Track Tom's sponsored bills, co-sponsored legislation, and voting record
The American Workforce Act establishes a Commerce Department division to oversee employer-trainee contracts that provide paid, structured on-the-job work and education, aiming to equip U.S. citizens without bachelor's degrees for skilled employment.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The American Workforce Act establishes a new federally supported program managed by the Commerce Department to create formal, on-the-job training contracts between businesses and qualified U.S. citizens without a bachelor's degree. These contracts require employers to provide paid work, structured education, and aim for specific wage outcomes, supported by government education subsidies and hiring bonuses. The Act mandates rigorous reporting on program success, compliance monitoring, and includes a sunset provision, causing the program to automatically expire after ten years unless reauthorized.
This Act establishes strict employment and post-employment restrictions for FDA personnel with ties to designated "foreign countries of concern" (China, Russia, or Iran) to enhance the security of the drug and device approval process.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The American Medicine Safety and Security Act establishes strict employment conditions for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning individuals with ties to designated foreign countries of concern (China, Russia, or Iran). This bill prohibits nationals of these countries from working at the FDA and mandates that current employees report immediate family ties to these nations or face termination. Furthermore, it imposes a 10-year ban on former FDA employees working for entities based in these countries and restricts access to sensitive drug and device data for employees with such foreign ties.
This Act mandates that federal and state prisons generally house inmates based on their biological sex at birth to prevent violence against female inmates.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Preventing Violence Against Female Inmates Act of 2025 mandates that federal and state prisons use an inmate's biological sex for housing assignments to ensure separation between sexes. This law requires the Bureau of Prisons to adhere to biological sex standards and conditions federal funding for states on their compliance with similar housing restrictions. The goal is to prevent violence by ensuring inmates are housed according to their biological sex, with limited exceptions for temporary situations.
This bill eliminates certain exemptions and mandates that H-1B visas, including those for academic workers and job changes, are strictly counted against the annual numerical cap.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Visa Cap Enforcement Act aims to tighten the rules surrounding the annual numerical limit for H-1B nonimmigrant visas. This bill mandates that H-1B visa holders be recounted against the annual cap upon reaching their third anniversary in status. Furthermore, it eliminates existing exemptions for H-1B workers employed by colleges and research institutions. The legislation ensures that every approved H-1B job change is counted toward the annual visa limit.
The OPT Fair Tax Act mandates that income earned by F-1 visa holders during Optional Practical Training (OPT) will now be subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The OPT Fair Tax Act amends tax law to specifically subject income earned by F-1 visa holders during Optional Practical Training (OPT) to Social Security and Medicare taxes. This change removes the current exemption for OPT employment, treating those earnings as standard employment for federal tax purposes.
This bill prohibits citizens of designated foreign nations from serving on the boards of specific tax-exempt organizations, threatening their tax-exempt status if this rule is violated.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Nonprofit Governance Integrity Act prohibits citizens or nationals of designated "covered nations" from serving on the boards of specific tax-exempt organizations, including charities and social welfare groups. If a covered national serves on the board, the organization risks losing its tax-exempt status. This measure aims to ensure the integrity of certain nonprofit entities by restricting foreign national influence on their governance.
This act mandates that judges must deny pretrial release for individuals currently charged with a felony if they have a prior felony conviction for a crime of violence that resulted in at least 30 days of actual prison time.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The No Bail Post-Jail Act allows judges to deny pretrial release for individuals currently charged with a felony if they have a prior felony conviction for a crime of violence that resulted in at least 30 days of actual prison time. This measure focuses on preventing the release of repeat offenders with a history of violent crime while they await trial on new felony charges.
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for fundamental research collaboration with designated "covered entities" unless a national security waiver is granted based on strict university enrollment criteria.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Protecting American Research and Talent Act prohibits the use of federal funds for fundamental research collaborations between U.S. universities and "covered entities." Federal agencies can only waive this restriction if necessary for U.S. national security, provided the university meets strict international student enrollment caps. The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing compliance and any granted waivers.
The CAP Act of 2025 eliminates the exemption for H-1B nonimmigrants employed by institutions of higher education from the annual numerical visa limitations.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The CAP Act of 2025 eliminates the special exemption that allowed institutions of higher education to hire H-1B visa holders outside of the annual numerical cap. Under this new law, H-1B workers employed by colleges and universities will now be subject to the same annual numerical limits and lottery system as all other H-1B applicants. This change standardizes the process for foreign nationals seeking employment in higher education roles.
This bill establishes criminal penalties, including fines and jail time, for camping on public property within the District of Columbia.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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This bill prohibits camping on any public property within the District of Columbia, defining "camping" as establishing a temporary living space using items like tents or sleeping bags. Violators of this new ban face criminal penalties, including fines up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both.
This Act mandates that hospitals and obstetric providers publicly disclose their specific policies regarding life-saving care for extremely premature infants, with non-compliance resulting in the loss of federal Medicaid and CHIP funding.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Neonatal Care Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that hospitals and obstetric providers publicly disclose their specific policies regarding life-saving care for extremely premature infants, including any minimum gestational age limits. This information must also be provided to expectant parents by their doctors at their first prenatal appointment. Hospitals and providers failing to comply with these new transparency requirements risk losing federal Medicaid and CHIP funding 180 days after the Act is enacted.
The LEAD Act of 2025 mandates that specific advanced, reusable unmanned aircraft systems be treated as manned aircraft for U.S. arms export control purposes, separating them from missile technology regulations.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The LEAD Act of 2025 revises U.S. arms export controls for specific advanced, reusable unmanned aircraft systems. This legislation mandates that these covered drones be treated identically to manned aircraft systems under export regulations, including those related to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The goal is to separate the export review of these sophisticated drones from that of missile technology. The President is required to update relevant regulations within 180 days to reflect this new treatment.
The HEALING Mothers and Fathers Act amends the FMLA to allow leave for spontaneous loss of an unborn child and establishes a refundable tax credit for individuals who suffer a stillbirth.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The HEALING Mothers and Fathers Act amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to allow eligible employees to take leave following the spontaneous loss of an unborn child. It also establishes new leave entitlements for federal civil service employees experiencing such a loss. Furthermore, the Act creates a new refundable personal tax credit, equivalent to the Child Tax Credit amount, for individuals who suffer a stillbirth.
This Act mandates a study and the establishment of limits for toxic heavy metals in infant formula to ensure product safety.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Safe Baby Formula Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive study on the health effects of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in infant formula. Following the study, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must establish clear limits for these toxic heavy metals within 90 days. This legislation aims to ensure the safety of the nation's baby formula supply.
This bill authorizes funding for U.S. intelligence activities for Fiscal Year 2026 while enacting sweeping reforms across security protocols, agency structures, foreign threat countermeasures, and whistleblower protections.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 establishes funding for federal intelligence activities and mandates significant structural reforms across the Intelligence Community (IC). Key provisions include tightening security protocols, streamlining agency leadership structures, and increasing oversight on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and biotechnology. The bill also enhances whistleblower protections and demands greater transparency regarding foreign threats, particularly from China and Russia, and the origins of COVID-19.
This Act clarifies that automatic citizenship at birth does not apply to children born in the U.S. to parents who are unlawfully present, present for diplomatic purposes, or engaged in hostile operations.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act of 2025 seeks to amend federal law regarding birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. It codifies existing exceptions, stating that automatic citizenship does not apply to children born in the U.S. to parents who are unlawfully present, present solely for diplomatic purposes, or engaged in hostile operations. This legislation aims to clarify that U.S. citizenship at birth is contingent upon allegiance, not solely physical location.
This bill exempts the Department of Defense from key environmental protection laws for activities certified as necessary to counter threats from China.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Necessary Environmental Exemptions for Defense Act exempts the Department of Defense (DOD) from key environmental laws, including NEPA and the Endangered Species Act, for activities specifically certified as necessary to counter threats from China. This exemption applies retroactively and prevents judicial review of the DOD's designation or related actions. While exempt from mandated reviews, the Secretary of Defense must periodically review and update internal policies on environmental mitigation.
This resolution honors the Yell County Wildlife Federation for its long history and significant contributions to conservation efforts in Arkansas.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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This resolution formally honors the Yell County Wildlife Federation for its long history of dedicated conservation work in Arkansas since 1946. It recognizes the group's significant contributions, including supporting student scholarships and leading vital habitat improvement projects. The bill serves as a commendation from Congress recognizing the Federation's service to the community and the state.
This Act significantly restructures the Intelligence Community by reforming the DNI's office, transferring key centers to the FBI and CIA, eliminating several offices, and restricting the use of intelligence funds for certain DEI programs and entities.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Intelligence Community Efficiency and Effectiveness Act of 2025 enacts sweeping reforms across the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). This legislation modifies the authorities of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), restructures key centers by transferring the National Counterintelligence and Security Center to the FBI, and renames the National Counterterrorism Center. Furthermore, the bill terminates the National Intelligence University, eliminates several offices and programs, restricts the use of National Intelligence Program funds for certain entities, and bans specific Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices within the IC.
This bill eases the tax burden on Intelligence Community employees by expanding moving expense deductions and excluding related reimbursements from taxable income following required relocations.
Tom Cotton
Senator
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Tom Cotton
Senator
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The Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act of 2025 aims to support intelligence community personnel by simplifying the tax treatment of required relocations. This bill allows intelligence community employees and appointees to utilize specific moving expense deductions when changing duty stations. Furthermore, it ensures that reimbursements for qualified moving expenses related to these official relocations are excluded from taxable income.