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U.S. Senate

U.S. Senate, Arkansas

November 3, 2026 · 12 statements · 2026.09.23-16e0219a

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Candidates

Also on the ballot

  • Jeff Wadlin Libertarian Not researched: below our published threshold

We research every Democratic or Republican nominee, every incumbent, and anyone who raised at least $50,000 (per the FEC) or reached 5 percent in a public poll. Methodology

Statements and positions

AgreeDisagreeNo clear position Select a position to see the evidence behind it.

Federal statements

EconomyNo. 01/12

The federal minimum wage should be raised above $7.25 an hour.

Background

The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. States and cities can set higher minimums, and many do.

Tom Cotton Agree

Raising the minimum wage will allow Americans filling those jobs to better support their families.

Campaign or official site · Feb 23, 2021 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.80)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner Agree

That means raising the minimum wage, expanding workforce training, cutting taxes for working families

Campaign or official site · Sep 23, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.80)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

TaxesNo. 02/12

Federal income taxes should be raised on households earning more than $400,000 a year.

Background

This would increase the federal income tax owed by the highest-earning households. Households below that income would not be affected by this change.

Tom Cotton Disagree

Tonight, President Biden promised the nation higher taxes, crushing debt, and open borders.

Campaign or official site · Apr 28, 2021 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.65)
Review
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Hallie Shoffner Agree

While Tom Cotton cut taxes for billionaires, I will put money back where it belongs, in your pocket.

Campaign or official site · Sep 23, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

I will protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare, lift the contribution cap on the ultra wealthy, reverse the cuts

Campaign or official site · Sep 23, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Health careNo. 03/12

Federal premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans should be expanded.

Background

These subsidies lower the monthly cost of health plans bought on HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces. Expanding them would lower premiums for more buyers and increase federal spending.

Tom Cotton Disagree

Its formal title, the Affordable Care Act, belies the reality because it's not affordable for Arkansas families.

Press quote · Feb 17, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner Agree

We cannot, as a state, be put in a position where people are just one medical emergency from bankruptcy.

Press quote · Nov 11, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

ImmigrationNo. 04/12

Congress should fund more physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Background

This would pay for additional fencing or wall along the southern border. It concerns construction funding, not other kinds of border enforcement.

Tom Cotton Agree

On the Joint Resolution (H.J. Res. 46) -- Cotton (R-AR), Nay

Vote record · Mar 14, 2019 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.85)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
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Review
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Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

GunsNo. 05/12

Federal law should require background checks for all gun sales, including private sales.

Background

Federal law requires background checks for sales by licensed dealers but not for most sales between private individuals. This would extend the requirement to private sales.

Tom Cotton Disagree

Expanding federal gun regulations only makes it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to own guns.

Campaign or official site · Apr 11, 2022 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 2938 with Amendment No. 5099 -- Cotton (R-AR), Nay

Vote record · Jun 23, 2022 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
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Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

AbortionNo. 06/12

Abortion laws should be set by each state rather than by Congress.

Background

Since the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, each state sets its own abortion laws. Agreeing means Congress should not pass a national law that either expands or restricts access.

Tom Cotton Disagree

there's probably not going to be 60 votes any time soon

Interview or debate · Jul 28, 2024 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
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Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Energy and climateNo. 07/12

The federal government should expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters.

Background

This concerns leases on land and offshore areas the federal government owns. It does not cover drilling on private or state land.

Tom Cotton Agree

On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as amended): Cotton (R-AR), Yea.

Vote record · Jul 1, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

President Biden signed Executive Order 14008, which imposed a moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and offshore waters.

Campaign or official site · Mar 11, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.75)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
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Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Energy and climateNo. 08/12

The federal government should limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Background

This would set federal limits on the carbon pollution power plants release. It concerns regulation by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Tom Cotton Disagree

S.J.Res.23, disapproving EPA greenhouse gas emissions standards for new power plants: Cotton (R-AR), Yea.

Vote record · Nov 17, 2015 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Thank you, President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for ending the Biden Administration's disastrous rule on power plant emissions.

Press quote · Jun 13, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.85)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner Agree

I joined Citizens' Climate Lobby because this organization and its members support a solution as real and immediate as climate change itself, the Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act.

Press quote · Jan 1, 2020 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

EconomyNo. 09/12

The U.S. should keep broad tariffs on imported goods.

Background

Tariffs are taxes paid on imported goods. Since 2025 the U.S. has applied tariffs to imports from most countries, and this statement is about keeping them in place.

Tom Cotton Agree

President Trump has been clear that the tariffs on Mexico and on Canada are to level the playing field because they put many tariffs on our products much higher than we have ever put on there.

Interview or debate · Mar 5, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations status has enriched the Chinese Communist Party while costing the United States millions of jobs.

Campaign or official site · Jan 23, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner Disagree

Right now, we have an economic policy on the national level that is blanket tariffs, and that generally means that it's a tax on the American people... We need to use tariffs in a very strategic way.

Interview or debate · Aug 3, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.75)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Democracy and electionsNo. 10/12

Voters should have to show photo identification to vote in federal elections.

Background

Voter ID rules are set by each state today and vary widely. This would set one photo ID requirement for federal elections nationwide.

Tom Cotton Agree

Most Americans also agree that every voter should have a valid ID.

Campaign or official site · Mar 18, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.85)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
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Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Public safetyNo. 11/12

A president should be able to send the National Guard into a state over its governor's objection.

Background

Governors normally command their state's National Guard, but federal law lets a president take control of it in some situations. Since 2025, the use of that power to send troops into cities has been challenged in court.

Tom Cotton Agree

if the governor won't call on the National Guard, then the President has to federalize them

Interview or debate · Jun 15, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.70)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
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Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Foreign policyNo. 12/12

The U.S. should continue sending military aid to Ukraine.

Background

The U.S. has provided weapons and military funding to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. This would keep that support going.

Tom Cotton Agree

Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 815 (emergency supplemental appropriations including Ukraine aid): Cotton (R-AR), Yea.

Vote record · Apr 23, 2024 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

The obstacle for peace right now is Vladimir Putin in Moscow, just like Vladimir Putin is the cause of this war. Ukraine was the victim of unprovoked aggression in 2022.

Interview or debate · Jun 1, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.80)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Hallie Shoffner Agree

I am traditionally anticommunist so I support Ukraine and their right to exist and defend themselves...and We should 'support Ukraine'

Press quote · Jun 11, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.50)
Review
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