Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Contact
326 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 224-2353
Last 5 Actions
Cosponsored S. 3179: Halo Act (Jan. 12, 2026)
Sponsored S. 3507: Put American Students First Act (Dec. 16, 2025)
Sponsored S. 3488: Asylum Reform and Loophole Closure Act (Dec. 16, 2025)
Sponsored S. 3318: American Citizens First Act (Dec. 3, 2025)
Voted No: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 2882: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026 (Oct. 9, 2025)
S. 3507: Put American Students First Act (Dec. 16, 2025)
S. 3488: Asylum Reform and Loophole Closure Act (Dec. 16, 2025)
S. 3318: American Citizens First Act (Dec. 3, 2025)
S. 2941: Visa Cap Enforcement Act (Sept. 30, 2025)
S. 2940: OPT Fair Tax Act (Sept. 30, 2025)
S. 2755: Protecting American Research and Talent Act (Sept. 10, 2025)
S. 2567: CAP Act of 2025 (July 31, 2025)
S. 2274: Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act of 2025 (July 15, 2025)
S. 2001: No Visas for Violent Criminals Act (June 10, 2025)
S. 929: GATE Act of 2025 (March 11, 2025)
S. 198: PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025 (Jan. 22, 2025)
S. 176: Not One More Inch or Acre Act (Jan. 22, 2025)
S. 49: Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2025 (Jan. 9, 2025)
S. 4756: No Visas for Violent Criminals Act (July 24, 2024)
S. 4459: Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act of 2024 (June 5, 2024)
S. 4165: Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act (April 18, 2024)
S. 2785: Higher Wages for American Workers Act of 2023 (Sept. 13, 2023)
S. 2324: Ensuring American Security and Protecting Afghan Allies Act (July 13, 2023)
S. 872: SAFETY on Social Media Act of 2023 (March 16, 2023)
S. 761: Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023 (March 9, 2023)
S. 224: Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act of 2023 (Feb. 1, 2023)
S.J.Res. 5: A joint resolution disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. (Jan. 31, 2023)
S. 3179: Halo Act (Jan. 12, 2026)
S. 2967: Border Lands Conservation Act (Oct. 9, 2025)
S. 556: Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 (Oct. 3, 2025)
S. 2893: SEVER Act of 2025 (Sept. 18, 2025)
S. 2269: PRICE Act (Sept. 15, 2025)
S. 2553: Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act (July 30, 2025)
S. 2308: PATRIOT Parks Act (July 16, 2025)
S. 2293: Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025 (July 15, 2025)
S.Res. 212: A resolution affirming the acceptable outcome of any nuclear deal between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for other purposes. (May 8, 2025)
S. 1589: Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2025 (May 5, 2025)
S. 1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 (April 1, 2025)
S. 1123: A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution of higher education that employs unauthorized aliens from receiving funds from Federal student assistance or Federal institutional aid and to require institutions of higher education to participate in the E-Verify Program in order to be eligible to participate in any program authorized under title IV of such Act. (March 26, 2025)
S. 1128: Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act (March 25, 2025)
S.Res. 72: A resolution affirming that Hamas cannot retain any political or military control in the Gaza Strip. (Feb. 11, 2025)
S. 159: Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act (Jan. 21, 2025)
S. 145: Dismantle Iran's Proxy Act of 2025 (Jan. 16, 2025)
S. 128: SAVE Act (Jan. 16, 2025)
S. 70: A bill to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism. (Jan. 13, 2025)
S. 5: Laken Riley Act (Jan. 6, 2025)
S. 4292: SAVE Act (Sept. 10, 2024)
S. 4529: Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2024 (June 13, 2024)
S.J.Res. 94: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the proposed rule submitted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to the Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule. (June 5, 2024)
S. 4392: Build the Wall Act of 2024 (May 22, 2024)
S.Res. 608: A resolution denouncing the Biden Administration's immigration policies. (March 21, 2024)
S. 3923: Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act of 2024 (March 12, 2024)
S. 3933: Laken Riley Act (March 12, 2024)
S. 3833: Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act (Feb. 29, 2024)
S. 3239: PRINTS Act (Nov. 7, 2023)
S. 3187: Southern Border Transparency Act of 2023 (Nov. 1, 2023)
S. 2983: Schools Not Shelters Act (Sept. 28, 2023)
S. 2824: Secure the Border Act of 2023 (Sept. 14, 2023)
S. 2774: SEVER Act of 2023 (Sept. 12, 2023)
S. 2091: Kate's Law (June 21, 2023)
S.J.Res. 25: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States". (June 7, 2023)
S. 1461: Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2023 (May 4, 2023)
S. 1068: Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (March 30, 2023)
S. 685: Stopping Border Surges Act (March 7, 2023)
S. 505: Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023 (Feb. 16, 2023)
S. 333: Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2023 (Feb. 9, 2023)
S. 348: Asylum Abuse Reduction Act (Feb. 9, 2023)
S.Res. 45: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the current influx of migrants is causing a crisis at the southern border. (Feb. 9, 2023)
S. 156: Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act (Jan. 31, 2023)
S. 2882 : Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed -- Voted No (Oct. 9, 2025)
S. 2882 : Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
On the Cloture Motion -- Voted No (Oct. 6, 2025)
S. 2882 : Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed -- Voted No (Oct. 3, 2025)
S. 2882 : Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed -- Voted No (Oct. 1, 2025)
H.R. 1 : One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On Passage of the Bill -- Voted Yes (July 1, 2025)
S. 5 : Laken Riley Act
On Passage of the Bill -- Voted Yes (Jan. 20, 2025)
S. 5 : Laken Riley Act
On the Coons Amendment to remove state Attorney General standing to sue to stop administrations from violating provisions of immigration law -- Voted No (Jan. 15, 2025)
S. 5 : Laken Riley Act
On the Cornyn amendment to make aliens who assault a law enforcement officer inadmissible and deportable -- Voted Yes (Jan. 15, 2025)
H.R. 815 : Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
On the Motion -- Voted Yes (April 23, 2024)
H.R. 815 : Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
On the Cloture Motion -- Voted Yes (April 23, 2024)
H.R. 815 : Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
On the Motion to Table -- Voted Yes (April 23, 2024)
H.R. 2882 : Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
On the Motion to Table -- Voted No (March 23, 2024)
H.R. 2882 : Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
On the Motion to Table -- Voted Yes (March 23, 2024)
H.R. 2882 : Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
On the Motion to Table -- Voted Yes (March 23, 2024)
H.R. 2882 : Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
On the Motion to Table -- Voted Yes (March 23, 2024)
H.R. 4366 : Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
On the Motion -- Voted Yes (March 8, 2024)
H.R. 4366 : Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
On the Motion -- Voted Yes (March 8, 2024)
H.R. 4366 : Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
On the Cloture Motion -- Voted No (March 8, 2024)
H.R. 4366 : Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
On the Motion to Table -- Voted Yes (March 8, 2024)
H.R. 7463 : Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024
On the Motion -- Voted Yes (Feb. 29, 2024)
H.R. 7463 : Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024
On Passage of the Bill -- Voted Yes (Feb. 29, 2024)
H.R. 2872 : Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
On Passage of the Bill -- Voted Yes (Jan. 18, 2024)
H.R. 2872 : Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
On the Motion -- Voted No (Jan. 18, 2024)
H.R. 2670 : National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
On the Conference Report -- Voted Yes (Dec. 13, 2023)
H.R. 2670 : National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
On the Cloture Motion -- Voted Yes (Dec. 12, 2023)
H.R. 2670 : National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
On the Motion to Table -- Voted No (Dec. 12, 2023)
H.R. 6363 : Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024
On Passage of the Bill -- Voted Yes (Nov. 15, 2023)
H.R. 5860 : Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act
On Passage of the Bill -- Voted Yes (Sept. 30, 2023)
S. 2226 : National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
On Passage of the Bill -- Voted Yes (July 27, 2023)
S. 2226 : National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
On the Cloture Motion -- Voted Yes (July 18, 2023)
S.J.Res. 18 : A joint resolution disapproving of the rule submitted by the Department of Homeland Security relating to "Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility".
On the Joint Resolution -- Voted Yes (May 17, 2023)
Senator Budd Leads Legislation Banning Foreign Violators of Religious Freedom from Obtaining U.S. Visas
Jan. 16, 2026"It is entirely unacceptable for the U.S., a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom, to allow such foreign nationals into our country. By codifying the Trump administration’s directive to bar these malign actors from obtaining U.S. visas, we are establishing robust consequences for violators and sending a loud and clear message to the rest of the world that America will not tolerate any attack on religious freedom." — Senator Budd
"Any foreign official that is involved in the persecution of Christians, in Nigeria or anywhere else, has no business setting foot in the United States. This bill builds upon the decisive actions taken by Secretary of State Rubio and President Trump." — Senator Cotton
"Religious freedom is a God-given right, and our nation should never open its doors to those who persecute people of faith. If you direct, support, or take part in religious persecution, you should never be allowed to enter the United States." — Senator Lankford
Sen. Ted Budd, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. James LankfordCarter, Blackburn Lead Colleagues in Introducing Bicameral Legislation to Deport and Denaturalize Fraudsters Following Minnesota Somali Schemes
Jan. 8, 2026“Any alien or naturalized citizen who comes to the United States to defraud American taxpayers does not deserve to be here,” said Rep. Carter. “Tim Walz’s socialist Minnesota allowed both immigration and social programs to run unchecked, resulting in $9 billion worth of fraud that directly harms Minnesotans' access to childcare, nutrition, and other programs and may have funded terrorist activity overseas. Every immigrant involved in these schemes should be deported, and I thank Senator Blackburn for her leadership to ensure we welcome folks with integrity, not criminals.”
“Anyone who comes to the United States and steals from American taxpayers by committing fraud should be deported,” said Senator Blackburn. “The fraud schemes we have seen in Minnesota and across the country are a betrayal of hardworking American taxpayers, and individuals like the Somali scammers in Minnesota should be subject to both deportation and denaturalization for these crimes. The Fraud Accountability Act would hold these criminals accountable for robbing American taxpayers.”
“The rampant and unprecedented fraud uncovered in Minnesota involving Somali-run childcare centers and nonprofits is unconscionable, and Governor Walz’s complete deflection of any responsibility for this massive theft of U.S. taxpayer dollars under his watch is cowardly but unsurprising,” said Senator Cornyn. “Anyone who attempts to get rich at the expense of American taxpayers should be ashamed and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, and I’m proud to introduce this bill with Senator Blackburn to ensure any illegal alien who is convicted of fraud faces swift deportation for their flagrant abuse of taxpayer funds.”
“It’s completely unacceptable to waste Arkansas taxpayer dollars on fraudulent government programs,” said Senator Cotton. “Any alien who commits fraud against American taxpayers should be deported immediately.”
“North Carolina taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for blatant fraud schemes across the country,” said Senator Budd. “If government programs using taxpayer dollars are not run responsibly, we must ensure those who steal taxpayer dollars are held accountable.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. Ted Budd, Rep. Buddy Carter, Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Tom CottonCornyn, Colleagues Urge Review of Biden Administration’s Failed Vetting Process for Afghan Parolees
Dec. 8, 2025“It is past time for the United States to revisit the deficiencies of the Biden administration’s vetting process for Afghan nationals and remedy the resulting egregious security threats such a process created in the United States after the disastrous August 2021 withdrawal. We urge you to take immediate action to prevent future attacks on American servicemen and citizens,” wrote the Senators.
Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Tom CottonCotton Introduces Bill to Put American Citizens First
Dec. 3, 2025“Hardworking Arkansans should not be forced to support non-U.S. citizens on federal programs. My bill will put American citizens first,” said Senator Cotton.
Sen. Tom CottonCotton to Bessent: Investigate Illegal Immigrants access to US Banking Systems
Oct. 14, 2025“Access to the American banking system is a privilege that should be reserved for those who respect our laws and sovereignty. When individuals are allowed to open accounts without verifying legal status, we are permitting illegal aliens to establish financial roots and integrate economically, all while bypassing the legal channels that millions use properly.”
Sen. Tom CottonCotton Introduces Bill to End H-1B Visa Loophole for Universities
July 31, 2025“College and universities shouldn’t get special treatment to bring in more woke administrators and professors from around the world. In addition to securing our southern border, it’s also past time to fix our broken legal immigration system. Getting rid of this loophole is a good place to start,” said Senator Cotton.
Sen. Tom CottonCotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to End Birthright Citizenship for Illegal Aliens
July 15, 2025“There is no constitutional right for illegal aliens to cross the border to gain citizenship for their children. Granting birthright citizenship to illegal aliens has contributed to the highest levels of illegal immigration in history. Fixing this will help reduce the damage from Joe Biden’s catastrophic border crisis,” said Senator Cotton.
Sen. Tom CottonCotton Introduces Bills to Increase Penalties on Violent Rioters
June 10, 2025"Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the No Visas for Violent Criminals Act and the Mitigating Extreme Lawlessness and Threats Act. Together, the pair of bills would stiffen punishment for violent rioters by establishing and increasing mandatory minimum sentences for violent offenders and by requiring deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of a criminal offense during a protest.
“Rioters of any immigration status who assault ICE officers and engage in acts of violence should face stiff consequences. My bills make clear that Americans will not tolerate lawless rioting in support of illegal immigration,” said Senator Cotton."
Sen. Tom CottonBoozman, Cotton Praise Senate Passage of Laken Riley Act
Jan. 21, 2025"U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) applauded Senate passage of the Laken Riley Act by a bipartisan vote of 64-35. The legislation provides U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and state governments more tools to fight crime committed by illegal immigrants."
Sen. John Boozman, Sen. Tom CottonU.S. Senators Katie Britt, Ted Budd, John Thune, John Fetterman, Colleagues Introduce Laken Riley Act in 119th Congress
Jan. 7, 2025U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced the introduction of her first bill of the 119th Congress, the Laken Riley Act. Joining Senator Britt in reintroducing this companion bill in the Senate are Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.Dak.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and the entire Senate Republican Conference. This legislation was originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Collins (R-Ga.).
Sen. Jim Banks, Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. John Boozman, Sen. Katie Britt, Sen. Ted Budd, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Sen. Bill Cassidy, Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Kevin Cramer, Sen. Mike Crapo, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. John Curtis, Sen. Steve Daines, Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. John Fetterman, Sen. Deb Fischer, Sen. Ruben Gallego, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Bill Hagerty, Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Sen. Ron Johnson, Sen. John Kennedy, Sen. James Lankford, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, Sen. Roger Marshall, Sen. Mitch McConnell, Sen. Dave McCormick, Sen. Jerry Moran, Sen. Bernie Moreno, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Pete Ricketts, Sen. Jim Risch, Sen. Mike Rounds, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Eric Schmitt, Sen. Rick Scott, Sen. Tim Scott, Sen. Tim Sheehy, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. John Thune, Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Sen. JD Vance, Sen. Roger Wicker, Sen. Todd YoungCornyn Presses Mayorkas for Answers on Vetting of Afghan Parolee Charged in Connection with Terror Plot
Oct. 18, 2024"U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), along with Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting more information in light of reports suggesting Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national recently arrested in connection with a plot to commit a violent attack on behalf of ISIS in the United States on Election Day, was not vetted for a special immigrant visa as the Biden-Harris Justice Department originally claimed:
“We remain deeply troubled by the increasing likelihood that foreign extremists may successfully exploit the weaknesses of our immigration system or our southern border to commit an act of political violence or an act of terror here on U.S. soil, and the policies of the Biden-Harris administration have only made matters worse,” they wrote."
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Thom TillisGraham, Cornyn, Lee, Cruz, Hawley, Cotton, Tillis, Blackburn Press Mayorkas for Answers on Afghan National Vetting
Oct. 18, 2024"Today, Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for more information in light of media reports that suggest Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national recently arrested in connection with a plot to commit a violent attack on behalf of ISIS in the United States on Election Day, was not vetted for a special immigrant visa as the Biden-Harris Justice Department originally claimed."
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Thom TillisCornyn, GOP Colleagues’ Bill to Make Catch-and-Release Data Public Passes Senate
Sept. 18, 2024"U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Susan Collins (R-ME) released the following statements after their Southern Border Transparency Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accurately report how it is handling migrants encountered at the border and ensure the American people have a full accounting of the number of migrants being released into the United States by the Biden-Harris administration along with information detailing where they are coming from, passed the Senate unanimously last night:
“The Biden-Harris administration has gone to great lengths to hide the ball when it comes to levels of illegal immigration, but the American people deserve to know exactly how many migrants are being released into the country and exactly on what terms,” said Sen. Cornyn.“This is the most basic of transparency measures – just the facts, that’s all we’re looking for.”
Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Thom Tillis