Tom Cotton

Author(s):

The Encyclopedia of Conservatism

Editor(s):

The Editors of The Encyclopedia of Conservatism

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Introduction

Thomas Bryant Cotton (born on May 13^th, 1977) in Dardanelle, Arkansas, is an American Republican with a military background. He has served as the junior senator for Arkansas since 2015. He graduated from Harvard University in 1998 with a degree in government and later a law degree from Harvard Law School in 2002.

Military Service and Achievements

After a brief stint in law, Cotton enlisted in the United States Army. Cotton earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge. Notably, he completed the rigorous Ranger School and proudly wore the Ranger Tab. As part of the 101st Airborne Division, Cotton earned the Combat Service ID Badge and the 506th Infantry Regimental Distinctive Insignia. His exceptional service was recognized with awards like the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Oak leaf cluster), and the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals.

Political Career and Views

Cotton’s political journey began when he was elected as the U.S. Representative for Arkansas’s 4th congressional district in 2012. His conservative stance was evident in his support for anti-abortion legislation, opposition to stem-cell research involving human embryos, and his vote against the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013.

A vocal opponent of the Iran nuclear deal, Cotton introduced legislation targeting Iranian officials and their families with sanctions. In 2015, he co-authored an open letter to Iranian leaders, expressing skepticism about the Obama administration’s authority in nuclear-proliferation negotiations. This move sparked debates over its constitutionality and led to claims of a potential violation of the Logan Act.

Foreign Policy and National Security

Cotton’s foreign policy views have been characterized as hawkish. He expressed concern about Russia’s actions, famously asserting that Russian officials would “lie and deny” about incidents like the poisoning of Sergei Skripal. On Iran, he introduced the Iran Hostage Taking Accountability Act, calling for sanctions on Iranians involved in the harassment of Americans and their families.