Ranking Member, SASC’s Subcommittee on Airland

Senator Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas

Responsibilities

As former chair of SASC’s Airland Subcommittee, Cotton brings direct experience to his new role as Ranking Republican of the 12-member panel responsible for Army, Air Force, National Guard and Reserve planning and operations policy and programs, not including special operations, space and cyber, and nuclear weapons in the Air Force.

Legislative Priorities/Positions

Introduced the Nord Stream 2 Sanctions Bill—part of the 2020 National Defense
Authorization Act. The legislation restricts companies helping to construct, insure,
or finance Russia’s $11 billion natural gas pipeline to Germany.
Co-sponsored the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act, a bipartisan
bill aimed at refuting China’s claims of jurisdiction over both the sea and air space
within the disputed zones of the South China Sea.
Co-sponsored the bill calling for a Congressional review of Iranian sanctions.
Cotton has sought sanctions on Iran and pre-emptive airstrikes on its nuclear
facilities.
Represents Arkansas’ three military installations including Pine Bluff Arsenal Army
Base, a chemical weapons arsenal established in 1941. It is the primary facility for production of white phosphorus for battlefield smoke screens.
Introduced the Visa Security Act along with four other GOP Senators. The bill seeks
to restrict China’s access to multi-entry visas without specific criteria being met.

Quote

“Since 2014, the Chinese Communist Party has had access to 10-year business and tourist visas, which allow Chinese citizens to enter and exit the United States as they please. In issuing these visas, the U.S. has welcomed the CCP, its intelligence agencies, and those they have co-opted with open arms. This was a bad decision in 2014 and it’s time we fixed this error.” – Newly released statement from Cotton.

Political/Military/Professional Career

Hawkish on foreign policy and known for his ultra-conservative politics, Cotton was elected to the Senate in 2015. Since then, the Junior Senator from Arkansas has chaired the Subcommittee on Airland (2015-2016) and sat on: Joint Economic Committee; Committee on Intelligence (Select); Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Committee on Armed Services, and the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, among others.
2013-2014; served in the House (4th District). After seven months in office, Cotton made a successful bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor.
2010-2011: worked for McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm.
2005-2009: Army Officer. Declined an offer to serve as a military lawyer and enlisted for combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Received the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Ranger Tab, among others.
2004-2005: attorney with D.C.-based law firms Gibson Dunn and Cooper & Kirk.
2002-2003: Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals (5th Circuit for Judge Jerry Edwin Smith).
Up for reelection in 2026.

Education

Graduated in 3 years, magna cum laude, from Harvard University (B.A. -1998).
Attended Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA (1998-1999). He left, claiming academic life “too sedentary” and enrolled at Harvard Law School. Graduated with a J.D. degree (2002). Columnist for The Harvard Crimson.

Personal

Thomas Bryant Cotton was born May 13, 1977, in Dardanelle, Ark. He grew up on his family’s cattle farm in Yell County. His father, a Vietnam veteran, was district supervisor in the Arkansas Department of Health. His mother was principal of Dardanelle Middle School.
Described as “focused” and “intense”, Cotton underwent speech therapy throughout much of elementary school to overcome a speech impediment. Credits his father for instilling him with a sense of leadership.
Married attorney Anna Peckham in 2014. The couple have two sons, Gabriel and Daniel.