2022: Cotton: “Roe Was Egregiously Wrong From The Beginning.” According to a tweet from Cotton’s official account, “In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life.” [Twitter, @SenTomCotton, 5/2/22]
2020: Cotton Said “It’s Time For Roe v. Wade To Go.” According to a tweet from Cotton’s campaign Twitter, “It's time for Roe v. Wade to go.” [Twitter, @TomCottonAR, 9/9/20]
2019: Cotton Said Roe Was “Wrongly Decided As A Constitutional Matter.” According to Newsweek, “Existing abortion precedents, like 1973’s Roe v. Wade decision were, in Cotton’s eyes, ‘wrongly decided as a constitutional matter,’ and argued that instead, these decision are ones that the ‘American people ought to make through their elected representatives.’” [Newsweek, 5/19/19]
Cotton Believed That Roe v. Wade And Planned Parenthood v. Casey Were “Wrongly Decided.” According to Cotton’s campaign website, “I believe Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey were wrongly decided. I oppose taxpayer funding of abortion and I will work to repeal ObamaCare and to fully reinstate the Hyde Amendment, which ensures that our tax dollars don’t pay for abortion.” [Cotton For Congress, Accessed via Way Back Machine, 9/14/11]
Cotton Supported Anti-Abortion Legislation During His First Run For Congress. According to Cotton’s campaign website, “I also support measures like the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act. I oppose the destruction of human embryos to conduct stem-cell research and all forms of human cloning. Finally, I oppose efforts to ration or deny access to health care based on so-called “expert” assessments of one’s quality of life, as ObamaCare would do.” [Cotton For Congress, Accessed via Way Back Machine, 9/14/11]
Cotton Joined Over 200 Republican Lawmakers In Filing The Amicus Brief Urging The Supreme Court To Uphold Mississippi’s Abortion Law And Overturn Roe v. Wade. According to CNN, “Nearly 230 Republican members of Congress told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it should overturn Roe v. Wade and release its ‘vise grip on abortion politics.’ The new brief is the latest filing in a dispute that will be heard next term and represents the most significant abortion-related case the justices have taken up in nearly a half a century. The 6-3 conservative court, bolstered by three of former President Donald Trump's appointees, could gut, or invalidate court precedent, and that's what the GOP lawmakers are calling for. ‘Congress and the States have shown that they are ready and able to address the issue in ways that reflect Americans' varying viewpoints and are grounded in the science of fetal development and maternal health,’ lawyers for 228 Republican lawmakers, including leadership in both chambers, told the justices. At issue before the court is a Mississippi law that bars most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. There is no exception for rape or incest. The court will render its decision by next June, in the lead up to the mid-term elections.” [CNN, 7/29/21]
2012: Cotton Said He Wanted To Have A Supreme Court Willing To Overturn Roe v. Wade. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “All of the candidates said they oppose abortion. Rankin said she only thinks abortion should be allowed in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. She said she would support a constitutional amendment to ban abortion. 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]
2021: Cotton Said The Supreme Court’s Decision To Let Texas’ Abortion Ban Stand Would Save “Countless Innocent Lives.” According to a tweet from Cotton’s official account, “The Supreme Court just let Texas’s pro-life law go into effect, saving countless innocent lives.” [Twitter, 9/2/21]
Cotton Said He Would Support A Constitutional Amendment Banning Abortion. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “All of the candidates said they oppose abortion. Rankin said she only thinks abortion should be allowed in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger. She said she would support a constitutional amendment to ban abortion. 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]
2021: Cotton Co-Sponsored Legislation That Would Ban Federal Funds To Universities That Host Or Were Affiliated With Services Who Provide Abortion Drugs Or Abortions. According to Congress.gov Cotton co-sponsored the “Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2021, which would prohibit “Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2021 “the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.” [Congress.gov, S.2408, 7/21/21]
2021: Cotton Co-Sponsored Parental-Notification Legislation, Which Would Require A Parental Notification And A 96-Hour Waiting Period, Failure To Comply Included Penalties Of One Year In Prison. According to Congress.gov, Cotton co-sponsored the “Parental Notification and Intervention Act,” which would restrict the performance of an abortion on an unemancipated minor under 18 years of age. Specifically, it prohibits a person or organization from performing, facilitating, or assisting with an abortion on an unemancipated minor without first complying with certain requirements, including parental notification and a 96-hour waiting period. It establishes penalties—a fine, up to one year in prison, or both—for each willful violation. A parent who is required to be notified of an abortion of an unemancipated minor may sue in federal court to prohibit the abortion. Parental notification requirements may be waived in a medical emergency or in a case of physical abuse.” [Congress.gov, S. 294, 2/8/21]
2021: Cotton Joined Senators In A Letter To Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, To Vote Against Any Legislation Which Would Eliminate Or Weaken The Hyde Amendment. According to a letter released by Sen. Marco Rubio and signed by Cotton “We are united in our resolve to guard against any changes to Federal law that would unsettle nearly half a century of bipartisan consensus against taxpayer funding for abortion on demand, or otherwise threaten the lives of unborn children. Accordingly, we are committed to vote against the advancement of any legislation that would eliminate or weaken the Hyde Amendment or any other current-law pro-life protections, or otherwise undermine existing Federal pro-life policy.” [Sen. Marco Rubio, 2/5/21]
2021: Cotton Filed An Amicus Brief Urging The Supreme Court To Uphold Arkansas Abortion Law Which Would Prohibit Abortions On Children Diagnosed With Doown Syndrome. According to Cotton’s official press release, “Today, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA) filed an amicus brief in Little Rock Planning Services v. Rutledge urging the court to uphold Arkansas’s law to protect unborn babies with Down syndrome. […] ‘Our society has an obligation to protect the most vulnerable, including unborn babies with disabilities. Arkansas' law seeks to protect babies with Down syndrome from modern-day eugenicists who want to end their lives, simply because of their disability. We stand with Arkansas and the unborn, and we will fight to uphold this law at the Supreme Court,’ said Cotton.” [Sen. Tom Cotton Press Release, 5/13/21]
2019: Cotton Introduced The Down Syndrome Discrimination By Abortion Prohibition Act, Which Would Prohibit Abortions On Fetuses Diagnosed With Down Syndrome. According to Cotton’s official press release, “Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) and 12 colleagues in introducing the Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act, which would prohibit abortion of unborn babies who have been diagnosed with Down syndrome. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. […] ‘Babies with disabilities deserve our love and protection. But sadly, many of these babies don't even get a chance at life. Protecting unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome moves us closer to a society that respects life in all forms and all stages,’ Cotton said.” [Sen. Tom Cotton Press Release, 10/30/19]
2019: Cotton Introduced Legislation Which Would Require States To Report Abortion Information To The CDC, Including So Called “Born-Alive” Abortions. According to Cotton’s official press release, “Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) last week introduced legislation that would require states to report information about abortion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including cases where infants are born alive during abortions. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), and Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) are co-sponsors of the legislation. Congressmen Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina) and Gary Palmer (R-Alabama) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. ‘The American people deserve to know how many babies are born alive during abortion attempts in our country. This is life or death information, yet most states don't collect it. Our bill would require states to report accurate and complete data about abortion, including instances where babies are born alive during abortions,’ said Cotton.” [Sen. Tom Cotton Press Release, 10/3/19]
2019: Cotton Sponsored The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. According to Cotton’s official Twitter, “Proud to be sponsoring @SenSasse’s bill the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Senate should pass this bill unanimously and send to the President to sign.” [Twitter, @SenTomCotton, 1/31/19]
2019: Cotton Supported The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, Which Would Ban Abortion After 20 Weeks Of Pregnancy. According to Cotton’s official press release, “Arkansas Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman this week joined their colleagues in reintroducing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The legislation would provide common-sense protections for unborn children at 20 weeks after fertilization, a point at which there is significant scientific evidence that abortion inflicts tremendous pain on the unborn. ‘Medical science increasingly confirms the common experience of parents and the religious and ethical belief of the ages: an unborn baby is just as much a person as each of us-only more innocent, more helpless, and therefore even more deserving of protection. As we celebrate Arkansas's 42nd annual March for Life this weekend, this legislation is particularly appropriate. I look forward to working with my colleagues to promote a culture of life and bring this legislation to the floor for a vote,’ said Cotton.” [Sen. Tom Cotton Press Release, 1/18/19]
2015: Cotton Cosponsored The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. [Congress.gov, S. 1553, 3/15/16]
2013: Cotton Voted For Banning Abortion After 20 Weeks. In June 2013, Cotton voted for a bill banning most abortion across the country twenty weeks after conception. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Passage of the bill that would create a nationwide ban on abortions performed at 20 weeks or later, except in cases where the life of the woman is in danger. It would provide exceptions to the ban in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest against a minor, if it has been reported to law enforcement or a government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. It also would impose criminal penalties on physicians who violate the ban and subject violators to a maximum five-year jail sentence, fines or both.” The House approved the bill by a vote of 228 to 196. As of November 2013, the Senate had taken any substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 251, 6/18/13; Congressional Quarterly, 6/18/13; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1797]
2014: Cotton Co-Sponsored Life At Conception Act, Which Provides Constitutional Protection To Every “Preborn Human Person” And Says That Person Exists From The “Moment Of Fertilization.” According to the Washington Post, “A number of GOP Senate candidates, many of whom are still in primary races, are on record supporting measures that declare, in some form, that full human rights begin at the moment of fertilization. […] Gardner co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, which provides for constitutional protection of the right to life of each ‘preborn human person,’ defined as existing from the ‘moment of fertilization.’ Co-sponsors of the act include Rep. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rep. Steve Daines of Montana, both of whom are expected to become their state’s GOP Senate nominee.” [Washington Post, 4/17/14]
2014: Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill To Declare Life Begins At Moment Of Fertilization. According to Stephens, “Senate Republican candidate Tom Cotton on Tuesday injected faith into his campaign to unseat Mark Pryor, questioning the depth of the Democrat’s belief in the sanctity of life. […] Cotton and Pryor do disagree on so-called ‘personhood’ legislation. Cotton has co-sponsored a bill to declare that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution begins at the moment of fertilization. Pryor does not support it, according to Dorey. ‘Unlike Congressman Cotton, Mark does not support outlawing common forms of birth control, including the pill and Plan B, which are used by women across the state of Arkansas,’ Dorey said.” [Stephens, 7/3/14]
2013: Cotton Cosponsored The “Life At Conception Act”, Which Would Guarantee Constitutional Rights To A Human At The “Moment Of Fertilization.” According to Congress.gov, “Life at Conception Act - Declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being beginning at the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual comes into being. Prohibits construing this Act to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.” [Congress.gov, H.R. 1091, 3/12/13]
2019: Cotton Said That “Life Begins At Conception.” According to Newsweek, “Cotton repeatedly lamented "unelected judges in Washington" for allowing abortion procedures to continue across the states. Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton said he believes a fetus has constitutional rights and that life begins at conception. ‘I personally believe that life begins at conception, as long as we have unelected judges making the basic rules for abortion though we should try to find ways in which we can protect the most innocent lives that can survive,’ he said. Cotton continued: ‘I personally believe that life does begin at conception, that's the standard that most Republicans who have held the presidency in modern times have held as well. Now, we understand there are certain tragic cases like rape or incest or where a mother's life is in danger that we ought to make an account for — that was the position that Ronald Reagan has as well.’” [Newsweek, 5/19/19]
Gail Collins: Cotton Was A Supporter Of Personhood, Which Could Outlaw In-Vitro Fertilization And Some Forms Of Contraception. According to a column by Gail Collins in the New York Times, “Personhood is an anti-abortion movement that holds that life begins at conception, giving fertilized eggs all the rights of a human being. It might make it impossible to kidnap them for in-vitro fertilization. It could outlaw some forms of contraception. […] A number of Republican candidates in key Senate races are personhood supporters, including Joni Ernst in Iowa; Thom Tillis, who’s running against Senator Kay Hagan in North Carolina; Tom Cotton, who’s challenging Mark Pryor in Arkansas; and, until about five minutes ago, Cory Gardner in Colorado.” [Column – New York Times, 6/27/14]
David Ramsey: Cotton’s Personhood Stance “Might Be Seen As Too Extreme—And Outright Ban On Both All Abortion And Some Forms of Contraception.” According to a column by David Ramsey in the Arkansas Times, “U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, you may remember, was a co-sponsor of the ‘Life at Conception Act,’ a so-called personhood measure which would give full constitutional rights to each ‘preborn human person’ at the ‘moment of fertilization. In addition to being a frontal assault on Roe v. Wade, the bill (likely unconstitutional) could ban certain forms of birth control such as IUDs or the morning-after pill. (It could also potentially force women into dangerous pregnancies and to deliver babies that can’t survive outside the womb, or force families in situations like this to keep a braindead woman on life support). [… ] Even in Arkansas, Cotton’s position here might be seen as too extreme — an outright ban on both all abortion and some forms of contraception.” [Column – Arkansas Times, 4/16/14]
John Brummett: Cotton Anti-Birth Control Position Is Loser Among Women. According to a column by John Brummett in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “And this subject could hardly be addressed without mentioning a woman's right to choose an abortion, a subject on which Pryor can be iffy but on which Cotton is not iffy at all, but extreme. 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. A pro-choice position in Arkansas is a loser. An anti-birth-control position is not, especially among ... you guessed it-women. So look around the dinner table this evening and take your own poll of this race. Count the women and men, I mean.” [Column – Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/20/14]
Max Brantley Opinion: Cotton’s Record Shows He Was Against Birth Control Pills In Some Cases. In an Arkansas Times blog Max Brantley wrote, “A day — heck an hour, it seems like — doesn't pass without a direct e-mail from Extremist U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton or one of his social media enablers touting Cotton's animus toward women. He doesn't say he’s against women, of course. He says he’s ‘pro-life.’ He is against abortion, in other words. And he's also, as an examination of his record shows, even against birth control pills in some cases.” [Max Brantley Opinion, Arkansas Times, 1/22/14]
2013: Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill Criminalizing Sex-Selective Abortion. On February 1st, 2013, Cotton co-sponsored H.R. 447. According to Congressional Research Service, the bill would “impose criminal penalties on anyone who knowingly or knowingly attempts to: (1) perform an abortion knowing that the abortion is sought based on the sex, gender, color or race of the child, or the race of a parent; (2) use force or the threat of force to intentionally injure or intimidate any person for the purpose of coercing a sex-selection or race-selection abortion; (3) solicit or accept funds for the performance of such an abortion; or (4) transport a woman into the United States or across a state line for the purpose of obtaining such an abortion.” The bill was introduced on February 1st, 2013, and no further substantive action was taken. [H.R. 447, 2/1/13]
2013: Cotton Co-Sponsored Legislation Requiring That Health Care Plans On Affordable Care Act Exchanges Disclose Abortion Coverage And Abortion Surcharges. On October 9th, 2013, Cotton co-sponsored HR 3279. According to a press release by Rep. Diane Black (R-TN), “With the exchanges of the ‘Affordable Care Act’ (AKA ‘Obamacare’) activated this month, it has become evident that it is nearly impossible for individuals to try to determine which exchange plans on their state or federal exchange, if any, exclude abortion. U.S. Reps. Diane Black (TN-06) and Chris Smith (NJ-04) unveiled their legislation, H.R. 3279, the ‘Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act’ —cosponsored by 70 other Members of the House—to ensure full disclosure of abortion coverage, requiring prominent and transparent disclosure of abortion coverage for each plan offered on an exchange. This is crucial information for millions of Americans since the many plans that include elective abortion are required by law to impose a monthly mandatory abortion surcharge. Many Americans object to paying a surcharge into a fund to be used solely for the purpose of aborting unborn babies.” As of December 9th, 2013, the bill was referred to the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and no further action was taken. [HR 3279, 10/9/13; Diane Black Press Release, 10/10/13]
2013: Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill That Would Declare That Nothing In The Affordable Care Act Would Require An Individual To Purchase Individual Insurance Coverage That Includes Abortion Coverage Or Coverage Of Another Service To Which The Person Objects On Religious Grounds. On May 6th, 2013, Cotton co-sponsored H.R. 940. According to Congressional Research Service, the bill would “amend[]title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to declare that nothing in such title shall require an individual to purchase individual health insurance coverage that includes coverage of an abortion or other item or service to which the individual has a moral or religious objection, or prevent an issuer from offering or issuing, to that individual, individual coverage excluding such item or service.” The bill was introduced on March 4th, 2013, and no further substantive action was taken. [H.R. 940, 3/4/13]
Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill That Would Prohibit The Expenditure Of Federal Funds For Any Abortion, Including Funds From Being Used For Health Benefits Coverage That Includes Abortion Coverage. On September 30th, 2013, Cotton co-sponsored HR 7, a bill that, according to the Congressional Research Service, would “prohibit the expenditure of funds authorized or appropriated by federal law or funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by federal law for any abortion. [Would] Prohibit[] federal funds from being used for any health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion.” The bill was reported to the Judiciary Committee on January 23, 2014, and no subsequent action was taken. [HR 7, 1/24/14]
Cotton Co-Sponsored The Republican Study Committee Health Care Plan. According to the National Review, “Either way, the notion that Republicans have no plan to replace Obamacare is news to Representative Tom Price (R., Ga.), who in June introduced a comprehensive alternative health-care plan — for the third time since 2009. It was originally introduced as the Obamacare alternative from the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), which Price chaired at the time. The 250-page legislation, known as the Empowering Patients First Act, has yet to receive a vote in the House, but currently has 32 co-sponsors, including Representatives Michele Bachmann (R., Minn.), Tim Huelskamp (R., Kans.), Jeb Hensarling (R., Texas), and Tom Cotton (R., Ark.).” [National Review, 8/16/13]
Cotton Co-Sponsored The Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, Which Would Eliminate Public Funding For Any Family-Planning Organization That Performs Abortions. On January 14, 2013, Cotton became a co-sponsor of H.R. 61, the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act. According to the Congressional Research Service, the bill “Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Service (HHS) from providing any federal family planning assistance to an entity unless the entity certifies that, during the period of such assistance, the entity will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion. Excludes an abortion where: (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest; or (2) a physician certifies that the woman suffered from a physical disorder, injury, or illness that would place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy. Excludes hospitals from such requirement so long as the hospital does not provide funds to any non-hospital entity that performs an abortion.” On January 3, 2013, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. [H.R. 61, 1/3/13]
2014: Cotton Voted To Bar Someone From Using Their Health Savings Account Funds To Pay For An Abortion, Except In The Case Of Rape, Incest Or A Threat To The Mother’s Life. In April 2014, Cotton voted for the Republican Study Committee’s proposed budget resolution for fiscal years 2015 to 2024. According to the Republican Study Committee, their budget would “[i]mplement real patient-centered health care reform that would lower costs and improve access with the RSC's American Health Care Reform Act.” According to the RSC’s section-by-section description of the AHCRA, section 251 of the bill “[p]rohibits HSA funds from being used to pay for abortions, except in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is threatened.” The House considered the RSC budget as a substitute amendment to House Republicans’ FY 2015 budget resolution; the amendment was rejected by a vote of 133 to 291. [House Vote 175, 4/10/14; Republican Study Committee, 4/7/14; Republican Study Committee, 9/17/13]
2016: Cotton Accused The Supreme Court Of “Caving To The Demands Of Abortion Extremists,” After Supreme Court Ruled In Favor Of Whole Woman’s Health. According to Scott’s official press release, “‘By caving to the demands of abortion extremists who seek to normalize the ending of an innocent human life in the womb regardless of the dangers, the Supreme Court has left almost no room for common sense and simple decency in our nation's approach to abortion. I deeply believe that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and that it should be-and will be-overturned someday. But before that time, we all should have been able to agree that duly elected representatives of the people can pass laws to protect women from unsafe abortion providers. That's now impossible after this decision, and it will be to the detriment of the well-being of women across the nation.’” [Sen. Tom Cotton Press Release, 6/27/16]
Cotton Co-Sponsored A Bill That Would Allow A Religious Exemption From Affordable Care Act Requirements For Those With Religious Beliefs That Would Cause Them To Object To Medical Health Care Provided Under Insurance Coverage. On July 9th, 2013, Cotton co-sponsored H.R. 1814. According to Congressional Research Service, the bill would “amend[]the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to minimum essential health care coverage requirements added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to allow an additional religious exemption from such requirements for individuals whose sincerely held religious beliefs would cause them to object to medical health care provided under such coverage.” The bill was introduced on April 26th, 2013, and no additional substantive action was taken. [H.R. 1814, 4/26/13]
Cotton Praised Hobby Lobby President Steve Green And Family For “Living Their Faith” By Challenging Obamacare. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “About 500 people turned out Friday to hear Hobby Lobby President Steve Green speak at the mayor’s annual prayer breakfast, but candidates for top Arkansas offices turned out to see the crowd. Showing up at the 43rd annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at the Fort Smith Holiday Inn were gubernatorial candidates Democrat Mike Ross and Republican Asa Hutchinson; Republican senatorial candidate 4th District U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton; Republican attorney general candidate Leslie Rutledge of Little Rock; and Republican lieutenant governor candidate 2nd District U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin. […] Green didn’t mention the ruling during his 30-minute speech. Others, such as Cotton, praised the Green family for living their faith and standing up for their religious convictions in challenging the Obama administration in court.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/19/14]
Cotton’s Spokesperson Said That Senate Attempt To Restore Contraceptive Coverage Was Evidence That Pryor Would Support Obamacare “Even If It Means Trampling The Religious Freedoms Of Christians Who Have Deeply Held Religious Beliefs.” According to Stephens, “Senate Democrats were unable to advance legislation Wednesday that would have restored contraceptive coverage for women even if their employers had religious objections. […] The Hobby Lobby decision has become a major talking point in the Arkansas Senate race with Pryor and Republican challenger Rep. Tom Cotton staking out opposing views — and the vote Wednesday reignited the issue. ‘Today’s vote reminds us that Republican Senate candidates across the country support radical measures that would block birth control and roll back women’s health care rights even further than the Hobby Lobby decision did,’ said Justin Barasky, a spokesman at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. David Ray, a spokesman for Cotton’s campaign, said the vote demonstrates that Pryor will support Obamacare at any cost ‘even if it means trampling the religious freedoms of Christians who have deeply held religious beliefs.’ ‘When it came time to choose between what Arkansans wanted him to do and what President Obama wanted him to do, Senator Pryor sided with Obama,’ he said.” [Stephens, 7/16/14]
Cotton Was One Of The First Politicians To Respond To Hobby Lobby Ruling. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Mr. Pryor’s Republican opponent, Rep. Tom Cotton, was one of the first politicians to respond to the ruling. ‘Senator Mark Pryor should be ashamed that he voted for Obamacare, which undermines and restricts religious liberty,’ he said. Mr. Pryor—who has aired a television ad holding a Bible and affirming his belief in God—sought to deflect the religious-liberty issue and instead stressed Mr. Cotton’s intent to repeal the health-care law. ‘As a person of faith, I understand the deeply held religious views of those who brought this suit forward,’ he said in a written statement. ‘Unlike Congressman Cotton, I believe that every adult and child should have access to quality, affordable care, and that health care decisions should be made by families and doctors, not insurance industry bureaucrats.’” [Wall Street Journal, 6/30/14]
Cotton Called Hobby Lobby Ruling “A Win For Religious Liberty” And “Obamacare Unconstitutionally Forces Some People Of Faith To Violate The Precepts Of Their Faith.” According to a press release by Tom Cotton, “U.S. Senate candidate Tom Cotton released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. ‘This ruling is a win for religious liberty. Obamacare unconstitutionally forces some people of faith to violate the precepts of their faith. President Obama has fought the ability of overtly religious institutions like church charities and broadcasters to exercise their deeply held religious convictions. President Obama may believe that a person’s faith should be hidden under a bushel, but I believe it is inseparable from his or her identity. We cannot have equality in America if we are not all equally allowed to exercise and act on our religious convictions.’ ‘Senator Mark Pryor should be ashamed that he voted for Obamacare, which undermines and restricts religious liberty. Senator Pryor wasn’t working for Arkansas when he voted for this unconstitutional law; he was working for President Obama.’” [Press Release – Tom Cotton, 6/30/14]
Cotton Fundraising Email Praised Hobby Lobby Decision, Said Highlighted Importance Of Republican Senate Because Pryor “Rubber-Stamped Justices Elena Kagan And Sonia Sotomayor. One More Justice, And We’ll Be In Big Trouble. Do You Really Want Another Ruth Bader Ginsburg? Of Course Not!” According to an email from Tom Cotton for U.S. Senate, “Today the Supreme Court handed down the Hobby Lobby decision, declaring that the government cannot infringe on our religious freedom. The case was won by a narrow 5-4 decision. Those Justices were approved by the U.S. Senate, so now more than ever you see how important it is that we take back the Senate. Senator Pryor rubber-stamped Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. One more Justice, and we’ll be in big trouble. Do you really want another Ruth Bader Ginsburg? Of course not! The fundraising deadline is at midnight, so you still have a few hours to chip in $10 to help us take back the Senate from Harry Reid and Barack Obama - but please act as quickly as possible!” [Email – Tom Cotton for U.S. Senate, 7/1/14]
2022: Cotton Called Bill To Codify Roe v. Wade “Grotesque.” According to Cotton’s official Twitter, “This week, Senate Democrats are pushing a radical bill that would legalize abortion nationwide, for any reason, at any point until birth. Their bill is so grotesque it can't even pass the Democrat-controlled Senate. The vast majority of Americans reject it, as well.” [Twitter, @SenTomCotton, 5/10/22]
2021: Cotton Attacked House Democrats For Voting For The Women’s Health Protection Act. According to the National Review, “On Wednesday, at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Supreme Court’s ‘shadow docket,’ Arkansas GOP senator Tom Cotton blasted House Democrats for voting almost unanimously on September 24 in favor of a bill that would enshrine in federal law a right to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy: ‘Maybe this entire hearing is to distract from the radical law that just passed the House of Representatives last week—the most extreme pro-abortion measure to ever pass the Congress. Now, the Democrats over there, all but one of them whom voted for it, argue that this bill merely codifies Roe v. Wade. Oh, if only that were so, Roe v. Wade though wrongly decided at least acknowledged, at least acknowledged, our people’s legitimate abiding interest to protect innocent life, before a child is born. The law that passed in the House of Representatives, though, last week allows abortion to occur up until the very moment of birth—40 weeks or even beyond, displaying a grotesque indifference to the most vulnerable kinds of human life. I remember when my son was in the NICU, it was adorned with photos on the wall matching on the one hand a small child that had been born at 30 weeks or 28 weeks or even 23 weeks, sometime so small it was held in the palm of a doctor. To the picture of that child at age 5 or 7 or 11, riding a bike, performing in a ballet, running through a field of flowers, all of whom would have been subject to the most grotesque and abusive kinds of abortions under the bill the House of Representatives just passed.’” [National Review, 9/29/21]
2019: Cotton Gave A Speech On The Senate Floor Criticizing Companies For “Attacking Pro-Life Americans.” According to Cotton’s official press release, “The loudest objections to these pro-life laws haven't come from the ‘bottom up’-from normal citizens who happen to disagree with one another-but from the ‘top down’: from cultural elites, and increasingly from giant corporations who wield their economic power as a weapon to punish the American people for daring to challenge their pro-abortion extremism. Giant media companies like Disney, Netflix, and Warner Media have threatened to cripple Georgia's film industry if its residents don't bend the knee and betray their pro-life convictions. And just last Monday, the New York Times ran a full-page advertisement organized by the pro-abortion lobby and signed by the CEOs of hundreds of companies saying that legal protections for unborn babies are 'bad for business.' How disgusting is that? Caring for a little baby is ‘bad for business.’ Now, I get why outfits like Planned Parenthood or NARAL would say babies are ‘bad for business.’ Abortion is their business, after all, and they're just protecting their market share. But what about those other CEOs? Why do they think babies are ‘bad for business?’” [Sen. Tom Cotton Press Release, 6/19/19]
Cotton Attacked &Pizza’s CEO For Signing Ads Supporting Abortion Rights When Not Offering Paid Maternity Leave To Their Employees. According to Cotton’s official press release, “Perhaps because they want their workers to focus single-mindedly on working-not building a family and raising children. All these politically correct CEOs want company men and women, not family men and women. They'll support your individuality and self-expression just so long as you stay unattached and on the clock. You couldn't find a more perfect example of this than &Pizza, one of the companies whose CEO signed the pro-abortion ad. &Pizza doesn't even offer paid maternity leave to all its employees-but it does celebrate their ‘oneness’ and ‘individuality.’ It'll even pay employees to get a tattoo of the company logo. So if you want to be a walking billboard for your employer, &Pizza will foot the bill. But if you're pregnant with a child, tough luck. In the spirit of some of these CEOs, I might call for a boycott of &Pizza and its political correctness. But you could just skip them because their pizza is lousy, anyway.” [Sen. Tom Cotton Press Release, 6/19/19]
2021: Cotton Sent A Letter To SBA Administrator Demanding The SBA To Stop Awarding PPP Loans To Planned Parenthood. According to Cotton’s official press release, “Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter urging U.S. Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza to prevent Planned Parenthood affiliates from receiving illegal loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as they did last year.” [Sen. Tom Cotton Press Release, 1/14/21]
2017: Cotton Voted To Overturn Federal Regulations Which Protected Planned Parenthood From Funding Cuts. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “With Vice President Mike Pence casting the deciding vote, the U.S. Senate voted to overturn a recent federal regulation that has shielded Planned Parenthood from funding cuts. The measure is now headed to the White House. U.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton, both Arkansas Republicans, supported scrapping the rule, which seeks to keep family-planning dollars flowing to organizations that also perform abortions. […] In a written statement after Thursday's vote, Cotton said the legislation deserved to pass. ‘States should be free to decide which organizations receive federal funding for family planning services. And they shouldn't be required to [give] taxpayer money to groups like Planned Parenthood that perform abortions. I'm pleased we were able to take another chunk out of the Obama administration's overzealous regulatory agenda,’ he said.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/31/17]
2015: After Discredited And Misleading Video Surfaced Of Planned Parenthood Employees, Cotton Called For U.S. Attorney General To Conduct An Investigation Into Planned Parenthood To Determine Whether The Organization Violated Federal Laws. According to THV 11, “U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton requested an investigation into Planned Parenthood following the release of videos showing senior executives discussing in horrific detail the organization's role in harvesting organs of unborn babies. […] Boozman and Cotton also called on U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to conduct a full investigation into whether Planned Parenthood violated federal law. In a letter sent yesterday, Boozman, Cotton and their colleagues joined Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) urging the Attorney General and DHHS Secretary to investigate whether Planned Parenthood violated sections 498A and 498B of the Public Health Service Act. Section 498A requires doctors to certify that they did not alter the method or timing of an abortion for the purpose of obtaining human fetal tissue when that tissue is used in research conducted or supported by the National Institute of Health. Section 498B prohibits the sale of human fetal issue. ‘The disturbing facts revealed in this video raise the question of whether the employees of a federally funded organization have violated federal law by engaging in the transfer of human fetal tissue for profit, and whether the modification of abortion techniques for the purpose of obtaining that tissue violates applicable research guidelines established by federal law,’ the senators wrote.” [THV 11, 7/22/15]
Cotton Called To Put An End To Federal Funding For Planned Parenthood. According to THV 11, “‘Words are limiting to try to express the moral shock we feel when confronted by behavior so abhorrent as selling dead baby body parts for profit. But where words fall short I'm hopeful that we can be united in action: we must put an end to the federal funding of Planned Parenthood. Arkansans' tax dollars should not be supporting an organization that condones the activity we've seen in the videos released this week. This should be one issue that transcends partisan politics or ideology. To truly honor the God-given rights to life and liberty enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by our Constitution, we should strive to guarantee those rights to the ones least able to defend themselves—the unborn,’ Cotton said.” [THV 11, 7/22/15]
Cotton Said “From The Rights Of The Unborn To Live, To The Rights Of Our Senior Adults Making End-Of -Life Decisions, And Finally, To Every Arkansan’s Right To Keep And Bear Arms, I Want To Preserve These Rights Now, Forever And Always.” According to the Texarkana Gazette, “He said he firmly favors defending the rights of the unborn and would support pro-life legislation. ‘From the rights of the unborn to live, to the rights of our senior adults making end-of -life decisions, and finally, to every Arkansan’s right to keep and bear arms, I want to preserve these rights now, forever and always,’ he said.” [Texarkana Gazette, 8/20/14]
Cotton Said He Was Pro-Life From Childhood. According to National Review, “He has always been pro-life. Why? When he was growing up, everyone was pro-life, he says. ‘This is a matter of religious faith, for so many people.’ As he got older, he thought about the issue more, and one thing he concluded was, ‘It's not healthy for a society to treat its most vulnerable in the worst fashion.’” [National Review, 11/12/12]
Cotton: “I Am Pro-Life And I Will Always Vote That Way In Congress.” According to his personal Facebook account, Cotton wrote, “I am pro-life and I will always vote that way in Congress.” [Facebook, Tom Cotton, 8/9/12]
Cotton Called To Re-Establish A “Pro-Life Culture” In America. According to Cotton’s campaign website, “We must re-establish a culture of life in America that reflects the value of every life from conception through birth, life, and death. I am pro-life and I will always vote that way in Congress.” [Cotton For Congress, Accessed via Way Back Machine, 9/14/11]