Tom Cotton

Cotton Introduces Bill to Safeguard American Military Assets from Foreign Adversaries | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton introduced legislation that would establish a legal presumption that foreign nationals photographing or tracking U.S. military assets intend to harm the United States, creating criminal liability for such conduct.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 30, 2026 Cotton Introduces Bill to Safeguard American Military Assets from Foreign Adversaries Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to safeguard America’s most sensitive military assets from foreign adversaries. The Visual Protection of Strategic Assets Act presumes any foreigner from a country of concern caught photographing or tracking American military material acts with intent to harm the United States. This follows multiple recent arrests of foreign nationals accused of photographing highly sensitive American military bases. “Foreign nationals photographing sensitive military assets are only doing so for one reason, to spy on the United States. My bill would hold these criminals accountable,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the bill can be found here. The Visual Protection of Strategic Assets Act would:

Cotton Statement Following House Vote on Department of Homeland Security Funding | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton supports increased funding for ICE and border patrol operations, characterizing the Democratic position as an attempt to defund these agencies that ultimately failed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 30, 2026 Cotton Statement Following House Vote on Department of Homeland Security Funding Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released a statement following the vote in the House of Representatives to fund the Department of Homeland Security, ending a 76-day Democrat shutdown of the agency: “Democrats closed the Department of Homeland Security for 76 days and achieved nothing. They wanted to defund ICE and border patrol, but their plan backfired. Republicans will now supercharge ICE and border patrol funding without a single Democrat vote.”

Cotton to Mullin: Investigate “De Facto Amnesty” Fraud Scheme | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton opposes the current U visa program, arguing it operates as de facto amnesty by allowing illegal immigrants to exploit loopholes for permanent legal status and work authorization, and calls for DHS investigation into fraud and program abuse.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 28, 2026 Cotton to Mullin: Investigate “De Facto Amnesty” Fraud Scheme Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) yesterday sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mullin urging an investigation into illegal migrant exploitation of the U visa program. Originally intended to assist law enforcement investigations, fraudsters now target the U visa program due to the benefits illegal migrants gain simply by applying. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “I write concerning the U visa program that appears to operate as a de facto amnesty program for hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens. Congress originally created this program to assist law enforcement with investigating and prosecuting serious crimes. Instead, criminal illegal aliens are reportedly exploiting loopholes to gain permanent legal status.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. The Honorable Markwayne Mullin Secretary Department of Homeland Security 2702 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE Washington, D.C. 20528 I write concerning the U visa program that appears to operate as a de facto amnesty program for hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens. Congress originally created this program to assist law enforcement with investigating and prosecuting serious crimes. Instead, criminal illegal aliens are reportedly exploiting loopholes to gain permanent legal status. Criminal organizations have reportedly staged fake crimes so fraudsters can qualify for U visas. In one example, eleven Indian nationals staged armed robberies at convenience stores so store clerks could falsely claim they were victims of a crime on their immigration applications. Additionally, Illinois and California passed state laws which require their law enforcement agencies to presume all U visa claims are valid and sharply limit officer discretion. As of June 2025, more than 400,000 U visa petitions remain pending at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), even though Congress limits approvals to 10,000 principal visas per year. This massive backlog forces legitimate victims, especially women and children fleeing domestic violence and sexual assault, to wait six to ten years for relief, with some forced to wait more than 15 years. Meanwhile, USCIS’s policies grant full work authorization and deferred action to hundreds of thousands of applicants, some here illegally with fraudulent claims. In fact, a USCIS study of petitioners revealed that 79 percent had never held lawful status and many had prior deportation proceedings. Another DHS Office of the Inspector General report found that 66 percent of U visa applications rested on closed criminal cases, meaning applicants could not possibly assist law enforcement as is the intent of the program. These applicants are likely able to work and receive benefits solely because they applied for a U visa. Many law enforcement agencies report that the program provides little prosecutorial benefit while imposing heavy administrative burdens. I commend President Trump for his strong leadership in defending our homeland by aggressively deporting criminal illegal immigrants and restoring law and order. The failures within this program undermine law enforcement, burden state and local police, and leave genuine crime victims waiting years for justice. To help Congress improve and restore integrity to the program, I respectfully request the following information: I look forward to working with you on this matter. Tom Cotton United States Senator

Cotton Statement on COVID-19 Origin Coverup Indictment | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 28, 2026 Cotton Statement on COVID-19 Origin Coverup Indictment Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the federal indictment of a former senior National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) official for concealing records related to the origin of COVID-19: “Pointing out that COVID leaked from a lab in Communist China was never a conspiracy, it was common sense. The conspiracy was Tony Fauci and his assistants doing Xi Jinping’s dirty work and lying about COVID’s origins. I’m thankful that the Department of Justice and FBI are holding these fraudsters accountable.”

Cotton Introduces Bill to Protect Critical Infrastructure from Drones | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton introduced legislation to authorize federally trained personnel to protect critical infrastructure sites from unauthorized drone threats, expanding on counter-drone measures previously included in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 23, 2026 Cotton Introduces Bill to Protect Critical Infrastructure from Drones Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to protect critical infrastructure sites from unauthorized drones. The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act enhances security at critical infrastructure sites by ensuring federally trained individuals have the authority and tools to protect the sites from unmanned aerial threats in real-time. This legislation expands on bipartisan counter-drone measures introduced by Senator Cotton and passed in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “Our hospitals, power plants, water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure sites can’t remain sitting ducks for potential drone attacks. My bill will ensure these important sites are protected from all unauthorized drones,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the bill can be found here. The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act would:

Cotton Introduces Bill to Eliminate National Security Risk Posed by CCP-Affiliated Drugs | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton introduced legislation directing the FDA and HHS to ensure that drugs in the U.S. supply chain are not manufactured by companies affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, citing national security concerns.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 16, 2026 Cotton Introduces Bill to Eliminate National Security Risk Posed by CCP-Affiliated Drugs Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to eliminate the national security risk posed by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence over entities that sell pharmaceuticals products to the American public. The Securing America’s Drug Supply from Communist China Act directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that drugs in the U.S. supply chain are not made by companies affiliated with the CCP. “Relying on our chief adversary for life-saving medicine endangers Arkansans and threatens our national security. My bill would ensure our drugs aren’t produced by companies affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the bill can be found here. The Securing America’s Drug Supply from Communist China Act would:

Cotton Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton introduced legislation to increase penalties for importers of illegal Chinese vapes, citing concerns about youth health and illicit nicotine product distribution.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 16, 2026 Cotton Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) yesterday introduced legislation to protect Arkansas youth by cracking down on dangerous, illicit Chinese vapes. The Eliminating Nefarious Distribution of Smuggled Chinese Vapes Act (ENDS Chinese Vapes Act) increases penalties for importers of illegal vapes. In 2025, Senator Cotton wrote a letter to the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary expressing concern about the distribution of illicit Chinese nicotine products. “Dangerous, illegal Chinese vapes threaten the health of our children. My bill would increase the penalty on companies that enable Communist China to sell these dangerous devices in American markets,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the bill can be found here. The Eliminating Nefarious Distribution of Smuggled Chinese Vapes (ENDS Chinese Vapes) Act would:

Cotton Introduces Bill to Lower Energy Costs for Arkansans | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton introduced legislation to streamline federal permitting for natural gas pipeline projects by designating FERC as the sole lead agency, arguing this will reduce energy costs for Arkansas consumers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 April 15, 2026 Cotton Introduces Bill to Lower Energy Costs for Arkansans Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to streamline natural gas pipeline projects. The Jurisdiction Oversight and Adjudication for Natural Gas Act affirms the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the sole lead agency and eliminates unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, which will lower energy costs for Arkansans. “Unnecessary, complex natural gas permitting laws often result in energy shortages and higher prices for Arkansans. My bill would streamline this process to lower prices,” said Senator Cotton. Text of the bill can be found here. The Jurisdiction Oversight and Adjudication for Natural Gas Act would:

Cotton Statement on Illegal Alien Drunk Driving Crash | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton expresses support for immigration enforcement and deportation of individuals in the country illegally, citing a fatal drunk driving incident allegedly involving an undocumented immigrant.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 March 30, 2026 Cotton Statement on Illegal Alien Drunk Driving Crash Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the fatal accident in Avoca, Arkansas, allegedly caused by an illegal alien: “The tragic deaths of Freda and Michael Cordes should have never happened, and my prayers are with their family and friends. I’m grateful for the quick work of Arkansas State Police in bringing this illegal alien criminal to face justice. The Department of Homeland Security deports violent illegal aliens just like this man to protect innocent Americans—Democrats in Washington must stop their political crusade, fund the department, and put the safety of Americans first.”

Cotton to Bessent: Temporarily Allow On-Road Use of Red Diesel to Help Arkansas Farmers | U.S. Senator Cotton of Arkansas

Position: Senator Cotton urges the Treasury Secretary to temporarily suspend federal penalties for on-road use of red diesel fuel to provide cost relief to Arkansas farmers facing financial hardship.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353 March 26, 2026 Cotton to Bessent: Temporarily Allow On-Road Use of Red Diesel to Help Arkansas Farmers Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging a temporary suspension on federal penalties for on-road use of red diesel fuel. Arkansas farmers are required to buy taxed highway diesel when using public roads, costing an extra 24 cents per gallon on every highway mile. In part, Senator Cotton wrote: “I write to urge the administration to implement a temporary moratorium on federal penalties for on-road use of red diesel fuel. American farmers continue to face a cost crisis that threatens the survival of family farms across the country. A penalty waiver for the duration of the current disruption to global energy markets would provide immediate relief at minimal cost to the federal government.” Full text of the letter may be found here and below. The Honorable Scott Bessent Secretary of the Treasury U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20220 I write to urge the administration to implement a temporary moratorium on federal penalties for on-road use of red diesel fuel. American farmers continue to face a cost crisis that threatens the survival of family farms across the country. A penalty waiver for the duration of the current disruption to global energy markets would provide immediate relief at minimal cost to the federal government. Thankfully the Trump administration made $12 billion available through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, but we must examine all options that may be available to assist farmers. Unfortunately, Arkansas led the country with 33 Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings in 2025, more than double the prior year. The gap between farm input costs and prices received hit a 10-year high in early 2026. Row crop producers in Arkansas expect to lose hundreds of dollars per acre on cotton, corn, rice, and soybeans this year. Fuel is one of the largest variable costs on any farm operation. Farmers use tax-exempt red diesel in their fields, but the moment they drive a truck on a public road to haul grain, livestock, or inputs, they must buy taxed highway diesel. Electric vehicles pay no federal fuel excise tax and contribute nothing to the Highway Trust Fund while using the same roads. The federal government spent billions subsidizing electric vehicles while farmers absorb rising fuel costs on shrinking margins. As Iranian aggression threatens the flow of petroleum through the Strait of Hormuz, a penalty moratorium would save farmers 24 cents per gallon on every highway mile. A nation that cannot feed itself cannot defend itself. And if we continue to lose family farms, we will depend on foreign producers for the food on our tables. Lifting the red diesel penalty is a small step the administration can take today to keep our family farms operational for generations to come. Tom Cotton United States Senator