Cotton: Biden Administration is delaying arms shipments to Israel to undermine our ally

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden, criticizing the Biden administration for withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel as it continues to battle Hamas. Senator Cotton requested the administration provide a complete list of all weapons and ammunition Israel has requested, as well as explanations for the delays.

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:

“Your administration is engaged in bureaucratic sleight-of-hand to withhold this crucial aid to Israel during a shooting war. As you are aware, the Arms Export Control Act requires the administration to notify Congress before sending weapons to a foreign country. Your administration has manipulated this requirement by withholding this formal notification to Congress of approved weapons sales, including F-15s, tactical vehicles, 120-mm mortars, 120-mm tank rounds, joint direct attack munitions, and small diameter bombs. Your administration can then claim that the weapons are ‘in process’ while never delivering them.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

   June 20, 2024

President Joseph R. Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500                 

Dear President Biden:

I write regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public statement this week that your administration has been withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel and hampering its war effort against Hamas—a serious accusation from a trusted U.S. ally.

Your administration responded by claiming that aid is flowing normally, with one official asserting, “We genuinely do not know what he’s talking about.” You claim that the only hold or delay is on the 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs you refused to deliver earlier this year. But you’re deliberately misleading the American people and insulting a key ally.

Your administration is engaged in bureaucratic sleight-of-hand to withhold this crucial aid to Israel during a shooting war. As you are aware, the Arms Export Control Act requires the administration to notify Congress before sending weapons to a foreign country. Your administration has manipulated this requirement by withholding this formal notification to Congress of approved weapons sales, including F-15s, tactical vehicles, 120-mm mortars, 120-mm tank rounds, joint direct attack munitions, and small diameter bombs. Your administration can then claim that the weapons are “in process” while never delivering them.

But the law also includes an exception for “when emergencies exist,” which allows you to waive the requirement for congressional review and expedite weapons sales. Your administration is obviously aware of this exception since you invoked it just last year. Yet, it appears that you stopped acknowledging the emergency in Israel after receiving a letter from nearly twenty congressional Democrats in January, urging you to end expedited weapons sales to Israel. Though your administration reportedly released a ship carrying at least some of these arms on Wednesday, that modest step doesn’t cure the damage done by the delay.

You’re playing politics with the nation’s honor and our ally’s security. Worse still, your administration lacks the honesty to communicate its true policy to the American people, instead preferring to hide behind weasel words and bureaucratic process.

Any delays to military support to Israel blatantly disregard Congress’s bipartisan mandate to supply Israel with all it needs to defeat the Hamas terrorists and other Iranian-backed groups. Our ally is under sustained threat, and we must use all available resources to expedite military aid. Please provide the following information no later than July 1, 2024:

1. What weapons and ammunition are being withheld from Israel? Include any weapons or ammunition delayed more than two weeks beyond their original delivery date.

2. Provide a list of all foreign military and direct commercial sales requested by Israel and the status of each request. Provide explanation for any delays.

3. Provide a list of any weapons or ammunition Israel has requested be expedited, the status of each request, and an explanation for that status.

4. What issues are hampering you from expediting the delivery of weapons and ammunition to Israel? What, if any, legislative relief is required to address those issues?

5. How much of the recent supplemental funding passed by Congress has your administration expended to deliver weapons and ammunition to Israel?

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

________________

Tom Cotton
United States Senator

Cotton: Protestors who deface statues must face mandatory minimums

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Saving Treasured Artifacts Through Uniform Enforcement (STATUE) Act, legislation that would impose mandatory minimum prison sentences for defacing statues on federal land. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) is co-sponsoring the legislation.

Senator Cotton introduced the legislation after protestors damaged the area surrounding the White House, including painting pro-Hamas and antisemitic slogans on statues in Lafayette Square Park.

“Any protestor who defaces statues of America’s heroes must face the full extent of the law. As Joe Biden seeks to appease the pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party, it’s clear his administration won’t do anything to punish the protestors who defaced the area around the White House recently. The Senate should take up my legislation to punish these pro-Hamas lunatics,” said Senator Cotton.

Text of the legislation may be found here.

The STATUE Act would:

• Impose a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment and a $1,000 fine or a fine equal to the amount of damage to the property, whichever is greater.

• Amend the Veterans’ Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act so that it applies to all monuments or property under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Arkansas delegation supports governor’s request for major disaster declaration

Wikimedia image

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton—along with Congressmen Steve Womack, Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman—wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request for a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms in Benton, Boone and Marion Counties on May 26.

“We encourage the president to quickly approve federal aid to help speed up recovery efforts in Arkansas,” members said. 

The letter can be found here and below:

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to declare a major disaster, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on May 24, 2024, and are continuing.

As Governor Sanders noted in her request, the severity of this event created disastrous amounts of debris, severe infrastructure damage, and resulted in the deaths of at least nine citizens and injured countless others. Arkansans will continue to feel the destructive impact of this storm as we work to rebuild.  

Preliminary damage estimates conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency show major impacts to local jurisdictions in Benton, Boone, and Marion Counties exceeding an estimated $6.4 million in damages. At least 217 homes were destroyed with an additional 94 sustaining major damage. In total, over 478 homes were affected by the storms, leaving a large number of Arkansans displaced and many counties left without power for days. 

Despite facing significant hardships from the severe storm, Arkansans have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness and resilience. Communities from across the state have come together to support one another during this challenging time. But as it stands, we believe the magnitude of this weather event warrants supplemental federal assistance. The above-mentioned counties have seen homes, businesses, and important infrastructure severely damaged, and federal government resources will be critical in restoration efforts.

The entire Arkansas delegation is eager to assist in any way possible to ensure expedited evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions. We thank you for your support, and respectfully ask for your attention and assistance in providing the resources necessary to ensure the safety and full recovery of Arkansans.

Cotton, Colleagues introduce bill to repeal tax on certain firearm purchases

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises (RIFLE) Act, legislation that would remove a burdensome tax imposed on firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act.

Image by Wikipedia

Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Rick Scott (R-Florida) are co-sponsors of the legislation. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (Iowa-02) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“Law-abiding Americans who exercise their Second Amendment rights should not be subject to unnecessary taxes and restrictions preventing them from doing so. Passed into law in 1934, the National Firearms Act needs to be amended. Our legislation will remove the red tape that places an undue financial burden on would-be gun owners,” said Senator Cotton.

“The federal government should not be placing financial barriers on the inalienable rights of Americans. This unconstitutional tax on certain firearm purchases is a direct violation of the Second Amendment and must be repealed. As the Biden Administration and Democrats push proposals that unfairly target law-abiding gun owners, I will continue to stand up for Iowans’ right to keep and bear arms,” said Congresswoman Hinson.

Text of the legislation may be found here.

Background:

• The 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA) regulates short-barreled shotguns and rifles, fully automatic firearms, suppressors, and a catchall category of explosives. In addition to background checks and registration, NFA regulated items have a $200 tax.

• The ATF has acknowledged the tax was intended “to curtail, if not prohibit, transactions” of firearms. The $200 tax, unchanged since 1934, is equivalent to $4,648 in today’s dollars.

• Since 2018, ownership of NFA regulated items have grown by more than 250% as more sportsmen, shooters and firearm enthusiasts exercise their Second Amendment right.

• The RIFLE Act does not modify the current checks and registration; it solely removes the federally mandated financial burden on law-abiding gun owners.

• The legislation is endorsed by the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Senator Tom Cotton and colleagues introduce bill to overhaul workforce education

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the American Workforce Act, legislation that would overhaul workforce education. Funding from the bill—paid for in part by taxing wealthy private college endowments—would provide training vouchers to pay for education programs designed by employers.

Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) is co-sponsoring the legislation. Congressman Max Miller (Ohio-07) is introducing companion legislation in the House.

“For decades, the federal government has spent billions of dollars propping up bloated colleges that serve a minority of our citizens—and recently, have let antisemitic and anti-American ideas flourish. Meanwhile, the majority of Americans who don’t go to college are left behind. In fact, the federal government spends eight times more on college for the few than it does on job training for the many. My bill will right that wrong by investing heavily in a new workforce education strategy to help working Americans get ahead,” said Senator Cotton.

“In today's world, it's clear that the government's hefty investment in higher education hasn't really set up our next generation for success. Just look at our college campuses across America today. Our education system leaves behind Americans who want to head directly into the workforce pursuing careers that don’t require a college degree. It's high time we fix this by focusing on giving all American workers all the tools they need to grow our workforce, boost the economy, and secure a bright future. My bill is all about shaking up the education system to give a leg up to the folks who've been overlooked for too long while finally bridging the gap between,” said Congressman Miller.

Bill text may be found here.

The American Workforce Act would:

• Create a $9,000 federal voucher available to prospective “trainees,” defined as any citizen with a high school degree/GED, but without a bachelor’s degree or higher.

• Offer an additional $1,000 bonus to employers for each trainee that is hired after completion of the workforce training program.

• Require participating employers to provide training for positions paid at least 80% of the local median household income.

• Allow the voucher to subsidize employer-led workforce training that offers a full time, paid position combing on-the-job experience and skilled workforce training.

• Give employers wide flexibility to build their own training programs or delegate the training to a valid third-party entity, such as a trade association, community college, high school, non-profit, or union.

• Require E-Verify at participating employers.

• Levy a one percent tax on the fair market value of endowments that 1) have more than 500 full-time enrolled students, 2) have endowments worth more than $2.5 billion and $500,000 per full-time enrolled student, 3) do not have a religious mission.

Image by aleksandarlittlewolf on Freepik

Cotton to Bowser: Allow D.C. Police to uphold the law

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Senate Cotton urged Mayor Bowser to reverse her decision to not let the D.C. Metro Police assist George Washington University officials restore order on the school’s campus due to protestors setting up an encampment.

Hundreds of students gather in front of Gelman Library before the start of a protest march to the White House. (Photo: Logan Werlinger/GW Today)

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:

“Whether it is due to incompetence or sympathy for the cause of these Hamas supporters, you are failing to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens by letting a terrorist-supporting mob take over a large area of a university. Your actions are a good reminder of why Washington, D.C. must never become a state.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

April 29, 2024

The Honorable Muriel Bowser
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004

Dear Mayor Bowser,

Since last week, protestors have "occupied" George Washington University's campus and are demanding that the university divest from the one Jewish state.

Campus officials requested help from the D.C. Metro Police last week, but even as they prepared to assist the "mayor's office told police to stand down and said it would look bad publicly for police to disrupt a 'small number of peaceful protestors.'"

I'm writing to inform you: What looks bad publicly is D.C. allowing a band of antisemitic, mask- wearing fanatics who call for an "intifada revolution" to tum a university into a pro-Hamas encampment.

I have no doubt that if protestors were illegally gathered in opposition to Washington, D.C.'s disastrous record on crime, you would have quickly ordered the police to intervene.

Whether it is due to incompetence or sympathy for the cause of these Hamas supporters, you are failing to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens by letting a terrorist-supporting mob take over a large area of a university. Your actions are a good reminder of why Washington, D.C. must never become a state.

I'm calling on you to reverse your decision and allow the D.C. police to uphold the law.

Sincerely,

Boozman, Cotton introduce bill to report illegal immigrant attempts to purchase firearm

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) to introduce legislation that would require the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and relevant local law enforcement when an illegal immigrant tries to purchase a gun.

“Alerting the proper authorities when illegal immigrants seek to obtain firearms is commonsense. I’m proud to join Senator Cotton and our colleagues on this legislation to help protect our communities,” Boozman said. 

Image by Taylor R

“Those who come into America illegally should be detained and deported. They certainly shouldn’t be able to purchase a firearm. Our bill is necessary to ensure the proper authorities are notified when an illegal immigrant attempts to buy a gun,” Cotton said. 

“The National Instant Criminal Background Check system is an important tool to ensure firearms stay out of the wrong hands, which is why I co-introduced the Fix NICS Act. It is already against the law for an illegal immigrant to purchase a firearm, and this legislation would notify the appropriate authorities when an illegal immigrant tries to break the law,” said Tillis.

“Our local law enforcement and immigration officials should have the tools to know if folks are in our country illegally. Instead of taking every opportunity to crack down on lawful FFLs just trying to earn a living, the Biden administration should capitalize on their dutiful work by using their resources to prevent unlawful actions by illegal immigrants. In the face of the border crisis of its own making, President Biden’s priorities again are out of touch. This bill will help officials do their job and keep our communities safe,” said Ernst.  

“I have no confidence in this administration’s willingness or ability to prevent illegal aliens from unlawfully entering our country, let alone in preventing them from illegally obtaining a firearm,” said Lummis. “If this administration refuses to enforce our existing immigration laws, we must empower law enforcement and immigration officials to hold them accountable and take appropriate action to keep our communities safe.” 

Bill text may be found here.

Background: 

• When a person tries to buy a firearm from a store, the firearm seller, known as a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), contacts the NICS to conduct a background check. That background check verifies the buyer is not ineligible to purchase or own a firearm.

• The FBI maintains a record of prohibited persons which currently includes the names of 14.8 million illegal immigrants. NICS is not, however, required to notify immigration authorities if an applicant is in the country illegally.

• Since November 30, 1998, NICS has issued denials for 49,411 attempted firearm purchases by illegal immigrants. 

Cotton to Biden: Investigate and Ban Temu

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden about the retail application Temu and its harmful practices, including gathering massive amounts of Americans’ personal data. Senator Cotton asked President Biden to address questions about the Chinese government’s control over the app, Temu’s violations of U.S. laws and regulations, and actions the administration can take against Temu.

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:

“As with TikTok and other invasive Chinese apps, Temu has no place in America. It’s a threat to American producers, investors, online retailers, and every single American’s personal privacy. I urge you to investigate Temu and to request the authorities necessary to protect Americans from this dangerous Chinese application.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

April 15, 2024

President Joseph R. Biden?

The White House,?

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW?

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Biden,

I write to you regarding the urgent threat from the Chinese retail application, Temu. This malign app is a pipeline of dumped, counterfeit, and slave-labor products from China that is also gathering massive quantities of Americans’ personal data.

After launching in 2022, Temu has skyrocketed to one of the most downloaded apps in America and already rivals eBay for online sales. It has achieved this astronomical growth through billions of dollars of advertisements, including Super Bowl ads, and by undercutting competitors with extremely cheap and often counterfeit Chinese goods. Temu sells many of its products at a fraction of the price of its American competitors.

Temu’s goods are cheap not because of fair competition, but rather because of China’s familiar combination of intellectual-property theft, government subsidies, and human-rights abuses. For example, Temu directly copies Amazon storefronts and then sells knock-off Chinese versions of the product at a deeply discounted rate. Temu also likely benefits from the use of slave labor. According to the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, “American consumers should know that there is an extremely high risk that Temu’s supply chains are contaminated with forced labor.”

Temu is getting away with this intellectual-property theft, unfair competition, and use of slave labor by flooding the American market with more than a million individual packages a week. Worse still, the company is importing these goods tax-free under the so-called de minimis loophole in such volumes that Customs and Border Protection simply can’t keep up.

Further, Temu is harvesting vast amounts of personal information from American consumers. In fact, Temu’s data gathering may be even more dangerous than TikTok’s and, according to one lawsuit, the app can access “everything on your phone.” Google Play also removed Temu’s parent company Pinduoduo’s (PDD) app as a result of harmful malware hidden in the app that gave it access to everything from biometrics to information about Wi-Fi networks.[x] This poses a grave threat to Americans’ privacy. PDD Holdings received more than $400 million in “income” from the PRC government last year, which suggests that PDD Holdings may be selling data collected on Temu to entities affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.

As with TikTok and other invasive Chinese apps, Temu has no place in America. It’s a threat to American producers, investors, online retailers, and every single American’s personal privacy. I urge you to investigate Temu and to request the authorities necessary to protect Americans from this dangerous Chinese application. I also urge you to end the de minimis loophole for China and other American adversaries.

Please provide answers to the following questions by May 10, 2024.

1. To what degree does the Chinese government exercise control or influence over Temu and its parent company PDD Holdings?

2. How many leaders of Temu and its parent company PDD Holdings are members of or affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party?

3. Has your administration investigated Temu’s data gathering and its threat to American personal privacy?

4. To what extent does Temu steal and counterfeit American products and has the Department of Justice’s Intellectual Property Section investigated Temu, PDD Holdings, and members of the Board of Directors for criminal intellectual-property violations?

5. Has your administration directed the Department of the Treasury to investigate Temu for possible violations of anti-money laundering regulations?

6. Has your administration directed the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate PDD Holdings for potential securities fraud given its status as a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange? 

7. Is it safe for military personnel to have Temu downloaded on their personal or government devices?

8. What authorities would your administration need to ban Temu? If given these authorities, would you follow through with a ban? 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Cotton, Sullivan, Colleagues to Austin: NATO is Not a Charity

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and 20 of their Senate Republican colleagues, today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin requesting an update on how the Department of Defense evaluates U.S. activities as they relate to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members’ defense expenditures, in compliance with the requirement in the FY24 NDAA.

Co-signing the letter were Senators Rick Scott (R-Florida), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri).

In part, the senators wrote:

“NATO is not a charity; it’s a military alliance. All NATO members must bear a meaningful share of the burdens of collective defense.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

April 4, 2024

The Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III
Secretary of Defense?
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000

Dear Mr. Secretary,

We write to you inquiring how the Department of Defense is implementing Section 1250 of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This provision of law requires you to consider whether a NATO partner “has achieved defense spending of not less than 2 percent of its gross domestic product” when weighing decisions related to U.S. military basing, training, and exercises within the alliance.

We are committed to the historic NATO alliance and are encouraged that NATO countries collectively increased defense spending by 11% in 2023. However, a total of only 11 out of 32 NATO countries presently meet their defense spending commitments under the 2014 Wales and 2023 Vilnius Summit Declarations. According to optimistic estimates, 18 NATO nations are expected to meet their defense spending commitments this year. This means that barely half of NATO members will meet the deadline to increase defense spending to a minimum of two percent of gross domestic product—a deadline that was self-imposed and agreed to by unanimous consent.

Many wealthy NATO members have chronically shortchanged their own militaries and relied on other members of the alliance, particularly the United States, to make the investments necessary to achieve collective defense. The United States cannot be expected to satisfy its financial obligation if other NATO members are unwilling or unable to do the same. Our government must hold these allies accountable and Section 1250 of the FY24 NDAA is an important step in that direction.

NATO is not a charity; it’s a military alliance. All NATO members must bear a meaningful share of the burdens of collective defense.

We therefore request an update no later than April 25 on how the Department of Defense evaluates U.S. activities as they relate to NATO members’ defense expenditures, in compliance with the requirement in the FY24 NDAA.

We appreciate your attention to this important matter.

 Sincerely,

Cotton, Colleagues to Biden: Hosting Iraqi Prime Minister is Inappropriate, Undermines Israel

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and 7 of his congressional colleagues today sent a letter to President Joe Biden to express their deep concern with the White House’s plan to host Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in April.

The letter notes that President Biden’s decision to meet with Prime Minister al-Sudani at this time sends the message that the Biden administration is more interested in appeasing Iran than supporting Israel defeat Hamas. The planned visit will occur even as Iraq continues to fund numerous terror groups and remains under significant Iranian influence.

Co-signing the letter were Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida), Congressman Jake Ellzey (Texas-06), Congressman French Hill (Arkansas-02), Congressman Mike Turner (Ohio-10), and Congressman Mike Waltz (Florida-06). 

Text of the letter may be found here and below.

March 28, 2024

President Joseph R. Biden
The White House,
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20502

Dear President Biden,

We write to express our deep concern with your invitation to host Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the White House in April. 

Hosting the Iraqi Prime Minister, especially while failing to meet with leaders of some of our most trusted partners in the region, amplifies the message of your ongoing campaign to undermine Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: The Biden administration is interested in appeasing Iran, not supporting our allies. 

The Iraqi government remains under significant Iranian influence, and the Iraqi government provides some $3 billion per year to the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces militias, including four U.S.-designated terrorist groups. These militias have attacked Americans and Kurdistan over 180 times just since October 7, 2023, resulting in three American servicemember deaths and over 100 casualties. Yet you continue granting sanctions waivers to the Iraqi government to import Iranian electricity and natural gas, all while using U.S. dollars transferred to Iraq from the Federal Reserve. And while you invite the Iraqi Prime Minister to visit Washington, you have refused to meet with Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, a critical partner and the host of the most U.S. forces in the region. 

The Iraqi government is actively working with Tehran against our Kurdish allies, including cutting off government funds and closing the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline, which represents most of Kurdistan’s economy. You should focus on reducing Iranian influence in Iraq and shoring up support for our partners in Kurdistan. As a precondition of any visit by Prime Minister al-Sudani, you should require the immediate reopening of the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline so that the Kurdistan Region is able to export oil and U.S. public and private financing are no longer threatened by Tehran’s influence in Baghdad. You should also require that the Iraqi government resume funding for the Kurdistan Region, the immediate sale of Kurdistan crude already at the Ceyhan port, and a full cycle of oil sales and payments to Kurdistan and its oil investors. Finally, you should not allow further U.S. dollar transfers to Iraq until the Treasury Department certifies that such transfers do not benefit the Iranian regime or its proxies.

Your appeasement of Iran has endangered American national security and weakened our relationship with our allies. While the corrective actions outlined here will not undo the damage you’ve caused, they represent an important first step.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

ICYMI: Womack, Boozman, Cotton secure funding for Ebbing Air National Guard Base

Washington, DC—March 25, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR), Senator John Boozman (R-AR), and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) secured nearly $291 million for Ebbing Air National Guard Base in FY24 Appropriations bills.

Congressman Womack said, “Fort Smith will be the premier location for F-35 FMS training and Singapore's F-16 mission. I'm proud of our work to secure vital investments for Ebbing Air National Guard Base, promoting Arkansas' role in bolstering national security and boosting the region's economy. This ensures the installation receives the necessary funding to build infrastructure and keeps the mission beddown on schedule. I look forward to hearing the 'Sound of Freedom' very soon in the River Valley!”

Senator Boozman said, “I’m proud to work with Congressman Womack and Senator Cotton to secure funding for Ebbing Air National Guard Base that will make it the premier pilot training center in the country. This investment will enhance the base infrastructure to deliver on-time training for our partners. I look forward to continuing our work to deliver resources in support of the new mission.”

Senator Cotton said, “I'm pleased that this funding resulted in Ebbing Air National Guard Base receiving over $207 million. Our delegation's efforts ensure that Arkansas will continue to lead the way in securing our national defense.”

The FY24 Defense Appropriations bill was signed into law Saturday, which delivered nearly $208 million for the Foreign Military Sales mission's future pilot training sites and pilot training center.

The FY24 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill was signed into law on March 9, which delivered $83 million for Ebbing Air National Guard Base construction, planning, and design.

Crawford, Cohen, Boozman, Cotton, introduce bill to mint coin memorializing Sultana disaster

Washington — Congressmen Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Steve Cohen (TN-09), along with U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), introduced legislation to create a commemorative coin in remembrance of the greatest maritime disaster in U.S. history – the sinking of the Sultana Steamboat. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the coin  will help fund the preservation, maintenance, and display of artifacts at the Sultana Disaster Museum in Marion, Arkansas, as well as assist in the construction of a new and larger facility.

“The tragedy of the Sultana is one that is often forgotten about, but it serves as an important reminder of our past and the lives that were lost. This bill helps fund the efforts of those at the Sultana Disaster Museum who have dedicated their time to telling this story and keeping the memory of the victims alive. I’m proud to work with my friend Steve Cohen to bring awareness about what happened so long ago, during that horrible time of extreme fracture and violence, where brother fought against brother. I hope that Steve and my working together, across the aisle, for this shared purpose can show Americans that brighter days are always in front of us,” said Crawford.

“The Sultana disaster and loss of life in the Mississippi River within sight of Memphis in 1865 deserves the commemoration this coin represents. Americans should know of the sacrifice made by so many in the tragic days as the Civil War finally drew to an end, as well as the senseless negligence that caused it. I’m pleased to work with my friend Rick Crawford, who represents the Crittenden County graveyard of the historic steamship northwest of Memphis, and hope our efforts bring further attention to this tragic footnote in American history,” said Cohen.

“As community support for the Sultana Disaster Museum continues to grow, we’re carrying the momentum in Congress by introducing this legislation to preserve the history of this tragedy and honor the victims and survivors with a commemorative coin. I’m proud to join this initiative to ensure both are forever remembered,” said Boozman.

“This coin will continue to honor the victims, and raise awareness about one of the worst tragedies in our military’s history. It is an important piece of history that I’m proud to join the Arkansas delegation in remembering,” said Cotton.

Sultana Disaster Museum Picture

The Sultana was a 260-foot-long wooden steamboat that exploded, burned, and sank into the Mississippi River on April 27, 1865. This tragedy claimed the lives of more than 1,000 passengers. Most of the victims were released Union prisoners of war who were returning to the north after the end of the Civil War.

Efforts to preserve artifacts from the Sultana began in 1982 when the remains of the Sultana were rediscovered. In 2011, Arkansas State University hosted the first public exhibit of relics from the disaster. A small museum opened in Marion to house these pieces of history and, after persistent efforts from the community and the Sultana Historical Preservation Society, ground was broken in November 2022 on a new multi-million dollar facility to host this educational and economic resource. 

This legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of Treasury to mint in 2027 $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins and half-dollar coins.

Cotton, Stefanik introduce legislation to stop Pentagon from using Chinese-owned tutoring service

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation, the Ban Chinese Communist Party Access to U.S. Military Students Act, to prevent the Department of Defense (DoD) from using Tutor.com. The website provides educational services to DoD service members and their families. Tutor.com is owned by Primavera Capital Group, an investment firm with links to the Chinese Communist Party. 

The legislation follows a letter Senator Cotton sent to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging him to sever DoD’s contract with Tutor.com. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (New York-21) is introducing companion legislation in the House. 

“There is no reason the Pentagon should be paying a Chinese-owned service that collects the data of our service members and their families. There are plenty of American companies that offer tutoring services and aren’t subject to the Chinese government,” said Senator Cotton. 

“I am proud to join Senator Cotton in introducing legislation prohibiting the DoD from utilizing Communist Chinese-owned company Tutor.com to educate our service members and their families. We cannot allow Communist China to collect an arsenal of data on our service members and their families that can be weaponized against them, posing a grave and unnecessary threat to America’s national security,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. 

Cotton, Banks introduce the Countering Chinese Political Warfare Act

Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Countering Chinese Political Warfare Act, legislation that would sanction any individual or group that conducts political warfare on behalf of a foreign government against the United States. The legislation also requires the Secretary of State to determine if the United Front Work Department (UFWD)—an overseas influence arm of the Chinese Communist Party—qualifies for sanctions. Representative Jim Banks (Indiana-03) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“The Chinese Communist Party has proven that it will spread disinformation and lie any way it can—from the oppression of Uyghurs, to the origins of COVID-19, to it accessing the data of Americans who use TikTok. Any person or group who spread the Chinese Communists’ propaganda, like UFWD, should face sanctions,” said Senator Cotton. 

“The United Front Work Department has targeted our universities, state and local lawmakers, business associations and even Congress. This bill gives America the necessary tools to strike back against malign Communist Party influence on US soil,” said Congressman Banks.

Text of the bill may be found here. 

The Countering Chinese Political Warfare would:

• Create a new sanctions authority against state backed political warfare networks.

• Require the Secretary of State to examine whether or not the United Front Work Department meets the criteria to be sanctioned under this new authority. 

Background:

• On December 2, 2020 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took the historic step of imposing visa sanctions on individuals active in the UFWD.  

• Chairman Xi has described the United Front as a “magic weapon” that will help bring about “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” 

• The United Front has led aggressive campaigns of subversion and espionage on U.S. college campuses through the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) and Chinese-language centers called Confucius Institutes. The United Front has also funded a number of think tanks in Washington D.C., and co-opted business leaders to squash criticism of China. Despite this information, there are currently over a hundred United Front organizations that openly operate in the United States.

Boozman, Cotton, Hyde-Smith Hail Victory for U.S. Catfish Producers as Commerce Dept. Reverses Decision Favoring Imports from Vietnam

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) in claiming victory for U.S. farm-raised catfish producers and processors following the U.S. Department of Commerce’s announcement reversing a preliminary decision that would have greatly reduced anti-dumping duties on imported catfish from companies controlled by the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The Commerce Department backpedaled after Boozman, Cotton, Hyde-Smith and their colleagues as well as stakeholders raised concerns that the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry would be devastated if it didn’t reverse the preliminary decision pertaining to the administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order on U.S imports of Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 

“Catfish producers in Arkansas and their neighbors are committed to providing the fresh, nutritious and quality supply that ends up on tables around our country, but their ability to continue doing so would have been devastated if this decision had been finalized. They deserve a level playing field, and I’m pleased we have helped keep them from being undercut by an inferior and heavily subsidized product,” Boozman, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said. 

“This reversal is a welcome decision, and I’m proud to have worked with Senator Hyde-Smith, Senator Boozman, and our Republican colleagues to protect Arkansas’s catfish farmers and consumers across the country,” Cotton said. 

“The Commerce Department actually heeded our warnings and the rescission of this review is a clear victory for the U.S. catfish industry, which is so important to Mississippi and other rural states. It’s also a victory for American consumers, who will not be put at risk from tainted imported catfish,” Hyde-Smith said. 

A Federal Register notice published on Thursday indicated the Biden administration is abandoning its preliminary decision, which would have reduced the non-market economy anti-dumping duty from $2.39/kg to $0.14/kg for all producers controlled by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 

In January, Boozman, Cotton and Hyde-Smith led a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo that requested her agency abandon plans to significantly reduce the duties on Vietnamese catfish imports, arguing it would also set a precedent for the approximately 250 non-market economy proceedings involving communist governments. The letter was also signed by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Katie Britt (R-AL).

Arkansas ranks as the third-largest catfish-producing state. Boozman and Cotton have championed the industry’s interests on multiple occasions, including previously leading a bicameral coalition that secured approval of a Section 32 purchase of up to $42 million of catfish products by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs, including charitable institutions.

Cotton, Brown, colleagues introduce legislation to stop Mexican steel surge

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) today introduced the Stop Mexico’s Steel Surge Act, legislation that would curb the unsustainable levels of Mexican steel imports into the United States.

The legislation follows letters (letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and letter to USTR Tai and Commerce Secretary Raimondo) Senators Cotton and Brown sent to the Biden administration addressing their concerns about the economic and national security consequences of the steel imports coming from Mexico. The bill would reinstate tariffs on Mexican steel imports and bring Mexico into compliance with the trade commitments that it continues to violate.

Senators John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Rick Scott (R-Florida), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) are co-sponsors of the legislation. Representatives Rick Crawford (Arkansas-01) and Frank Mrvan (Indiana-01) are introducing companion legislation in the House.

Text of the bill may be found here.

“Mexico’s violation of its 2019 agreement with the United States has released a surge of steel products into America that’s hurt our workers and made us less secure. It’s past time for more negotiation. This legislation will stop Mexico from continuing to surge steel into our market,” said Senator Cotton.

“Ohio steelworkers can’t wait any longer for Mexico’s cheating to stop. Workers are losing their jobs and Ohio companies are losing business now,” said Senator Brown. “When Mexico breaks the rules they agreed to, the Administration needs to hold them accountable. This bill would take the action Ohio workers desperately need to level the playing field with Mexico.”

“Mexico’s practice of steel dumping is a flagrant breach of our trade agreement and has caused significant harm to our steel industry. We cannot allow bad actors to take advantage of trade agreements by attacking one specific American industry. It’s time to put our foot down and put tariffs in place to prevent Mexico from flooding our markets and causing further damage to American steel manufacturers,” said Congressman Crawford.

“It is imperative that we do everything we can to defend American steelworkers against unfair trade practices.  I am proud to collaborate with my House and Senate colleagues on this initiative to ensure that our domestic steel industry can compete on a level playing field,” said Congressman Mrvan.

The Stop Mexico’s Steel Surge Act would:

• Reinstate a 25 percent Section 232 tariffs on Mexican steel imports for no less than one year and empowers the president to impose quotas or tariff rate quotas on specific goods where there have been major surges.

• The administration may only lift these tariffs once the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative certify that Mexico has adopted policies bringing it into compliance with the 2019 agreement and are confident that Mexico will maintain these policies.

Cotton seeks answers on Biden’s sanctions of Israelis

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden, seeking clarification on his February 1, 2024 executive order on imposing sanctions on Israelis “in the West Bank.” Senator Cotton asked President Biden to respond by February 27.

Text of the letter may be found here and below.

February 20, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden,

Your recent executive order targets Israelis with sanctions who are “in the West Bank.” Does this phrase include Jerusalem? If so, what parts of Jerusalem? Where are the borders within Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, that you are using for purposes of implementing the executive order?

Please provide your response by February 27, 2024.  

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

______________________

Tom Cotton
United States Senator

Cotton leads 22 members of Congress in court challenge to fight Biden Administration’s investor surveillance scheme

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with 21 of his colleagues in Congress, yesterday filed an amicus brief in American Securities Association and Citadel Securities v. SEC in the Eleventh Circuit of Appeals, challenging the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed funding scheme for its Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT). The CAT would collect vast amounts of private information of every American investor, including any American with a retirement account, without any suggestion of wrongdoing by the investor. Because Congress never authorized or provided funding for the CAT, the SEC’s proposed scheme would force the investors themselves to pay to be surveilled, increasing their costs, and invading their privacy all at once.

“The SEC never brought this proposal before Congress to request funds because the Biden administration knows the program is a gross overreach that would suck up the personal data of millions of law-abiding Americans. More than that, the SEC has shown it is incapable of safely storing sensitive data. This program needs to be killed before it begins,” said Senator Cotton.

The amicus brief may be found here.

The following members of Congress also signed the brief:

Sen. John Boozman (R-Arkansas)

Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana)

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota)

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana)

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee)

Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana)

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)

Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska)

Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina)

Rep. Mark Alford (Missouri-04)

Rep. Don Bacon (Nebraska-02)

Rep. Mike Collins (Georgia-10)

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (Wisconsin-05)

Rep. French Hill (Arkansas-02)

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (Georgia-11)

Rep. Alex X. Mooney (West Virginia-02)

Rep. Ralph Norman (South Carolina-05)

Rep. John Rose (Tennessee-06)

Rep. Keith Self (Texas-03)

Rep. Randy Weber (Texas-14)

Rep. Steve Womack (Arkansas-03)