton: “When President Obama Hijacked The Farm Bill, Turned It Into A Food Stamp Bill, With Billions
More In Spending, I Voted No. Career Politicians Love Attaching Bad Ideas To Good Ones. Then The Bad Ideas
Become Law—And You Pay For It.” “’When President Obama hijacked the farm bill, turned it into a food stamp bill, with
billions more in spending, I voted no. Career politicians love attaching bad ideas to good ones. Then the bad ideas
become law—and you pay for it.’ Here’s the explanation offered by Cotton spokesman David Ray: The House of
Representatives passed two bills –a farm-only farm bill and a food stamp-only bill, both of which Cotton supported. But
then he said that Obama threatened to veto the food stamp bill unless it was “loaded up with food stamps.” Not only that,
but Ray said that the level of food stamps has exploded under Obama.’” [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 9/23/14]
THE WASHINGTON POST CALLED THAT AD “A FANTASY VERSION OF HISTORY…”
Washington Post Fact Checker: “By Creating A Fantasy Version Of History, Cotton Certainly Sounds Like A
Career Politician. We Wavered Between Three And Four Pinocchios, But Cotton’s Self-Righteous Tone Tipped
This To Four.” “Cotton would be on more solid ground if he had looked into the camera and said that, despite a tradition
of merging food stamps in the farm bill, he was tired of the politics as usual and took a firm stand against the longstanding
practice. Instead, he uses President Obama as a straw man, suggesting the president purposely pushed Congress in a
different direction. By creating a fantasy version of history, Cotton certainly sounds like a career politician. We wavered
between Three and Four Pinocchios, but Cotton’s self-righteous tone tipped this to Four.” [Fact Checker, Washington
Post, 9/23/14]

Washington Post Fact Checker: “The Most Problematic Aspect Of Cotton’s Ad Is That He Suggests That
Attaching Food Stamps To The Farm Bill Was A New Idea—Something That He Was Fighting Against. But
That’s Invented History.” [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 9/23/14]
FACTCHECK CALLED IT AN ATTEMPT TO “REWRITE HISTORY
FactCheck.org: “In A New TV Ad, Rep. Tom Cotton Tries To Rewrite History With The Claim That President
Obama ‘Hijacked The Farm Bill, Turned It Into A Food Stamp Bill.’” [FactCheck.org, 9/24/14]

FactCheck.org: Cotton Supported Cuts To Food Stamps, Something The Compromise Farm Bill Did. “Cotton
wanted more cuts. The stand-alone food stamp bill he supported called for $39 billion in cuts to the program over 10
years. The Senate version of the farm bill would have reduced nutrition spending by $4 billion over the next 10 years.
As we noted, the compromise conference report ultimately agreed to by both chambers included an estimated $8
billion reduction. That reduction was largely a result of a more restrictive provision regarding food benefits tied to
heating and cooling allowances.” [FactCheck.org, 9/24/14]
POLITIFACT RATED TOM COTTON’S CLAIM “PANTS ON FIRE”
Politifact: “One Could Say That Cotton And His Allies In The House, By Seeking A Farm Bill Stripped Of Food
Stamp Provisions, Were Actually The Ones Taking A More Radical Step, One That Congress Ultimately Voted
Against. We Rate This Claim Pants On Fire.” [Politifact, 9/19/14]
TOM COTTON VOTED FOR AN AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE STATES TO TRACK FOOD BEING PURCHASED WITH
FOOD STAMPS
2013: Tom Cotton Voted For An Amendment That Would Start A Pilot Program In Nine States To Track Food
Purchased With Food Stamps. [H.Amdt. 199 to H.R. 1947, 113th Congress, 6/20/13]
IN AN AUDIO CLIP, TOM COTTON SUGGESTED HE SUPPORTED DRUG TESTING FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS…
Tom Cotton Suggested He Thinks Food Stamp Recipients Should Be Drug Tested. SCHULTZ: “Welcome back to
the Ed show. This is the story for the folks who take a shower after work. Food security is at the center of one of tightest
senate races in the country. Incumbent Senator from Arkansas Mark Pryor is in a tough race against Tea Party
Congressman Tom Cotton. Senator Pryor has made ending poverty a priority. He`s trying to keep food on the table of
every vulnerable person in Arkansas while Tom Cotton is painting them as addicts.” (BEGIN AUDIO CLIP) REP. TOM
COTTON, (R) ARKANSAS: “I don`t think we should be using farmers as a way to pack more welfare spending into Barack
Obama`s government. Nor should we have a food stamp program that isn`t reformed. That doesn`t have job training, and
work requirements. That doesn`t have drug testing requirements.” [The Ed Show, MSNBC, 10/16/14]
Medicaid
TOM COTTON BELIEVES MEDICAID HURTS THE PEOPLE IT TRIES TO HELP
WND Radio: Tom Cotton Believed That Medicaid Hurts The People It Tries To Help. “Well Obamacare, like so many
programs that liberals in Washington designed to help the poor or the struggling, actually end up hurting the people
they’re trying to help. If you look at Medicaid, individuals who are on Medicaid have some of the worst health outcomes of
anyone in America. And it’s not something we should celebrate or certainly that we should try to expand as a part as
Obamacare does. We should create an economy where those people can find a good, high paying job with benefits they
need to pay for themselves and their families.” [WND Radio, 8/30/12]
COTTON VOTED FOR A BUDGET WITH DEEP CUTS TO MEDICAID
Tom Cotton Praised The Ryan Budget For Reforming Medicare And Medicaid. “On health and entitlement programs
like Medicare and Medicaid, it addresses the spending crisis that those programs face. Medicare, you know, unless we do
something to change it, is going to go bankrupt within ten years. Medicaid is currently in bankrupting state governments,
like our state for instance.” [Tom Cotton, Hot Springs Town Hall, 3/25/13]
TOM COTTON VOTED FOR FY2014 THE RYAN BUDGET…
March 2013: Tom Cotton Voted for FY 2014 Ryan Budget [H Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #88, 3/21/13]
…WHICH INCLUDEDED DEEP CUTS TO MEDICAID
Bloomberg News: GOP Budget Included Deep Cuts to Medicaid, Food Stamps, Agriculture Subsidies and Pell
Grants. “The plan reiterates his previous calls for deep cuts in Medicaid, the health-care program for the poor, as well as
in food stamps, agriculture subsidies, federal workers’ benefits, Pell college tuition grants and many other programs.”
[Bloomberg News, 3/12/13]

Politico: GOP Budget Turns Medicaid and Food Stamp Program Into Block Grants. “Ryan is also
sticking with his plan to change Medicaid into block grants to the states, saving $756 billion over 10 years.
He’d change the food stamp program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to block grants as
well.” [Politico, 3/12/13]
Welfare
COTTON “TOO MANY PEOPLE” TRY TO MAKE A LIVING FROM PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
El Dorado News-Times: Too Many People Try To Cobble Together A Living From Public Assistance Programs.
“‘Too many people try to cobble together a living from public assistance programs, when the best anti-poverty program is
a job,’ he said. ‘... Budgets can seem like boring, dry documents, but when you step back and look at the basic values
they reflect, it's really one of the most important things Congress does.’” [El Dorado News-Times, 4/3/13]
El Dorado News-Times: We Spend Too Much Time And Money On Anti-Poverty Programs. “Securing the border
and enforcing immigration laws are a core federal responsibility, and we do it poorly. We have dozens of federal antipoverty programs that we spend too much time and too much money on. It distracts from the attention and the resources
that responsible federal officials can dedicate to what's purely federal as opposed to what should be predominantly state
and local matters.” [El Dorado News-Times, 6/29/12]
COTTON BELIEVES THAT FRAUD IS THE REASON FOR SPENDING GROWTH IN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS
Tom Cotton Attributed Spending Growth In Entitlement Programs To Fraud. At a Malvern Town Hall, Cotton said:
“So there are a lot of programs that are in the so-called mandatory side of the budget – which means they don’t require
mandatory appropriation. Program… you mentioned one, unemployment insurance, food stamps, disability, Medicaid,
again all started with the noblest of intentions. Programs that provide an important social safety net for those who truly
need them, but programs now that have seen explosive growth because they’re riddled with fraud.” [Tom Cotton, Malvern
Town Hall, 3/30/13]
Tom Cotton: People Who Need Assistance From Entitlement Programs Don’t Get It Because Of Fraud. At a
Malvern Town Hall, Cotton said: “Which doesn’t just mean that we’re driving the country further into debt, but we’re not
providing the assistance to people who actually need it. People who are genuinely disabled for instance, who are suffering
from degenerative conditions that require 10, or 12, or 14 hours of care a day. They’re not getting that care because
people who are committing fraud against the disability system are taking money out of the system.” [Tom Cotton Malvern
Town Hall, 3/30/13]
TOM COTTON SUGGESTED THAT INCREASES IN SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS IN A COMMUNITY
ARE LINKED TO DRUG ADDICTION AND INCREASES IN CRIME
New York Daily News: In A Speech At The Heritage Foundation, Tom Cotton Said That An Increase In Social
Security Disability Benefits In A Community Are Linked To Heroin And Meth Addiction, As Well As An Increase In
“Associated Crime” “Social Security disability benefits are gateway drugs that lead to heroin and meth addictions, an
Arkansas lawmaker said Monday. Republican Sen. Tom Cotton linked the downfall of nearly two dozen counties in
Arkansas to the climb in Social Security Disability Insurance during an appearance before conservative think tank,
Heritage Foundation, in Washington, D.C. ‘Population continues to fall, and a downward spiral kicks in, driving once
thriving communities into decline,’ he said. ‘Not only that, but once this kind of spiral begins, communities could begin to
suffer other social plagues, such as heroin or meth addiction and associated crime.’” [New York Daily News, 11/10/15]
Bad For Latinos
Immigration Reform, DREAM Act
TOM COTTON SAID WE CAN’T OFFER AMNESTY EVEN TO THE MOST SYMPATHETIC CASE
Tom Cotton: We Can’t Make Policy Decisions On Illegal Immigration Based On The “Sympathetic Case” “I
understand the position that a lot of people take on this, because there are very sympathetic cases in the world. You
know, a child who was brought here when he was two or three or four and is therefore not an illegal immigrant, has lived
here all his life, knows nothing about this country, has worked hard, has done well in school. But we can’t write laws
based on a few sympathetic cases. We have to write laws based on the general case and the incentives we’re creating for
future generations.” [Breaking It Down With DT, 9/22/11]
COTTON OPPOSED THE BIPARTISAN SENATE IMMIGRATION BILL IN 2013, AS WELL AS LEGAL STATUS FOR
DREAMERS
Gannett: Tom Cotton Was Opposed To Immigration Reform Passed By The Senate. “Arkansas Rep. Tom Cotton
isn't swayed by the bipartisan coalition that passed a comprehensive immigration bill in the Senate or the warnings by
senior Republicans that the GOP needs to act on the issue to appeal to Latino voters. ‘The Senate approach is
legalization first and enforcement later, maybe -- but probably never,’ Cotton said in an interview with Capital Download,
USA TODAY's weekly newsmaker video series…’ "If they insist upon legalization before any of those steps, then it is not
likely that we are going to pass real and valuable immigration reform this Congress,’ he says.” [Gannett, 7/16/13]
Washington Examiner: Cotton Said He Would Only Support Border Enforcement Bills, No Legalization Bills
Unless There Were Separate. Examiner: “What should House Republicans do next?” Cotton: “I would say we are not
going to go to conference with these bills unless the Senate agrees to drop its legalization-first approach…. Examiner:
What if they did put security first, would you be open to legalization?” Cotton: “There has to be security in place and
actually effective. We have to see a fence in place actually stopping illegal immigration.” Examiner: “What if they wrote a
bill that put actual security measures in place first? Could you support that?” Cotton: “Not in that bill. There has to be
enforcement in place, working, so the American people can see it working, and it's like physical objective enforcement.
Not programs, or milestones, or strategy or anything else. Enforcement in place. And then once it is in place, and it has
been demonstrated to be effective, then at that point.” Examiner: “Sounds like that would have to be a separate bill?”
Cotton: “Yes. Separate vote in a separate conference.” [Washington Examiner, 7/17/13]
Gannett: Cotton Opposed Legal Status For DREAMERs. “His opposition to establishing a way to achieve legal status
extends to the ‘Dreamers,’ the young people who have grown up in the United States after being brought here by their
parents. ‘We'd have to know that we aren't encouraging the next wave of illegal immigration,’ he said. ‘If you're a mom or
dad and you see the opportunity that has been provided to someone else's child who took them to the United States
illegally, to become a legal American and maybe a citizen, who wouldn't take that risk?’” [Gannett, 7/16/13]
AS A CANDIDATE, TOM COTTON SAID HE WOULD DENY FEDERAL FUNDS TO SANCTUARY CITIES…
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Promised To Vote To Deny Federal Funds To “Sanctuary Cities.” Cotton wrote
on his website: “I will also vote to deny federal funds to so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ that try to block enforcement of our
immigration laws.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]
…AS A SENATOR, HE BACKED UP THOSE WORDS
National Journal: Tom Cotton Tried To Attach Amendments To An Education Bill That Would Have Stripped
Funding From “Sanctuary Cities” “Republican Sens. Tom Cotton and David Vitter tried to attach amendments to a
Senate education bill last week that would have halted federal immigration funding to areas that don't comply with
immigration enforcement.” [National Journal, 7/21/15]
The Hill: Tom Cotton Introduced Legislation In The Wake Of The Death Of A Women In San Francisco To
Withhold Grants From “Sanctuary Cities” “Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Wednesday introduced legislation to withhold
certain federal grants from sanctuary cities — a concept approved by House Republicans on the Judiciary Committee in
March.” [The Hill, 7/9/15]
Benefits For Undocumented Immigrants
TOM COTTON BELIEVES THAT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS SHOULD NOT RECEIVE ANY BENEFITS
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Would Oppose Any Efforts To Provide In-State Tuition Or Drivers’ Licenses To
Undocumented Immigrants. “Also, we must improve enforcement of our country’s immigration laws. I will oppose all
efforts to provide in-state tuition, driver licenses, and social-welfare benefits to illegal aliens.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]
Tom Cotton Opposed In-State Tuition Benefits For Undocumented Immigrants. “I am opposed to providing in-state
tuition benefits for illegal immigrants. I’m opposed to using any kind of public monies or public benefits programs for it.”
[Breaking It Down With DT, 9/22/11]
Pine Bluff Commercial: Tom Cotton Said Immigrants In The United States Illegally Should Not Receive Any Social
Services. “Cotton is opposed to granting either full or partial immunity to illegal aliens and thinks they should receive ‘no
government social services.’” [Pine Bluff Commercial, 3/15/12]
Tom Cotton Said That Offering Any Benefits To Illegal Immigrants Would Just Encourage More People To Come
Here Illegally. “We had an amnesty in 1986, we were supposed to get enforcement and we didn’t. If we have any kind of
amnesty now, whether it’s a general amnesty, whether it’s a limited amnesty in giving things like in-state tuition breaks or
other kinds of public benefits, sure, it may satisfy our deepest moral instincts in those hard cases, but all we’re doing is
creating giant incentives in the coming years for more illegal immigrations to come. Because they signal we’re sending is
we don’t have the political willpower to enforce our borders and to enforce our laws of naturalization.” [Breaking It Down
With DT, 9/22/11]
IN HIS SENATE CAMPAIGN TOM COTTON FALSELY STATE THAT SENATOR MARK PRYOR VOTED TO LET
UNDDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS GET SOCIAL SECURITY…
Washington Post Fact Checker: A Cotton Campaign Ad Claimed Mark Pryor Voted To Let Undocumented
Immigrants Get Social Security. “You worked hard, all your life. You paid into Social Security. You counted on it being
there — for you. But liberals in Washington want to let illegal immigrants get Social Security for work they did with forged
identities. And when they needed one vote, they got it — from Sen. Mark Pryor. On illegal immigration, Mark Pryor never
takes your side.” [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 9/8/14]
…THE WASHINGTON POST FACT CHECKER GAVE THAT STATEMENT ITS HIGHEST RATING FOR FALSEHOOD,
“FOUR PINOCCHIOS”
Washington Post Fact Checker: The Cotton Campaign’s Claim Was Debunked Years Ago And Received Four
Pinocchios. “Why would a campaign rehash a claim that has been so thoroughly discredited? Polls clearly must show
that the allegation moves voters, enough so the campaign tries to bulldoze past the facts…For reviving a long-discredited
claim, in the face of contrary facts, the Cotton campaign earns Four Pinocchios.” [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 9/8/14]
SENATOR PRYOR VOTED AGAINST SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
MULTIPLE TIMES IN 2007 AND 2013
Washington Post Fact Checker: Undocumented Workers Do Not Get Social Security Benefits, Even Working
Under Forged Social Security Numbers. “Undocumented workers are not eligible for Social Security. Yet with few
exceptions, workers in the United States must pay a portion of their earnings to Social Security, which is matched by their
employer. Thus workers in the country illegally who have fraudulent or unauthorized Social Security numbers are paying
into the system, but do not get any benefits.” [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 9/8/14]
Washington Post Fact Checker: During The 2007 Bipartisan Immigration Reform Debate, Pryor Cast The Deciding
Vote With The Bipartisan Coalition For Reform To Defeat A Poison Pill Amendment Offered By Senator Ensign.
“The newspaper described how Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), a foe of the immigration bill, “took the bill’s core supporters by
surprise” by offering an amendment that would prevent undocumented immigrants in the United States from claiming
Social Security credit for the years they worked with forged Social Security numbers. The move was intended to break
apart a fragile bipartisan coalition for the bill…In other word’s Pryor’s vote was part of an effort to defeat a poison pill
amendment — and he was joined by a number of Republicans who wanted to keep the bill intact.” [Fact Checker,
Washington Post, 9/8/14]
Washington Post Fact Checker: Later In 2007, When Senator Ensign Offered His Amendment Twice More And An
Altered Version One More Time, Pryor Voted For Ensign’s Amendments All Three Times. “But that’s not the whole
story. In 2007, Ensign twice offered a version of his amendment again — and both times, Pryor voted for it. When Ensign
altered his proposal so that it barred the Social Security Administration from spending money to process such back claims
from formerly undocumented immigrants, he scored an overwhelming 92-2 victory.” [Fact Checker, Washington Post,
9/8/14]
Washington Post Fact Checker: During The Immigration Debate Of 2013, Pryor Cosponsored And Voted For The
Original Ensign Amendment. “That’s still not the end of the story. Remember the 2013 debate over a comprehensive
immigration law? Yet another amendment sought to make the ban on receiving past credit permanent (the Ensign
Amendment, after all, just prevents the spending of money to process claims). Pryor not only voted for this amendment,
but he was listed as a cosponsor as well.” [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 9/8/14]
Bad For Youth
Student Loans
TOM COTTON WAS THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE ARKANSAS DELEGATION TO VOTE AGAINST LOWERING
STUDENT INTEREST RATES…
Politico: Tom Cotton Was The Only Member Of The Arkansas Congressional Delegation Who Voted Against
Lowering Student Interest Rates “Cotton was also the lone member of the state’s congressional delegation to oppose a
compromise to slash student interest rates — even though he took federal Stafford loans during his time at Harvard. ‘I
support the student loan program; what I don’t support are politicians and bureaucrats dictating down to the decimal point
the interest rates on student loans,’ Cotton said. ‘It’s making [education] more expensive.’” [Politico, 6/17/14]
…WHICH IS HYPOCRITICAL BECAUSE TOM COTTON TOOK FEDERAL LOANS TO GO TO HARVARD
Politico: Tom Cotton Took Federal Stafford Loans While At Harvard. “Cotton was also the lone member of the state’s
congressional delegation to oppose a compromise to slash student interest rates — even though he took federal Stafford
loans during his time at Harvard.” [Politico, 6/17/14]
DURING A DEBATE, TOM COTTON SAID THAT OBAMACARE “NATIONALIZED THE STUDENT LOAN
INSUSTRY”…
Talking Points Memo: Tom Cotton Said During A Debate That “Obamacare Nationalized The Student Loan
Industry.” [Talking Points Memo, 10/14/14]
…AN ASSERTION THAT GOT 4 PINOCCHIOS FROM THE WASHINGTON POST WHEN SENATOR LAMAR
ALEXANDER MADE THE SAME CLAIM
Washington Post: Lamar Alexander’s Charge That Student Loans Are Paying For Obamacare Was “Bogus” And
Earned A Four Pinocchios Rating. “Now let’s look at another claim regarding these loans—that students are being
overcharged to pay for the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare… When the health-care law was passed in 2010,
Democrats slipped in massive changes to student-loan programs, essentially cutting banks out of the business…
Alexander’s opinion of the health law aside, his assertion that college students are being “overcharged” to pay for the
health law doesn’t add up. The numbers involved are too small to warrant this rhetoric—and even then, you only have
money to spend if you ignore CBO’s warnings about possible problems in the accounting method mandated by
Congress… In other words, the entire frame of Alexander’s argument is bogus… In light of new information, we are
changing this to Four Pinocchios.” [Washington Post, 7/17/13]
EVEN BEFORE HE RAN FOR THE SENATE, TOM COTTON OPPOSED STUDENT LOAN REFORM, SAYING IT
CAUSED TUITION TO RISE
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tom Cotton Blamed Rising Tuition Prices On Student Loan Reform. “Cotton said
rising tuition prices are a result of ‘the failed policies of Barack Obama's administration.’ He pointed to a provision of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which made the federal
government the only lender of federally backed student loans. ‘What that does is take all student loans and put it in the
hands of the federal government,’ he said. ‘This is the way a government program always works, more efficiently than the
private sector, right? Not really. If banks can give loans for cars or for home mortgages they can do so for student loans
as well,’ he said.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/7/12]
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tom Cotton Said If Banks Provided Student Loans, Colleges And Universities
Would Keep Tuition Down. “Cotton said if banks could provide student loans again it would put pressure on colleges
and universities to keep tuition costs down and compete.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/7/12]
COTTON VOTED AGAINST A REPUBLICAN-BACKED PLAN TO LET STUDENT LOAN RATES FLOAT – A VOTE
THAT WAS TOO EXTREME FOR HIS OWN PARTY
May 2013: Tom Cotton Was One Of 8 Republicans And 190 Democrats To Vote Against A Republican Plan To
Allow Student Loan Interest Rates To Float. [H.R. 1911, Vote #83, 113th Congress, 5/23/13]
Roll Call: The NRCC Criticized Congressmen Who Against The Republican Student Loan Reform Plan, Which
Included Cotton “The National Republican Congressional Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee each blasted the other side after a near party-line vote on the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, which
passed the House on Thursday, 221-198. But eight House Republicans voted with the Democrats, and four House
Democrats voted with the Republicans, creating a situation where 12 House members were indirectly attacked by their
own party’s campaign committee… Those Republicans included Mo Brooks of Alabama, Vern Buchanan of Florida, Tom
Cotton of Arkansas, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Tom Graves of Georgia, Michael G. Grimm of New York, Walter B. Jones of
North Carolina and Marlin Stutzman of Indiana.” [Roll Call, 5/24/13]
AS A LAW CLERK, TOM COTTON CLERKED FOR A JUDGE WHO REFUSED TO ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL TO FILE
BANKRUPTCY TO DISCHARGE STUDENT LOANS
Judge Smith Wrote The Opinion Ruling Against Filing Bankruptcy To Discharge Student Loans. “Daniel Murphy
borrowed approximately $55,000 in federally guaranteed loans to attend institutions of higher learning. Shortly after
receiving and L.L.M. degree, he filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy. The bankruptcy court held that 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(8) bars
him from discharging any of those loans in bankruptcy, because he obtained them to finance his education and signed
promissory notes reflecting that purpose. The district court affirmed, and, finding no error, we also affirm.” [U.S. Fifth
Circuit Court of Appeals, case 01-10516, 3/5/02]
Pell Grants
THROUGH HIS SUPPORT OF THE RYAN BUDGETS AND REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE BUDGETS, TOM
COTTON HAS REPEATEDLY SUPPORTED CUTS IN PELL GRANTS…
IN FY 2012…
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Supported Ryan’s “Path To Prosperity” Budget And The Republican Study
Committee’s Honest Solutions Budget.” “But we must also take action now to stop spending and borrowing—that’s
why I support plans like Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity budget and the Republican Study Committee’s Honest Solutions
budget.” [Tomcotton.com, 9/14/11]

National Journal: Ryan’s 2012 Budget Would Have Halved Pell Grant Funding. “House Budget Committee
Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has called for drastic cuts in Pell Grants to ‘pre-stimulus’ levels, which could more
than halve the money available.” [National Journal, 8/1/11]
… IN FY 2013…
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tom Cotton Supported Both The FY 2013 Ryan Plan And The Republican Study
Committee Plan. “For his part, Tom Cotton says he supports either the Paul Ryan plan or something called the
Republican Study Committee plan.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/29/12]

Republican Study Committee Budget: The RSC Budget Would Allow Pell Grants To Collect Interest
During Enrollment And Deny Grants To Adjust To Inflation. [RSC Budget, March 2013]
Office Of Management And Budget: The FY2013 Ryan Budget Would Cut Pell Grants By More Than $1,000 For 9.6
Million Students. “The Department of Education would be cut by more than $115 billion over a decade. 9.6 million
students would see their Pell Grants fall by more than $1000 in 2014, and, over the next decade, over one million
students would lose support altogether. This would derail bipartisan education reforms and deeply undermine K-12
education and college opportunity,” [Office of Management and Budget, 3/21/12]
…AND IN FY 2014…
March 2013: Tom Cotton Voted for FY 2014 Ryan Budget [H Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #88, 3/21/13]
Bloomberg News: The Ryan Budget Included Deep Cuts to Medicaid, Food Stamps, Agriculture Subsidies and
Pell Grants. “The plan reiterates his previous calls for deep cuts in Medicaid, the health-care program for the poor, as
well as in food stamps, agriculture subsidies, federal workers’ benefits, Pell college tuition grants and many other
programs.” [Bloomberg News, 3/12/13]

Inside Higher Ed: The Ryan Budget Would Adjust the Pell Grant’s Needs Analysis Formula “Making
Fewer Students Eligible.” “The budget also calls for reversing changes to the grant’s needs analysis formula
put into place in 2007, which expanded the number of students eligible for Pell Grants, in essence making
fewer students eligible to receive them. It also revisits proposals put forward last year: using “fair value”
accounting for student loans, which makes the program seem much less profitable for the federal government
than it does under current accounting rules.” [Inside Higher Ed, 3/13/13]
Climate Change
TOM COTTON OPPOSES ANY CAP-AND-TRADE MEASURES
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Opposeed “All Forms” Of A Cap-And-Trade Scheme. “I strongly oppose all forms
of a “cap and trade” schemes, which are nothing more than a massive new tax on energy. Cap and trade would handcuff
our economy and make America less competitive in the world, because emerging markets like China and India will never
adopt such a destructive tax. Manufacturers will move to those countries, which will also cost American jobs. I will fight
tirelessly against cap and trade, both in Congress and against the EPA’s abusive use of the Clean Air Act to implement
cap and trade unilaterally.” [Cotton For Congress, 9/14/11]
Tom Cotton: Cap And Trade Is “Draconian” And Would Not Solve Global Warming. “Cap and trade has bounced
around Washington for four or five years. It really is an energy tax. It would say that there’s a cap on a certain level of
carbon emissions, whether it’s oil, gas, coal, or so forth, which is draconian, would severely impact economic growth. And
it wouldn’t really solve the problem it’s trying to solve of global warming.” [Tom Cotton Malvern Town Hall, 3/30/13] (video)
Tom Cotton Believed That Cap And Trade Would Cause Economic Activity To Shift To China And India, Therefore
Exacerbating Greenhouse Gas Pollution. At a Malvern Town Hall, Cotton said: “We could pass a law like [cap and
trade] here in the United States and most of that economic activity would not just stop. It would move. It would go to
places like China and India. Which, ironically, have lower pollution controls than do the United States. And it is after all
global warming, not United States warming, global warming. So if we’re moving manufacturing capacity to China, or to
India, countries that have worse air quality standards than the United States, not only are we not solving the problem, we
are probably making it worse because they will not have the same kind of emission control standards that we have here in
the United States. So, I don’t support any kind of energy tax. I will oppose it very strongly.” [Tom Cotton Malvern Town
Hall, 3/30/13] (video)
TOM COTTON OPPOSED A CARBON TAX
2013: Cotton Co-Sponsored A Resolution Expressing The Sense That A Carbon Tax Would Be Detrimental To
The Economy. [H. Con. Res. 24, 113th Congress, co-sponsored 3/14/13]
TOM COTTON BELIEVES ANY BILL TARGETING CLIMATE CHANGE WOULD BE A TAX
Southwest Times Record: Tom Cotton Said A Climate Change Bill Would Be A New Energy Tax On Oil, Gas, And
Coal, “Which Are The Cheapest And Most Plentiful Energy Sources We Have.” “‘Obama talked about the need for a
climate change bill last week and that is really just a new energy tax on oil, gas and coal, which are the cheapest and
most plentiful energy resources we have.’” [Southwest Times Record, 2/21/13]
Bad For Middle Class
Medicare
A CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS, TOME COTTON SUPPORTED THE FY2012 RYAN BUDGET [AKA “PATH TO
PROSPERITY”] AND REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE BUDGET
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tom Cotton Supported Both The Ryan Plan And The Republican Study Committee
Plan. “For his part, Tom Cotton says he supports either the Paul Ryan plan or something called the Republican Study
Committee plan.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/29/12]
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Supported Paul Ryan’s “Path To Prosperity” Budget And The Republican
Study Committee’s Honest Solutions Budget.” According to Cotton’s Website, “But we must also take action now to
stop spending and borrowing—that’s why I support plans like Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity budget and the Republican
Study Committee’s Honest Solutions budget.” [Tomcotton.com, 9/14/11]





Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget: The Republican Study Committee Budget Would Increase The
Eligibility Age For Medicare And Increase The Social Security Retirement Age To 70 For Younger Workers.
“The RSC's Medicare plan includes a slightly more aggressive approach to raising the eligibility age, but is otherwise
the same as the Chairman's proposal -- except that the RSC's premium support plan begins in 2017 as opposed to
2022. The RSC also proposes to gradually raise the Social Security normal retirement age to 70 for younger workers.”
[Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget, 4/7/11]
Washington Post: The FY2012 Ryan Budget Would End Medicare In 2022 And Raise The Eligibility Age From
65 To 67. “Starting in 2022, Ryan also would end Medicare as an open-ended entitlement for new retirees and begin
slowly raising the age of eligibility from 65 to 67.” [Washington Post, 4/15/11]
Washington Post: Instead Of Medicare, “Retirees Could Choose A Private Policy On A Newly Established
Medicare Exchange.” Under Paul Ryan’s Budget. [Washington Post, 4/15/11]
Washington Post: Under The Ryan Budget “The Government Would Pay “Premium Support” Worth About
$8,000 Directly To The Selected Insurance Provider, With The Wealthiest Retirees Receiving About A Third Of
That Amount.” [Washington Post, 4/5/11]
Politifact: Despite What Republicans Say About The FY 2012 Ryan Budget, Premium Support Sounds Like A
Voucher. “Does this mean Ryan’s plan is not a voucher system? Gingrey spokeswoman Jen Talaber offered two
main arguments to back up his statement: One: The government pays, not the senior ‘Premium support means the
senior picks from a list of government-approved plans and then the government pays the bill,’ Talaber said. This
argument falls short. Early proponents of premium support did not consider this to be a defining characteristic of the
system. Even if they did, this type of approach would still fit the dictionary definition of ‘voucher,’ which we described
above…[Health Policy Expert Henry] Aaron himself told PolitiFact National that he thinks "premium support is a type
of voucher." [Politifact, 9/17/12]
TOM COTTON WAS HAPPY TO RUN AND WIN ON THE RYAN BUDGET
The New York Times: Tom Cotton Said He Is Ready To Fight For The Ryan Plan And Win – “We Have To Win This
Debate” “Tom Cotton, a rising Republican star in Arkansas running for the seat of Representative Mike Ross, a Democrat
who is retiring, said his opponent had tried to label him a Ryan ‘clone.’ It will not work in his Republican-leaning district, he
said, but other candidates are struggling. Still, he said, most candidates are ready to fight for Mr. Ryan's plan. ‘They
recognize, as the House members already there recognize, we have to have this debate, and we have to win this debate,’
Mr. Cotton said, recalling ambush training he had in the Army when soldiers were drilled to face an attack head-on. ‘This
is the most predictable ambush in politics. You don't duck and cover. You turn and face it.’” [New York Times, 9/1/12]
IN FY2013, TOM COTTON SUPPORTED BOTH THE RYAN BUDGET AND THE REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE
BUDGET AGAIN, BOTH OF WHICH TURNED MEDICARE INTO A VOUCHER
March 2013: Tom Cotton Voted for FY 2014 Ryan Budget That Restructured Medicare as “Premium Support
System [H Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #88, 3/21/13]
March 2013: Cotton Voted For Republican Study Committee Budget [H Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #86,
3/20/13]

The Hill: Republican Study Committee Budget Would Turn Medicare Into A Voucher Program For Those
59 And Younger While The Ryan Budget Would Do The Same At 54. “The key difference between the two
proposals [the RSC and Ryan budgets] is the plan to overhaul Medicare. While Ryan calls for implementing his

‘premium support’ plan for future beneficiaries age 54 and younger, the RSC budget would start the change for
people 59 and below.” [The Hill, 3/15/13]
Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget: The Republican Study Committee Budget Would Raise
The Social Security Eligibility Age To 67 And Medicare Eligibility Age To 70. “ [Committee For A
Responsible Federal Budget, 3/28/12]
IN FY2014, TOM COTTON VOTED FOR THE RYAN BUDGET, WHICH TURNED MEDICARE INTO A VOUCHER
SYSTEM
March 2013: Tom Cotton Voted for FY 2014 Ryan Budget That Restructured Medicare as “Premium Support
System [H Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #88, 3/21/13]
Cotton Email: Tom Cotton Said He Was “Proud” To Have Supported The FY 2014 Ryan Budget, Which He
Claimed “Protects And Preserves” Social Security And Medicare. “If you saw me over this district work period,
chances are you heard me talk about the budget. Last month, my Republican colleagues in the House and I passed a
budget that balances within ten years, while simultaneously lowering tax rates by closing loopholes. It protects and
preserves health and retirement programs like Social Security and Medicare for future generations and restores important
funding to our Armed Forces. To some it may seem a little dry, but I believe passing a budget is one of the most important
things Congress does. I’m proud to have supported Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) in his efforts.” [Cotton
Email, 4/9/13]

Politico: GOP Budget Revives Controversial Proposal to Convert Medicare Into Voucher System. “It
revives Ryan’s controversial proposal to convert Medicare into a system of limited subsidies to help seniors
buy private insurance or traditional Medicare coverage, and again reaps more than $700 billion in Medicare
savings from Obamacare that he criticized on the campaign trail as Romney’s running mate. He would also
expand means-testing of Medicare premiums for wealthy seniors, an idea he notes has been endorsed by
Obama in the past.” [Politico, 3/12/13]
AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE SENATE, TOM COTTON SAID HE WOULD PROTECT MEDICARE FOR CURRENT
RETIREES AND THOSE APPROACHING RETIRMENT…
Tom Cotton: “The Answer To Your Question Is: I Will Make No Changes To The Current [Medicare] System For
Current Retirees And Anyone Approaching Retirement." [Politifact, 1/16/14]
…BUT BY SUPPORTING A REPAL OF OBAMACARE, POLITIFACT FOUND THAT STATEMENT “FALES”
Politifact: Tom Cotton Said That He Would Not Make Changes To Medicare For Current Retirees Or Those About
To Retire. He Has Not Made Specific Commitments On Policy. Politifact Rated His Statement “False.”
“Cotton said that under his platform, he ‘will make no changes to the current (Medicare) system for current retirees and
anyone approaching retirement.’ Cotton has consistently supported repeal of Obamacare, and while he has sometimes
noted that something needs to be enacted to ‘replace’ the law, we couldn’t find any examples in which he specifically
pledged to protect the Medicare policies that would be eliminated if the law was repealed, such as the closing of the
doughnut hole and free preventive health-care services. We rate his claim False.” [Politifact, 1/16/14]
Politifact: Cotton Supported The Repeal Of Obamacare, But Has Not Said What “Medicare Policies That Would Be
Reinstated After A Repeal.” “Cotton’s staff didn’t return an inquiry from PolitiFact, but we found lots of examples of
Cotton arguing that Obamacare should be repealed…It’s worth noting that, at times, Cotton has expressed a desire to
"replace" the newly repealed law with something else. However, we’ve failed to uncover an instance in which Cotton
provided a detailed description of the Medicare policies that would be reinstated after a repeal.” [Politifact, 1/16/14]
Politifact: Repealing Obamacare Would Reopen The Medicare Drug “Doughnut Hole” And Make Changes That
Would Impact Current Medicare Recipients. “The highest-profile element of the law that would disappear in the event
of a full repeal is the closing of the ‘doughnut hole.’ The law made strides to ease the previous, longstanding gap in
coverage for beneficiaries in which they weren’t able to get government subsidies for prescription drug purchases under
Medicare Part D. However, this isn’t the only example of a benefit included in the Affordable Care Act that would
disappear for those currently on Medicare if the law is repealed and replacement provisions aren’t specifically enacted.
Here are others, gleaned from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s summary of the health care law:
• Elimination of cost-sharing for Medicare-covered preventive services.
• Authorization of Medicare coverage of "personalized prevention plan services," including an annual, comprehensive
health-risk assessment.
• Incentives to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to complete behavior-modification programs, such as smoking
cessation.
• Reduction in the out-of-pocket amount that qualifies an enrollee for catastrophic coverage for prescriptions.
• Expansion of Medicare coverage to individuals who have been exposed to environmental health hazards from living in
an area subject to an emergency declaration made as of June 17, 2009, and have developed certain health conditions as
a result.
• Prohibition of Medicare Advantage plans from imposing higher cost-sharing requirements for some Medicare-covered
benefits than is required under the traditional fee-for-service program.
In other words, current Medicare beneficiaries would feel a significant impact if a replacement law is not forthcoming after
a repeal. We see no evidence that Cotton has pledged to protect any of these specific provisions in the wake of a repeal.”
[Politifact, 1/16/14]
TOM COTTON HAS PRAISED PAUL RYAN REPEATEDLY
Southwest Times Record: Tom Cotton Called Paul Ryan “Our Party’s Leader” In Solving The Debt Crisis And His
Budget Will Save Medicare. According to the Southwest Times Record, “’Paul is our party’s leader on our country’s
most urgent challenge: solving our looming debt crisis. Paul’s budget will reverse the reckless Obama spending, save
Medicare, and put America back on the path to prosperity,’ wrote Republican 4th District congressional candidate Tom
Cotton.” [Southwest Times Record, 8/15/2012]
WND Radio: Tom Cotton Said That Leaders Like Paul Ryan Are Focused On “Serious Solutions To Problems Like
Medicare.” “But we’re now party in the House of leaders like Paul Ryan, and I hope to become a part of that new
generation of leadership who is focused on fiscal restraint, on serious solutions to problems like Medicare, pro-growth
economic reform of our tax code and our regulatory structure, not some of the pork barrel spending that we saw in the last
decade.” [WND Radio, 8/30/12]
Social Security
TOM COTTON HAS BEEN FUZZY ON WHETHER HE WANTS TO PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY OR NOT…
Cotton For Congress: In Addition To Supporting The Ryan Plan, Cotton Explained That He Wanted To Add
Consumer Choice And Competition To Medicaid, Medicare And Social Security. “And I will work to save and
strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security by introducing consumer choice and competition before these
important programs collapse under the burden of debt.” [TomCotton.com, 09/14/2011]
El Dorado News-Times: Cotton Favors “Introducing Competition And Choice” To Medicare And Social Security
For Future Retirees. “’We owe it to our seniors to protect Social Security and Medicare if they're on those programs now
or they're approaching those programs,’ he said. ‘But for people in my generation, we have to reform, we have to
introduce more competition and choice.’” [El Dorado News-Times, 11/2/11]
Politico: When Asked If Social Security Should Be Privatized, Tom Cotton Said No But Then When Asked Again
About Personalized “-Or Privatized-“ Social Security Accounts, Cotton Said “Everything Needs To Be On The
Table.” “When Cotton was asked whether he believed Social Security should be privatized, he responded, ‘I wouldn’t say
that,’ before advocating for gradually raising the retirement age to 70. But in response to a follow-up question about
whether taxpayers should be allowed to have personalized — or privatized — Social Security accounts, Cotton said
‘everything needs to be on the table’ to ‘modernize’ the program and ensure it’s ‘available for the next generation.’”
[Politico, 6/17/14]
TOM COTTON HAS VOTED AND SUPPORTED CUTTING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
IN FY2015…
April 2014: Tom Cotton Voted for Republican Study Committee Budget That Used Chained CPI For Social
Security. [H Con Res 96, Vote #175, 113th Congress, 4/10/14; Republican Study Committee, FY 15]
…IN FY2014
March 2013: Tom Cotton Voted for Republican Study Committee Budget That Cut Social Security Benefits. [CQ; H
Con Res 25, Vote #86, 3/20/13]
Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget: FY2014 Addressees Social Security By Implementing Chained CPI
For Cost Of Living Adjustments. “Transitions Medicare to a premium support system by 2019 for new beneficiaries, and
raises the Medicare retirement age to 70 and indexes it to life expectancy… Unlike other budgets, [Republican Study
Budget] also addresses Social Security specifically by switching to the chained CPI for cost-of-living adjustments and
increasing the full retirement age to 70 and indexing it for life expectancy.” [Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget,
3/19/13]
Republican Study Committee: RSC Budget Would Change The Cost Of Living Adjustments For Social Security To
Chained CPI-U. “To further strengthen Social Security’s long-term finances, this budget would change the formula for
cost of living adjustments (COLA) by adopting a more accurate measure of inflation (chained CPI-U) that takes into
account real-world choices consumers make.” [Republican Study Committee FY 2014 Budget, accessed 5/10/13]
AARP: 92 Year Old Retiree Would See An 8.4% Cut In Benefits Under Chained CPI. “Changing the cost-of-living
adjustment (COLA) using a chained CPI would have a detrimental impact on the economic wellbeing of older and
disabled Americans and their family members who receive benefits from Social Security. Small reductions to the annual
COLA will accumulate over time so that the largest reductions in benefits will be on the oldest beneficiaries and the longterm disabled. For example, 92- year-old beneficiaries who were on the program for 30 years would see an 8.4% cut in
benefits. Disabled children could face even larger benefit cuts over their lifetime. Oldest Americans are the least able to
absorb cuts to their benefits as they are more reliant on Social Security for their income and have higher out-of-pocket
medical spending and a higher poverty rate than younger Americans.” [AARP, October 2012]
Washington Post’s Dylan Matthews: Chained CPI Would Be At Least A 5% Cut To Social Security Benefits. “All
told, chained CPI raises average taxes by about 0.19 percent of income. So, taken all together, it’s basically a big (5
percent over 12 years; more, if you take a longer view) across-the-board cut in Social Security benefits paired with a 0.19
percent income surtax.” [Dylan, Matthews, Washington Post, 12/11/12]
Republican Study Committee: RSC Budget Would Cut $127 Billion In COLA Adjustments Over Ten Years. “This
budget recommends switching to a more accurate index, chained CPI-U, which economists across the political spectrum
agree tracks the effects of inflation more accurately. Chained CPI-U also better achieves the goal of the COLA: ensuring
that retirees who depend on Social Security do not see their benefits eroded by inflation. This proposal saves $127 billion
over ten years, and more importantly, according to the Social Security Trustees 2012 report, this would solve 20 percent
of Social Security’s long-range actuarial balance.” [Republican Study Committee FY 2014 Budget, accessed 5/10/13]
CHAINED CPI CUTS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
AARP: “Although Many Have Attempted To Characterize The Chained CPI As A Minor Tweak, It Is In Fact A
Significant Benefit Cut That Snowballs Over Time.” “Although many have attempted to characterize the chained CPI
as a minor tweak, it is in fact a significant benefit cut that snowballs over time. The adoption of chained CPI would take
approximately $340 billion dollars out of the pockets of current and near retirees, working families, veterans and the
disabled, as well as the local economies in which they live, in the next 10 years alone. Specific to Social Security, the
chained CPI cuts benefits by $127 billion over the next 10 years.” [AARP, 8/12/13]
AARP: “Chained CPI Would Take Approximately $340 Billion Dollars Out Of The Pockets Of Current And Near
Retirees, Working Families, Veterans And The Disabled.” “Although many have attempted to characterize the chained
CPI as a minor tweak, it is in fact a significant benefit cut that snowballs over time. The adoption of chained CPI would
take approximately $340 billion dollars out of the pockets of current and near retirees, working families, veterans and the
disabled, as well as the local economies in which they live, in the next 10 years alone. Specific to Social Security, the
chained CPI cuts benefits by $127 billion over the next 10 years.” [AARP, 8/12/13]
Medicaid
TOM COTTON BELIEVES MEDICAID HURTS THE PEOPLE IT TRIES TO HELP
WND Radio: Tom Cotton Believed That Medicaid Hurts The People It Tries To Help. “Well Obamacare, like so many
programs that liberals in Washington designed to help the poor or the struggling, actually end up hurting the people
they’re trying to help. If you look at Medicaid, individuals who are on Medicaid have some of the worst health outcomes of
anyone in America. And it’s not something we should celebrate or certainly that we should try to expand as a part as
Obamacare does. We should create an economy where those people can find a good, high paying job with benefits they
need to pay for themselves and their families.” [WND Radio, 8/30/12]
COTTON VOTED FOR A BUDGET WITH DEEP CUTS TO MEDICAID
Tom Cotton Praised The Ryan Budget For Reforming Medicare And Medicaid. At a Hot Springs town hall, Cotton
said: “On health and entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid, it addresses the spending crisis that those
programs face. Medicare, you know, unless we do something to change it, is going to go bankrupt within ten years.
Medicaid is currently in bankrupting state governments, like our state for instance.” [Tom Cotton, Hot Springs Town Hall,
3/25/13]
IN 2014, TOM COTTON VOTED FOR THE RYAN BUDGET…
2013: Tom Cotton Voted for FY 2014 Ryan Budget That Restructured Medicare as “Premium Support System [H
Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #88, 3/21/13]
…WHICH INCLUDEDED DEEP CUTS TO MEDICAID
Bloomberg News: GOP Budget Included Deep Cuts to Medicaid, Food Stamps, Agriculture Subsidies and Pell
Grants. “The plan reiterates his previous calls for deep cuts in Medicaid, the health-care program for the poor, as well as
in food stamps, agriculture subsidies, federal workers’ benefits, Pell college tuition grants and many other programs.”
[Bloomberg News, 3/12/13]

Politico: GOP Budget Turns Medicaid and Food Stamp Program Into Block Grants. “Ryan is also
sticking with his plan to change Medicaid into block grants to the states, saving $756 billion over 10 years.
He’d change the food stamp program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to block grants as
well.” [Politico, 3/12/13]
Tax Reform
AS A CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS, TOM COTTON WANTED TO LOWER TAXES FOR HIGHER INCOMES TO
JUST 25%...
El Dorado News-Times: Tom Cotton Supports Simplifying The Tax Code To Two Rates, 25 Percent For HighIncome Individuals And 10 Percent For Low-Income Individuals. “Cotton said he favors a simplified tax code. The
plan of two rates, 25 percent for high incomes and 10-percent for low incomes, gaining traction in Congress is one he
would favor.” [El Dorado News-Times, 6/29/12]
…WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT PAUL RYAN WANTED TO DO
Tom Cotton’s Proposal Was Identical To Paul Ryan’s FY 2013 Budget. “This budget consolidates the current six
individual income tax brackets into just two low brackets of 10 and 25 percent and repeals the Alternative Minimum Tax.”
[House Budget Committee, Path to Prosperity, FY2013]
THE TOM COTTON-PAUL RYAN TAX “REFORMS” WOULD CUT TAXES FOR MILLIONAIRES AND INCREASE
TAXES FOR LOWER INCOMES
Tax Policy Center: Millionaires See An Average Tax Cut of $265,000 Under GOP Budget. “…Those making $1
million or more would enjoy an average tax cut of $265,000 and see their after-tax income increase by 12.5 percent.” [Tax
Policy Center, 3/23/12]
Center On Budget And Policy Priorities: Low-Income Working Families Would Be Hit With Tax Increases Under
The Ryan Budget. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analyzed the House Republican plan to simplify the tax
code to two rates: “The new tax cuts at the top would dwarf those for middle-income families. After-tax incomes would
rise by 12.5 percent among millionaires, but just 1.8 percent for middle-income households. Low-income working families
would actually be hit with tax increases.” [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 4/12/12]
AS A CANDIDATE AND A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, TOM COTTON SIDED WITH THE WEALTHY BY SUPPORTING
THE REPEAL OF THE ESTATE TAX
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Said He Would Eliminate Taxes On Saving And Investment As Well As The
Estate Tax. “Finally, I will fight against unfair and counterproductive taxes on savings and investment. The death tax must
be eliminated once and for all. This unfair tax hits small businesses and family farms particularly hard and penalizes
Americans for a lifetime of economic innovation, hard work, and frugal living—and a lifetime of paying taxes.”
[TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]
Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill To Repeal The Federal Estate, Gift, And Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes. [H.R.
483, 113th Congress, 2/6/13]
Tom Cotton Said That The Estate Tax Should Be Eliminated. COTTON: “You brought up the stepped-up basis for the
estate tax. Dr. Laffer just brought it up as a critique. I want to talk about the impact it has, in particular, in rural areas. I
think a lot of people and they think about the estate tax have the image of, you know, wealthy investors. You have highly
liquid assets like marketable securities that when they pass away could be easily sold to pay off taxes, not always the
case in rural areas. A classic example in Arkansas would be timber, forestry products. You own a lot of land, you have a
lot of trees. It takes 40 years to make a tree. Very asset high, very cash poor. Regardless of the threshold through the
exemption, you still often see families having to break up family businesses to pay the tax, what's the right solution to that
if -- if it's not simply repealing the estate tax which as you might guess would be my proposal?’” [Hearing, Joint Economic
Committee, 4/20/16]
Obamacare
WHILE CAMPAIGNING FOR CONGRESS, TOM COTTON SAID WOULD WORK TO REPEAL THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT…
Associated Press: Tom Cotton Said He Would Work To Repeal The Affordable Care Act. “Cotton said he would
work to repeal the nation's new health care system despite the U.S. Supreme Court upholding it last summer.”
[Associated Press, 11/6/12]

Tom Cotton: The Affordable Care Act Will Continue “Violating All Rights Until Repealed.” “ObamaCare order
violates religious freedom. ObamaCare will keep violating all rights until repealed.” [@TomCottonAR, Twitter, 2/8/12]
Cotton Favored Repealing Obamacare. “Cotton: ‘First, I would repeal Obamacare (the Affordable Health Care for
America Act). Its already driving up the cost of health care, through premiums paid by employees and/or their employers.
Once it's repealed, we need to introduce more market-based competition into the health care system, which does have
problems. People need to be able to buy health insurance across state lines, health care providers should post prices so
consumers can be aware, and there needs to be malpractice reform so doctors aren't practicing defensive medicine.
[The] need to promote competition produces lower prices and greater quality.’” [Southwest Times Record, 10/28/12]
…AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, HE FOLLOW UP ON THAT PROMISE
Tom Cotton: One Of The Most Important Things Congress Can Do Is Repeal Obamacare. “So this past week, the
biggest vote we had on the House floor was to repeal Obamacare. I voted for that. Every Republican voted for it. A couple
Democrats voted for it as well. And I think that’s one of the most important things that Congress can do, is repeal
Obamacare.” [Monticello Coffee with your Congressman, 5/18/13]
February 2013: Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill To Repeal The Affordable Care Act. [H.R. 45, 113th Congress, 2/6/13]
TOM COTTON BELIEVED THE SUPREME COURT “ERRED” IN UPHOLDING OBAMACARE
Cotton For Congress: The Supreme Court “Erred” In Upholding The Affordable Care Act. “The Supreme Court
erred today. ObamaCare is unconstitutional, as explained in the dissent. I am deeply disappointing in the Court's ruling.
Now, it is up to Congress to repeal ObamaCare and restore free-market principles to our health-insurance market. Only
then will Americans have true choices, a growing economy, and the world's best health-care system.” [Tom Cotton,
Facebook, 6/28/12]
TOM COTTON WOULD TRY PIECEMEAL REPEAL OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND HINDER
IMPLEMENTATION…
El Dorado News-Times: Tom Cotton Said He Would Hinder Implementation Of The Affordable Care Act By
Changing Language In Bills Funding The Department Of Health And Human Services. “Acknowledging the
controversy surrounding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as Obamacare, Cotton was a
proponent for hindering implementation through language in bills funding the Health and Human Services Department.
However, he also noted implementation has already somewhat been slowed by states that won't expand Medicaid and
others that haven't created their own exchanges.” [El Dorado News-Times, 1/29/13]
Associated Press: Tom Cotton Said That Repealing The Affordable Care Act Is Not Realistic, So Congress Should
Eliminate The Parts “Most Offensive To Free-Market Principles And Individual Liberties.” “Repealing Obama's
health reform package is no longer a realistic goal, Cotton said.’ So we have to work in other fashions to try to improve the
law and eliminate some of its worst parts the parts that are most offensive to free-market principles and individual
liberties,’ he said.” [Associated Press, 11/7/12]
Southwest Times Record: Tom Cotton Promised To Block The Individual Mandate. “Cotton said he and his fellow
House Republicans plan to block what he called the worst excesses of Obamacare. ‘Among these are the requirement
that even young adults buy health insurance or pay a fine for not doing so,’ Cotton said. "They may need that money to
buy food for their family or to pay rent.’” [Southwest Times Record, 2/21/13]
…A PROMISE COTTON HAS FOLLOWED THROUGH ON, VOTING FOR AND CO-SPONSORING LEGISLATION TO
REPEAL OBAMACARE BIT BY BIT
February 2013: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored Legislation To Repeal The Independent Payment Advisory Board.
[H.R. 351, 113th Congress, 2/4/13]
February 2013: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill To Repeal The Affordable Care Act’s Medical Device Tax. [H.R.
523, 113th Congress, 2/6/13]
February 2013: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill To Repeal The Individual Mandate And The Requirement That
Businesses Provide Health Insurance For Their Employees. [H.R. 582, 113th Congress, co-sponsored 2/25/13]
March 2013: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored The Defund Obamacare Act. [H.R. 1005, 113th Congress, 3/21/13]
March 2013: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored H.R. 763 To Repeal The Affordable Care Act’s Annual Fee On Health
Insurance Providers. [H.R. 763, 113th Congress, 3/4/13]
April 2013: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill To Allow A State-Authorized Public Entity Benefits Pool To Apply To
H.H.S. [Department Of Health And Human Services] For Pass-Through Funding. [H.R. 1076, 113th Congress,
4/15/13]
May 2013: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill To Forbid The Treasury From Enforcing The Affordable Care Act
[AKA Obamacare] [H.R. 2009, 113th Congress, co-sponsored 5/17/13]
TOM COTTON WOULD ALLOW FOR PURCHASING OF INSURANCE ACROSS STATE LINES…
Southwest Times Record: Cotton Would Allow Purchase Of Health Insurance Across State Lines, Make Prices
For Health Care Providers Public, And Pursue Tort Reform. “First, I would repeal Obamacare (the Affordable Health
Care for America Act). It’s already driving up the cost of health care, through premiums paid by employees and/or their
employers. Once it's repealed, we need to introduce more market-based competition into the health care system, which
does have problems. People need to be able to buy health insurance across state lines, health care providers should post
prices so consumers can be aware, and there needs to be malpractice reform so doctors aren't practicing defensive
medicine.” [Southwest Times Record, 10/28/12]
…JUST LIKE DONALD TRUMP…
National Public Radio: Donald Trump Said Part Of His Plan To Reform Health Care Would Be To Allow People To
Buy Insurance Across State Lines. DONALD TRUMP: “We have to get rid of the lines around the states so that there's
serious, serious competition.” UNIDENTIFIED MODERATOR: “But Mr...” [N.P.R. Correspondent Alison] KODJAK: “What
he meant was that he wants to allow insurance companies to sell policies across state lines.” [National Public Radio,
3/3/16]
LEARNED CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER TOM COTTON CALLED THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE
“UNCONSTITUTIONAL…”
Cotton For Congress: The Affordable Care Act Unconstitutionally Obligates Every American To Buy The Good Or
Service Of A Private Company. “ObamaCare also unconstitutionally obligates every American, for the first time ever, to
buy the good or service of a private company. ObamaCare must be repealed entirely. If that does not happen, it must be
repealed piece-by-piece. And if that fails, it must be defunded.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]
…SOMETHING CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS (AN ACTUAL CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER) DISAGREED WITH
Wall Street Journal: John Roberts Found The Individual Mandate To Be A Tax, Therefore In The Purview Of
Congress, And Therefore Constitutional. “Chief Justice Roberts went on to say that the penalty for failing to carry
insurance met the criteria for a tax. Because of the court's duty to defer to the elected branches when possible, the
mandate must be upheld, he wrote.” [Wall Street Journal, 6/29/12]
TOM COTTON HAD HIS OWN HEALTH CARE PROPOSALS, SUCH AS RAISING PREMIUMS ON OLDER PEOPLE…
March 2013: Tom Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill To Let Insurance Companies Charge Higher Premiums To Older
Patients. H.R. 544, 113th Congress, co-sponsored 3/5/13]
The Hill: AARP Called The Bill “Huge Step Backward In Making Health Insurance Affordable For All Americans,"
“Gingrey's bill was designed to blunt the cost impact to young people (it's called the Letting Insurance Benefit Everyone
Regardless of Their Youth Act, or Liberty Act). But the AARP says it would come at the expense of older patients. ‘This
proposal is a huge step backward in making health insurance affordable for all Americans,’ AARP said in a statement.
‘The Affordable Care Act limited how health insurers would be allowed to vary premiums based on age, ensuring that
insurance companies stop the discriminatory practice of charging exorbitant premiums to older Americans.’ The
healthcare law also limits how much insurers can vary their premiums based on geography and current health. It prohibits
plans from charging more to patients with a pre-existing condition. ‘Any discrimination in private insurance — whether
based on a person’s age, gender, ethnicity or medical history — is harmful to all Americans,’ AARP said of Gingrey's bill.”
[The Hill, 2/6/13]
…TOM COTTON ALSO HAD THE STANDARD GOP NON-SOLUTIONS TO HEALTH CARE REFORM
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Promised To Replace The Affordable Care Act With Patient-Centered Reforms.
On his website, Cotton wrote: “I will fight not only to repeal ObamaCare, but also to replace it with patient-centered
reforms that provide access to high-quality, affordable health care.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]

Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Promised To Ensure That Every American Receives The Same Health Care
Tax Treatment. On his website, Cotton wrote: “I will work to ensure that every American receives the same healthcare tax treatment regardless of how or where they receive their care.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]

Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Said Small Businesses Should Be Allowed To Pool Together To Provide
Insurance For Their Employees. On his website, Cotton wrote: “Businesses should not be discouraged from
maintaining their current insurance plans, and small businesses should be allowed to pool together to provide
insurance for their employees.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]

Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Said Individuals Should Be Encouraged To Create Health Savings
Accounts. On his website, Cotton wrote: “Also, individuals should be encouraged to create health-savings accounts
to provide for their own care.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]

Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Promised To Work To Ensure Insurance Could Be Purchased Across State
Lines. On his website, Cotton wrote: “I will work to ensure businesses and individuals can purchase insurance across
state lines.” [TomCotton.com, 9/14/11]

Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Promised To Pursue Tort Reform. On his website, Cotton wrote: “I will also
help states to reform the medical-malpractice system to protect our doctors and serve our patients.” [TomCotton.com,
9/14/11]
Welfare
COTTON “TOO MANY PEOPLE” TRY TO MAKE A LIVING FROM PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
El Dorado News-Times: Too Many People Try To Cobble Together A Living From Public Assistance Programs.
“‘Too many people try to cobble together a living from public assistance programs, when the best anti-poverty program is
a job,’ he said. ‘... Budgets can seem like boring, dry documents, but when you step back and look at the basic values
they reflect, it's really one of the most important things Congress does.’” [El Dorado News-Times, 4/3/13]
El Dorado News-Times: We Spend Too Much Time And Money On Anti-Poverty Programs. “Securing the border
and enforcing immigration laws are a core federal responsibility, and we do it poorly. We have dozens of federal antipoverty programs that we spend too much time and too much money on. It distracts from the attention and the resources
that responsible federal officials can dedicate to what's purely federal as opposed to what should be predominantly state
and local matters.” [El Dorado News-Times, 6/29/12]
COTTON BELIEVES THAT FRAUD IS THE REASON FOR SPENDING GROWTH IN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS
Tom Cotton Attributed Spending Growth In Entitlement Programs To Fraud. At a Malvern Town Hall, Cotton said:
“So there are a lot of programs that are in the so-called mandatory side of the budget – which means they don’t require
mandatory appropriation. Program… you mentioned one, unemployment insurance, food stamps, disability, Medicaid,
again all started with the noblest of intentions. Programs that provide an important social safety net for those who truly
need them, but programs now that have seen explosive growth because they’re riddled with fraud.” [Tom Cotton, Malvern
Town Hall, 3/30/13]
Tom Cotton: People Who Need Assistance From Entitlement Programs Don’t Get It Because Of Fraud. At a
Malvern Town Hall, Cotton said: “Which doesn’t just mean that we’re driving the country further into debt, but we’re not
providing the assistance to people who actually need it. People who are genuinely disabled for instance, who are suffering
from degenerative conditions that require 10, or 12, or 14 hours of care a day. They’re not getting that care because
people who are committing fraud against the disability system are taking money out of the system.” [Tom Cotton Malvern
Town Hall, 3/30/13]
TOM COTTON SUGGESTED THAT INCREASES IN SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS IN A COMMUNITY
ARE LINKED TO DRUG ADDICTION
New York Daily News: In A Speech At The Heritage Foundation, Tom Cotton Said That An Increase In Social
Security Disability Benefits In A Community Are Linked To Heroin And Meth Addiction. “Social Security disability
benefits are gateway drugs that lead to heroin and meth addictions, an Arkansas lawmaker said Monday. Republican
Sen. Tom Cotton linked the downfall of nearly two dozen counties in Arkansas to the climb in Social Security Disability
Insurance during an appearance before conservative think tank, Heritage Foundation, in Washington, D.C. ‘Population
continues to fall, and a downward spiral kicks in, driving once thriving communities into decline,’ he said. ‘Not only that,
but once this kind of spiral begins, communities could begin to suffer other social plagues, such as heroin or meth
addiction and associated crime.’” [New York Daily News, 11/10/15]
Dodd-Frank
AFTER BEING ASIGNED TO THE HOUSE FINANCIAL COMMITTEE, COTTON MADE GOOD ON HIS PROMISE TO
FIGHT DODD-FRANK
Politico: Cotton Said As A Member Of The House Financial Services Committee, He Would Want To “Shield
Community Banks From Dodd-Frank.” “The incoming freshman says he is determined to shield community banks from
Dodd-Frank . ‘Community banks faced some of the most significant harms under Dodd-Frank ... so I wanted to be on the
committee to try to alleviate some of the regulatory burdens,’ Cotton said. "Hearings are very critical because Dodd-Frank,
like Obamacare, in some ways wasn't really a law so much as it was a vesting of vast discretion in regulators.’” [Politico,
12/19/12]
COTTON TOOK SIDES WITH CORPORATIONS ON THE QUESTION OF RULES DISCLOSING THEIR INFLUENCE
ON ELECTIONS AND SUGGESTED THE SEC WOULD BE USED TO MAKE AN “ENEMIES LIST” IF THE RULES
CAME ABOUT
In A Hearing, Tom Cotton Seemed To Suggest He Was Opposed To Proposed SEC Rules On Disclosure Of
Corporate Political Spending. Cotton: “Do you think it would be appropriate to require a publicly-traded company to
disclose the private political activities of its officers, directors, or other employees and agents? “ … COTTON: “If you
proceeded with the rulemaking, would that rulemaking be applied to labor unions?” COTTON: “Do labor unions file any
reports with your agency?” WHITE: “Specifically, not that I'm aware of.” COTTON: “Me either. I must have been
confused when I asked that question. They file reports with the Department of Labor, fill a form LM-1, 2, 3 and 4. Are
you aware of any efforts by the Department of Labor to impose similar requirements on labor unions?” WHITE: “I'm not.”
COTTON: “Would any rulemaking by your agency apply to non-profit organizations such as Move-On.org, or Organizing
for America?” WHITE: “You know, again, I can't comment on what dimensions of something that I have no -- I don't have
the benefit of the review or any recommendation whether or not to proceed with any proposed rule.” COTTON: “I would
assume that such a rulemaking would not apply to such non-profits, since those are normally regulated by the Internal
Revenue Service. Final question, are you concerned at all about partisans of the president and the left using your
independent agency to help develop a political-enemies list of the president?” WHITE: “I am not. I think the SEC's an
independent agency. And I'm a very independent chairman of that agency.” COTTON: “Yes, ma'am. You are, and I
appreciate your service.” [Hearing, Committee on Financial Services, 5/16/13]
Tom Cotton Suggested That The President Would Use Proposed SEC Rules To Make a “Political-Enemies List”
COTTON: “I would assume that such a rulemaking would not apply to such non-profits, since those are normally
regulated by the Internal Revenue Service. Final question, are you concerned at all about partisans of the president and
the left using your independent agency to help develop a political-enemies list of the president?” WHITE: “I am not. I
think the SEC's an independent agency. And I'm a very independent chairman of that agency.” COTTON: “Yes, ma'am.
You are, and I appreciate your service.” [Hearing, Committee on Financial Services, 5/16/13]
TOM COTTN CALLED DODD-FRANK “THE FINANCIAL EQUIVALENT OF OBAMACARE”
Targeted News Services: At A Bankers Luncheon In Arkansas, Tom Cotton Called Dodd-Frank “The Financial
Equivalent Of Obamacare” “U.S. Senate Candidate Tom Cotton was in Jonesboro Friday to meet with Northeast
Arkansas bankers at a luncheon in Jonesboro. Cotton focused his remarks on Dodd-Frank's misguided policies and its
devastating impact on Arkansas's community banks… ‘Dodd-Frank is the financial equivalent of Obamacare and it's
similarly doing more harm than good,’ said Tom Cotton.” [Targeted News Service, 9/29/14]
TOM COTTON WANTED TO REPEAL DODD-FRANK
Office Of Senator Tom Cotton: “Rest Assured, I Will Work To Repeal Dodd-Frank And Implement Common-Sense
Reforms To Our Financial System That Truly Protect Consumers." “Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today
released the following statement on the 5th anniversary of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also
known as Dodd-Frank: ‘Five years ago President Obama signed Dodd-Frank into law, but today community banks across
Arkansas and America have little to celebrate. President Obama promised Dodd-Frank would 'lift our economy' and
prevent another financial crisis. In reality, it's done much more harm than good. Today, Arkansas families are finding it
more difficult to buy their first home, get a loan for a new tractor, or even open a simple bank account. And our community
banks are struggling to keep their doors open as they deal with more bureaucracy and regulations. Rest assured, I will
work to repeal Dodd-Frank and implement common-sense reforms to our financial system that truly protect consumers.’”
[Press Release, Office Of Senator Tom Cotton, 6/21/15]
Bad For Seniors
Medicare
A CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS, TOME COTTON SUPPORTED THE FY2012 RYAN BUDGET [AKA “PATH TO
PROSPERITY”] AND REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE BUDGET
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Tom Cotton Supported Both The Ryan Plan And The Republican Study Committee
Plan. “For his part, Tom Cotton says he supports either the Paul Ryan plan or something called the Republican Study
Committee plan.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/29/12]
Cotton For Congress: Tom Cotton Supported Paul Ryan’s “Path To Prosperity” Budget And The Republican
Study Committee’s Honest Solutions Budget.” According to Cotton’s Website, “But we must also take action now to
stop spending and borrowing—that’s why I support plans like Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity budget and the Republican
Study Committee’s Honest Solutions budget.” [Tomcotton.com, 9/14/11]

Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget: The Republican Study Committee Budget Would Increase The
Eligibility Age For Medicare And Increase The Social Security Retirement Age To 70 For Younger Workers.
“The RSC's Medicare plan includes a slightly more aggressive approach to raising the eligibility age, but is otherwise
the same as the Chairman's proposal -- except that the RSC's premium support plan begins in 2017 as opposed to
2022. The RSC also proposes to gradually raise the Social Security normal retirement age to 70 for younger workers.”
[Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget, 4/7/11]
TOM COTTON WAS HAPPY TO RUN AND WIN ON THE RYAN BUDGET
The New York Times: Tom Cotton Said He Is Ready To Fight For The Ryan Plan And Win – “We Have To Win This
Debate” “Tom Cotton, a rising Republican star in Arkansas running for the seat of Representative Mike Ross, a Democrat
who is retiring, said his opponent had tried to label him a Ryan ‘clone.’ It will not work in his Republican-leaning district, he
said, but other candidates are struggling. Still, he said, most candidates are ready to fight for Mr. Ryan's plan. ‘They
recognize, as the House members already there recognize, we have to have this debate, and we have to win this debate,’
Mr. Cotton said, recalling ambush training he had in the Army when soldiers were drilled to face an attack head-on. ‘This
is the most predictable ambush in politics. You don't duck and cover. You turn and face it.’” [New York Times, 9/1/12]
IN FY2013, TOM COTTON SUPPORTED BOTH THE RYAN BUDGET AND THE REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE
BUDGET AGAIN, BOTH OF WHICH TURNED MEDICARE INTO A VOUCHER
March 2013: Tom Cotton Voted for FY 2014 Ryan Budget That Restructured Medicare as “Premium Support
System [H Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #88, 3/21/13]
March 2013: Cotton Voted For Republican Study Committee Budget [H Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #86,
3/20/13]


The Hill: Republican Study Committee Budget Would Turn Medicare Into A Voucher Program For Those
59 And Younger While The Ryan Budget Would Do The Same At 54. “The key difference between the two
proposals [the RSC and Ryan budgets] is the plan to overhaul Medicare. While Ryan calls for implementing his
‘premium support’ plan for future beneficiaries age 54 and younger, the RSC budget would start the change for
people 59 and below.” [The Hill, 3/15/13]
Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget: The Republican Study Committee Budget Would Raise
The Social Security Eligibility Age To 67 And Medicare Eligibility Age To 70. “ [Committee For A
Responsible Federal Budget, 3/28/12]
IN FY2014, TOM COTTON VOTED FOR THE RYAN BUDGET, WHICH TURNED MEDICARE INTO A VOUCHER
SYSTEM
March 2013: Tom Cotton Voted for FY 2014 Ryan Budget That Restructured Medicare as “Premium Support
System [H Con Res 25, 113th Congress, Vote #88, 3/21/13]
Cotton Email: Tom Cotton Said He Was “Proud” To Have Supported The FY 2014 Ryan Budget, Which He
Claimed “Protects And Preserves” Social Security And Medicare. “If you saw me over this district work period,
chances are you heard me talk about the budget. Last month, my Republican colleagues in the House and I passed a
budget that balances within ten years, while simultaneously lowering tax rates by closing loopholes. It protects and
preserves health and retirement programs like Social Security and Medicare for future generations and restores important
funding to our Armed Forces. To some it may seem a little dry, but I believe passing a budget is one of the most important
things Congress does. I’m proud to have supported Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) in his efforts.” [Cotton
Email, 4/9/13]

Politico: GOP Budget Revives Controversial Proposal to Convert Medicare Into Voucher System. “It
revives Ryan’s controversial proposal to convert Medicare into a system of limited subsidies to help seniors
buy private insurance or traditional Medicare coverage, and again reaps more than $700 billion in Medicare
savings from Obamacare that he criticized on the campaign trail as Romney’s running mate. He would also
expand means-testing of Medicare premiums for wealthy seniors, an idea he notes has been endorsed by
Obama in the past.” [Politico, 3/12/13]
AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE SENATE, TOM COTTON SAID HE WOULD PROTECT MEDICARE FOR CURRENT
RETIREES AND THOSE APPROACHING RETIRMENT…
Tom Cotton: “The Answer To Your Question Is: I Will Make No Changes To The Current [Medicare] System For
Current Retirees And Anyone Approaching Retirement." [Politifact, 1/16/14]
…BUT BY SUPPORTING A REPAL OF OBAMACARE, POLITIFACT FOUND THAT STATEMENT “FALES”
Politifact: Tom Cotton Said That He Would Not Make Changes To Medicare For Current Retirees Or Those About
To Retire. He Has Not Made Specific Commitments On Policy. Politifact Rated His Statement “False.”
“Cotton said that under his platform, he ‘will make no changes to the current (Medicare) system for current retirees and
anyone approaching retirement.’ Cotton has consistently supported repeal of Obamacare, and while he has sometimes
noted that something needs to be enacted to ‘replace’ the law, we couldn’t find any examples in which he specifically
pledged to protect the Medicare policies that would be eliminated if the law was repealed, such as the closing of the
doughnut hole and free preventive health-care services. We rate his claim False.” [Politifact, 1/16/14]
Politifact: Cotton Supported The Repeal Of Obamacare, But Has Not Said What “Medicare Policies That Would Be
Reinstated After A Repeal.” “Cotton’s staff didn’t return an inquiry from PolitiFact, but we found lots of examples of
Cotton arguing that Obamacare should be repealed…It’s worth noting that, at times, Cotton has expressed a desire to
"replace" the newly repealed law with something else. However, we’ve failed to uncover an instance in which Cotton
provided a detailed description of the Medicare policies that would be reinstated after a repeal.” [Politifact, 1/16/14]
Politifact: Repealing Obamacare Would Reopen The Medicare Drug “Doughnut Hole” And Make Changes That
Would Impact Current Medicare Recipients. “The highest-profile element of the law that would disappear in the event
of a full repeal is the closing of the ‘doughnut hole.’ The law made strides to ease the previous, longstanding gap in
coverage for beneficiaries in which they weren’t able to get government subsidies for prescription drug purchases under
Medicare Part D. However, this isn’t the only example of a benefit included in the Affordable Care Act that would
disappear for those currently on Medicare if the law is repealed and replacement provisions aren’t specifically enacted.
Here are others, gleaned from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s summary of the health care law:
• Elimination of cost-sharing for Medicare-covered preventive services.
• Authorization of Medicare coverage of "personalized prevention plan services," including an annual, comprehensive
health-risk assessment.
• Incentives to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to complete behavior-modification programs, such as smoking
cessation.
• Reduction in the out-of-pocket amount that qualifies an enrollee for catastrophic coverage for prescriptions.
• Expansion of Medicare coverage to individuals who have been exposed to environmental health hazards from living in
an area subject to an emergency declaration made as of June 17, 2009, and have developed certain health conditions as
a result.
• Prohibition of Medicare Advantage plans from imposing higher cost-sharing requirements for some Medicare-covered
benefits than is required under the traditional fee-for-service program.
In other words, current Medicare beneficiaries would feel a significant impact if a replacement law is not forthcoming after
a repeal. We see no evidence that Cotton has pledged to protect any of these specific provisions in the wake of a repeal.”
[Politifact, 1/16/14]
TOM COTTON HAS PRAISED PAUL RYAN REPEATEDLY
Southwest Times Record: Tom Cotton Called Paul Ryan “Our Party’s Leader” In Solving The Debt Crisis And His
Budget Will Save Medicare. According to the Southwest Times Record, “’Paul is our party’s leader on our country’s
most urgent challenge: solving our looming debt crisis. Paul’s budget will reverse the reckless Obama spending, save
Medicare, and put America back on the path to prosperity,’ wrote Republican 4th District congressional candidate Tom
Cotton.” [Southwest Times Record, 8/15/2012]
WND Radio: Tom Cotton Said That Leaders Like Paul Ryan Are Focused On “Serious Solutions To Problems Like
Medicare.” “But we’re now party in the House of leaders like Paul Ryan, and I hope to become a part of that new
generation of leadership who is focused on fiscal restraint, on serious solutions to problems like Medicare, pro-growth
economic reform of our tax code and our regulatory structure, not some of the pork barrel spending that we saw in the last
decade.” [WND Radio, 8/30/12]
Social Security
TOM COTTON HAS BEEN FUZZY ON WHETHER HE WANTS TO PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY OR NOT…
Cotton For Congress: In Addition To Supporting The Ryan Plan, Cotton Explained That He Wanted To Add
Consumer Choice And Competition To Medicaid, Medicare And Social Security. “And I will work to save and
strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security by introducing consumer choice and competition before these
important programs collapse under the burden of debt.” [TomCotton.com, 09/14/2011]
El Dorado News-Times: Cotton Favors “Introducing Competition And Choice” To Medicare And Social Security
For Future Retirees. “’We owe it to our seniors to protect Social Security and Medicare if they're on those programs now
or they're approaching those programs,’ he said. ‘But for people in my generation, we have to reform, we have to
introduce more competition and choice.’” [El Dorado News-Times, 11/2/11]
Politico: When Asked If Social Security Should Be Privatized, Tom Cotton Said No But Then When Asked Again
About Personalized “-Or Privatized-“ Social Security Accounts, Cotton Said “Everything Needs To Be On The
Table.” “When Cotton was asked whether he believed Social Security should be privatized, he responded, ‘I wouldn’t say
that,’ before advocating for gradually raising the retirement age to 70. But in response to a follow-up question about
whether taxpayers should be allowed to have personalized — or privatized — Social Security accounts, Cotton said
‘everything needs to be on the table’ to ‘modernize’ the program and ensure it’s ‘available for the next generation.’”
[Politico, 6/17/14]
TOM COTTON HAS VOTED AND SUPPORTED CUTTING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
IN FY2015…
April 2014: Tom Cotton Voted for Republican Study Committee Budget That Used Chained CPI For Social
Security. [H Con Res 96, Vote #175, 113th Congress, 4/10/14; Republican Study Committee, FY 15]
…IN FY2014
March 2013: Tom Cotton Voted for Republican Study Committee Budget That Cut Social Security Benefits. [CQ; H
Con Res 25, Vote #86, 3/20/13]
Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget: FY2014 Addressees Social Security By Implementing Chained CPI
For Cost Of Living Adjustments. “Transitions Medicare to a premium support system by 2019 for new beneficiaries, and
raises the Medicare retirement age to 70 and indexes it to life expectancy… Unlike other budgets, [Republican Study
Budget] also addresses Social Security specifically by switching to the chained CPI for cost-of-living adjustments and
increasing the full retirement age to 70 and indexing it for life expectancy.” [Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget,
3/19/13]
Republican Study Committee: RSC Budget Would Change The Cost Of Living Adjustments For Social Security To
Chained CPI-U. “To further strengthen Social Security’s long-term finances, this budget would change the formula for
cost of living adjustments (COLA) by adopting a more accurate measure of inflation (chained CPI-U) that takes into
account real-world choices consumers make.” [Republican Study Committee FY 2014 Budget, accessed 5/10/13]
AARP: 92 Year Old Retiree Would See An 8.4% Cut In Benefits Under Chained CPI. “Changing the cost-of-living
adjustment (COLA) using a chained CPI would have a detrimental impact on the economic wellbeing of older and
disabled Americans and their family members who receive benefits from Social Security. Small reductions to the annual
COLA will accumulate over time so that the largest reductions in benefits will be on the oldest beneficiaries and the longterm disabled. For example, 92- year-old beneficiaries who were on the program for 30 years would see an 8.4% cut in
benefits. Disabled children could face even larger benefit cuts over their lifetime. Oldest Americans are the least able to
absorb cuts to their benefits as they are more reliant on Social Security for their income and have higher out-of-pocket
medical spending and a higher poverty rate than younger Americans.” [AARP, October 2012]
Washington Post’s Dylan Matthews: Chained CPI Would Be At Least A 5% Cut To Social Security Benefits. “All
told, chained CPI raises average taxes by about 0.19 percent of income. So, taken all together, it’s basically a big (5
percent over 12 years; more, if you take a longer view) across-the-board cut in Social Security benefits paired with a 0.19
percent income surtax.” [Dylan, Matthews, Washington Post, 12/11/12]
Republican Study Committee: RSC Budget Would Cut $127 Billion In COLA Adjustments Over Ten Years. “This
budget recommends switching to a more accurate index, chained CPI-U, which economists across the political spectrum
agree tracks the effects of inflation more accurately. Chained CPI-U also better achieves the goal of the COLA: ensuring
that retirees who depend on Social Security do not see their benefits eroded by inflation. This proposal saves $127 billion
over ten years, and more importantly, according to the Social Security Trustees 2012 report, this would solve 20 percent
of Social Security’s long-range actuarial balance.” [Republican Study Committee FY 2014 Budget, accessed 5/10/13]
CHAINED CPI CUTS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
AARP: “Although Many Have Attempted To Characterize The Chained CPI As A Minor Tweak, It Is In Fact A
Significant Benefit Cut That Snowballs Over Time.” “Although many have attempted to characterize the chained CPI
as a minor tweak, it is in fact a significant benefit cut that snowballs over time. The adoption of chained CPI would take
approximately $340 billion dollars out of the pockets of current and near retirees, working families, veterans and the
disabled, as well as the local economies in which they live, in the next 10 years alone. Specific to Social Security, the
chained CPI cuts benefits by $127 billion over the next 10 years.” [AARP, 8/12/13]
AARP: “Chained CPI Would Take Approximately $340 Billion Dollars Out Of The Pockets Of Current And Near
Retirees, Working Families, Veterans And The Disabled.” “Although many have attempted to characterize the chained
CPI as a minor tweak, it is in fact a significant benefit cut that snowballs over time. The adoption of chained CPI would
take approximately $340 billion dollars out of the pockets of current and near retirees, working families, veterans and the
disabled, as well as the local economies in which they live, in the next 10 years alone. Specific to Social Security, the
chained CPI cuts benefits by $127 billion over the next 10 years.” [AARP, 8/12/13]
Retirement Age
TOM COTTON SAID THAT THE RETIRMENT AGE SHOULD BE REAISED TO 70
Politico: Tom Cotton Said That The Retirement Age Should Be Gradually Raised To 70. “When Cotton was asked
whether he believed Social Security should be privatized, he responded, “I wouldn’t say that,” before advocating for
gradually raising the retirement age to 70.” [Politico, 6/17/14]