Career Timeline of Tom Cotton: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tom Cotton made an impact.

Tom Cotton is an American politician and Army veteran currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Arkansas since 2015. A Republican, he holds the position of Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and is the third-ranking Senate Republican. He also leads the Senate Intelligence Committee, demonstrating his influence and involvement in national security matters.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1979: Reference to Export Administration Act

In July 2017, the Israel Anti-Boycott Act was viewed by some as a clarification of the existing Export Administration Act of 1979.

1981: Reference to Iran's Past

In July 2018, while introducing the Iran Hostage Taking Accountability Act, Tom Cotton stated that Iran had not changed much since 1981.

1993: Jay Dickey Held 4th District Seat

In 1993, Jay Dickey held the 4th district seat.

2001: Jay Dickey Left 4th District Seat

In 2001, Jay Dickey left the 4th district seat.

2002: Previous Record in Massachusetts

In 2002, Michael Cloud set a record in Massachusetts.

January 11, 2005: Enlistment in the United States Army

On January 11, 2005, Tom Cotton enlisted in the United States Army.

March 2005: Entry into Officer Candidate School

In March 2005, Tom Cotton entered Officer Candidate School (OCS) in the U.S. Army.

2005: Cotton Enlists in the U.S. Army

In 2005, after working as a law clerk and in private practice, Tom Cotton enlisted in the U.S. Army.

May 2006: Deployment to Baghdad

In May 2006, Tom Cotton was deployed to Baghdad as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as a platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division.

December 2006: Promotion and Reassignment

In December 2006, Tom Cotton was promoted to first lieutenant and reassigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia, as a platoon leader.

October 2008: Deployment to Afghanistan

In October 2008, Tom Cotton was deployed to eastern Afghanistan as the operations officer of a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

July 2009: End of Afghanistan Deployment

In July 2009, Tom Cotton's deployment to eastern Afghanistan concluded.

September 2009: Honorable Discharge from the Army

In September 2009, Tom Cotton was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after completing two combat deployments overseas.

July 2010: Enters Army Reserve

In July 2010, Cotton entered the Army Reserve (USAR).

2010: Beth Anne Rankin Nominee

In 2010, Beth Anne Rankin was the Republican nominee for Congress.

2010: Considered Run Against Blanche Lincoln

In 2010, Tom Cotton considered a run against incumbent Democratic U.S. senator Blanche Lincoln but declined due to lack of donors and believing it was premature.

2011: Ran for Congress

In 2011, Tom Cotton ran for Congress in Arkansas's 4th congressional district after Democratic incumbent Mike Ross announced he would not seek reelection.

February 2012: Marcus Richmond Dropped Out of Race

In February 2012, Marcus Richmond dropped out of the race for Congress in Arkansas's 4th congressional district.

2012: Support for Traditional Marriage

In 2012, Tom Cotton stated his support for the "traditional understanding of marriage as the union of one man and one woman" and the Defense of Marriage Act.

2012: Opposition to Affordable Care Act

In 2012, Tom Cotton voiced his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, stating that "the first step is to repeal that law, which is offensive to a free society and a free people".

2012: Opposition to Amnesty for Illegal Aliens

In 2012, Tom Cotton's campaign website stated his opposition to granting illegal aliens amnesty or a so-called 'earned path to citizenship'.

January 3, 2013: Sworn into the House of Representatives

On January 3, 2013, Tom Cotton was sworn into the House of Representatives by Speaker John Boehner.

February 2013: Voted to Eliminate Pay Adjustment

In February 2013, Tom Cotton voted for an act to eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for federal employees.

May 2013: Discharge from Army Reserve

In May 2013, Cotton was discharged from the Army Reserve.

June 2013: Voted in favor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

In June 2013, Tom Cotton voted in favor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a bill aimed at banning abortion after 20 or more weeks post-fertilization.

July 2013: Opposition to Immigration Reform Proposal

In July 2013, Tom Cotton spoke against the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 during a House Republican meeting. His opposition contributed to the House's decision not to consider the bill.

August 6, 2013: Announced Senate Challenge

On August 6, 2013, Tom Cotton announced he would challenge Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor for his seat in the United States Senate.

August 2013: Voted against the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013

In August 2013, Tom Cotton voted against the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, preferring an alternative that would end the "federal-government monopoly on the student-lending business".

2013: Cotton Served in the House of Representatives

In 2013, Tom Cotton began serving in the United States House of Representatives, representing Arkansas's 4th congressional district.

2013: Introduction and Withdrawal of Legislative Language on Iran Sanctions

In 2013, Tom Cotton introduced legislative language to prohibit trade with relatives of individuals subject to U.S. sanctions against Iran, but he withdrew it after criticism regarding its constitutionality.

2013: Vote Against Reauthorizing Violence Against Women Act

In 2013, Tom Cotton voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, citing concerns that the federal powers in the act were too broad.

2014: Endorsement from the NRA

In 2014, Tom Cotton received an A rating and endorsement from the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).

2014: Voted against the Agricultural Act

In 2014, Tom Cotton voted against the revised measure, the Agricultural Act, which expanded crop insurance and a price floor for rice farmers.

2014: Cotton Elected to the Senate

In 2014, Tom Cotton was elected to the Senate, defeating two-term Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor.

January 6, 2015: Sworn into Office

On January 6, 2015, Tom Cotton was sworn into office as a U.S. Senator.

February 5, 2015: Called for housing more prisoners at Guantanamo Bay

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on February 5, 2015, Tom Cotton advocated for housing more prisoners at Guantanamo Bay instead of closing the facility.

February 2015: Blocking of Cassandra Butts's Nomination

In February 2015, Tom Cotton blocked the nomination of Cassandra Butts, nominated to be the United States ambassador to the Bahamas, along with ambassador nominees to Sweden and Norway, over a Secret Service leak, though the leak was unrelated to the nominees. He later released his holds on the Sweden and Norway nominees but maintained the hold on Butts.

March 2015: Letter to Iranian Leaders

In March 2015, Tom Cotton wrote and sent a letter to the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed by 47 of the Senate's 54 Republicans, that cast doubt on the Obama administration's authority to engage in nuclear-proliferation negotiations with Iran. This action led to questions about a potential violation of the Logan Act.

2015: Tom Cotton Becomes Senator

In 2015, Tom Cotton began his service as the junior United States Senator from Arkansas.

2015: End of House of Representatives Service

In 2015, Tom Cotton concluded his service in the United States House of Representatives.

March 2016: Refusal to Consider Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

In March 2016, Tom Cotton refused to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee during a presidential election year, arguing that voters should have a chance to weigh in on the makeup of the Supreme Court.

September 2016: Signed a letter to United States secretary of state John Kerry advocating that the United States use "all available tools to dissuade Russia from continuing its airstrikes in Syria"

In September 2016, Tom Cotton was among 34 senators who signed a letter to United States secretary of state John Kerry advocating that the United States use all available tools to dissuade Russia from continuing its airstrikes in Syria from an Iranian airbase near Hamadan.

2016: Opposed an amendment to the 2016 Defense Authorization Act that would impair any future president's ability to authorize torture

In 2016, Tom Cotton was one of 21 Senate Republicans to oppose an amendment to the 2016 Defense Authorization Act that would impair any future president's ability to authorize torture.

2016: Previous Record in Alaska

In 2016, a record was set in Alaska for a Libertarian candidate in a U.S. Senate election.

2016: Response to United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions

In July 2017, some viewed the Israel Anti-Boycott Act as a response to the 2016 United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions that called on corporations to reassess business activities that may impact Palestinian human rights.

February 7, 2017: Proposal of the RAISE Act

On February 7, 2017, Tom Cotton and Senator David Perdue proposed the RAISE Act, an immigration bill that would limit the family route, or chain migration, set a limit on the number of refugees offered residency at 50,000 a year, and remove the Diversity Immigrant Visa.

July 2017: Co-sponsorship of Israel Anti-Boycott Act

In July 2017, Tom Cotton co-sponsored the bipartisan Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S.270), which amended federal law to prohibit support to foreign governments or organizations boycotting Israel, generating controversy over potential restrictions on private citizens' activities.

July 2017: Voted in favor of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act

In July 2017, Tom Cotton voted in favor of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which included sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

November 2017: Characterized as a Trump loyalist

In November 2017, during Trump's presidency, Tom Cotton was characterized as a Trump loyalist. He frequently met with Trump's staff during the transition period, and according to Steve Bannon, suggested John F. Kelly as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

2017: Support for Trump's Executive Order on Immigration

In 2017, Tom Cotton supported Trump's Executive Order 13769, which prohibited immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

2017: Response to the Las Vegas Shooting

In 2017, in response to the Las Vegas shooting, Tom Cotton initially stated that he did not believe any new gun control legislation would have prevented the shooting. After it was established that semi-automatic rifles with a bump stock attachment were used, he said he was "willing to entertain" regulation of bump stocks.

January 11, 2018: Alleged Comments by Trump at Meeting

On January 11, 2018, Tom Cotton was present at a meeting where Trump allegedly called Haiti and African nations "shithole countries." Cotton and Senator David Perdue issued a joint statement saying they did not recall Trump saying those comments specifically.

March 13, 2018: Comments on Sergei Skripal Poisoning

On March 13, 2018, Tom Cotton commented on the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, predicting that Russian officials would "lie and deny" and suggesting retaliatory measures, including renewed sanctions on oil.

July 2018: Introduction of Iran Hostage Taking Accountability Act

In July 2018, Tom Cotton introduced the Iran Hostage Taking Accountability Act, which would call for the president to compose a list of Iranians responsible for the politically-motivated harassment, abuse, or imprisonment of Americans and impose sanctions on them and their families.

August 2018: Urged the Trump administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials

In August 2018, Tom Cotton and other lawmakers urged the Trump administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

November 2018: Opposition to Criminal Justice Reform Bill

In November 2018, Tom Cotton argued against a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill (FIRST STEP Act), incorrectly claiming that there had been no hearings on the bill. He also asserted that convicts of certain sex-related crimes could accrue credits making them eligible for supervised release.

November 28, 2018: House Passes Bill Adding Ireland to E-3 Visa Program

On November 28, 2018, the House of Representatives passed a bill to add Ireland to the E-3 Non-immigrant Visa Program.

November 28, 2018: House Passage of Ireland E-3 Visa Bill

On November 28, 2018, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to add Ireland to the E-3 Non-immigrant Visa Program.

December 2018: Senatorial Hold on H.R.7164

In December 2018, Tom Cotton placed a senatorial hold on H.R.7164 – A Bill to add Ireland to the E-3 Non-immigrant Visa Program, preventing it from reaching the Senate floor for consideration.

December 2018: Expressed concern about the withdrawal of American troops in Syria

In December 2018, Tom Cotton was one of six senators to sign a letter expressing concern about Trump's announcement of the withdrawal of American troops in Syria.

December 18, 2018: Vote Against the FIRST STEP Act

On December 18, 2018, Tom Cotton voted against the FIRST STEP Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, which passed 87-12.

2018: Asserted that the Open Skies agreement was outdated and favored Russian interests

In 2018, Tom Cotton asserted that the Open Skies agreement was outdated and favored Russian interests.

2018: Cosponsored the Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act

In 2018, Tom Cotton cosponsored the Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act, aimed at examining Chinese influence attempts in the U.S. and allied countries.

January 2019: Voted to advance legislation intended to block Trump's intent to lift sanctions against three Russian companies

In January 2019, Tom Cotton was one of 11 Republican senators to vote to advance legislation intended to block Trump's intent to lift sanctions against three Russian companies.

January 2019: Cosponsorship of Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

In January 2019, Tom Cotton was one of 31 Republican senators to cosponsor the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, a bill that would grant individuals with concealed carry privileges the right to exercise this right in any other state with concealed carry laws.

February 2019: Signed a letter requesting that Pelosi invite President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen to address a joint meeting of Congress

In February 2019, Tom Cotton was among a group of Senate Republicans who signed a letter requesting that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi invite President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen to address a joint meeting of Congress.

May 2019: Commented on the impact of tariffs on farmers in Arkansas

In May 2019, Tom Cotton commented that there would be "some sacrifices" from Americans due to tariffs, but farmers were willing to make those sacrifices to fend off Chinese attempts to displace the U.S. globally.

May 2019: Cosponsored the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act

In May 2019, Tom Cotton cosponsored the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act, intended to disrupt China's consolidation or expansion of its claims in disputed zones in the South China Sea.

May 2019: Statements on Potential War with Iran

In May 2019, Tom Cotton stated that in the event of a war with Iran, the United States could easily win in "two strikes" and warned of a "furious response" to any provocation from Iran.

July 2019: Sponsored the Defending America's 5G Future Act

In July 2019, Tom Cotton and Senator Chris Van Hollen sponsored the Defending America's 5G Future Act, aimed at preventing Huawei from being removed from the Commerce Department's "entity list" without congressional approval.

August 2019: Suggested the U.S. should buy Greenland

In August 2019, it was reported that Tom Cotton had suggested to Trump and the Danish ambassador that the U.S. should buy Greenland.

2019: Publication of Book on the Old Guard

In 2019, Tom Cotton published a book about the role of the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery, based partly on his service in that unit as an officer.

January 28, 2020: Urged the Trump administration to halt commercial flights from China to the United States

On January 28, 2020, Tom Cotton urged the Trump administration to halt commercial flights from China to the United States due to the emergence of COVID-19.

February 16, 2020: Suggested the coronavirus may have started at the biosafety level 4 super laboratory in Wuhan, China

In a February 16, 2020, Fox News interview, Tom Cotton suggested the coronavirus may have originated at the biosafety level 4 super laboratory in Wuhan, China, prompting responses from scientists and media outlets.

March 2020: Tweeted about holding accountable those who inflicted the pandemic on the world

Around March 2020, Tom Cotton tweeted about holding accountable those who inflicted the pandemic on the world, responding "Correct" to a tweet stating "China will pay for this".

April 2020: Suggested restrictions on Chinese students studying in the U.S.

In April 2020, Tom Cotton suggested that Chinese students in the United States should be restricted to studying humanities and banned from science-related fields.

April 2020: Accused the Chinese government of a deliberate attack on the world through non-containment of the pandemic

In late April 2020, Tom Cotton stated in a Fox News interview that the non-containment of the pandemic was a "deliberate" and "malevolent" attack by the Chinese government on the rest of the world.

July 2020: Introduction of Saving American History Act

In July 2020, Tom Cotton introduced the Saving American History Act of 2020, proposed legislation preventing the use of federal tax dollars for the teaching of The 1619 Project. He also described slavery as a "necessary evil" upon which the union was built.

August 10, 2020: Sanctioned by the Chinese government

On August 10, 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned Tom Cotton and 10 other Americans for "behaving badly on Hong Kong-related issues".

September 2020: Shortlisted for Supreme Court Nominee

In September 2020, Tom Cotton was shortlisted by Trump as a potential Supreme Court nominee, but Amy Coney Barrett was ultimately chosen instead.

2020: Tom Cotton on the 2020 Presidential Election

In January 2021, Tom Cotton announced he would not support any attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election during the joint congressional certification of Electoral College results on January 6, 2021.

January 6, 2021: Refusal to Support Overturning 2020 Election

On January 6, 2021, Tom Cotton announced that he would not support any attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election during the joint congressional certification of Electoral College results.

January 2021: Announcement Against Overturning 2020 Election

February 2021: Criticism of Biden's Immigration Policies at CPAC

In February 2021, Tom Cotton criticized the Democrats' and Joe Biden's immigration policies at CPAC. He claimed that the Biden administration had halted deportations for all illegal aliens, including criminals, a claim PolitiFact rated as "False".

February 2021: Released a report calling for economic decoupling from China

In February 2021, Tom Cotton released a report titled "Beat China: Targeted Decoupling and the Economic Long War", advocating for the U.S. to sever most economic ties with China.

May 28, 2021: Voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the 2021 United States Capitol attack

On May 28, 2021, Tom Cotton voted against the creation of an independent commission that would investigate the events surrounding the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

September 2021: Rejection of Amendment on Afghan Refugee Assistance

In September 2021, the Senate voted along partisan lines to reject Tom Cotton's amendment that sought to curtail assistance to Afghan refugees and hinder their ability to obtain federally recognized identification cards without proving their identity.

May 2022: Listed as one of the U.S. lawmakers who had received the most funding from the NRA.

In May 2022, People.com listed Tom Cotton as one of the U.S. lawmakers who had received the most funding from the NRA.

June 2022: Introduction of the "Stop Gun Criminals Act"

In June 2022, Tom Cotton introduced the "Stop Gun Criminals Act", which sought to increase minimum sentences for existing offenses but provided no new regulation.

June 2022: Reacted to Overturning of Roe v. Wade

In June 2022, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Tom Cotton described Roe as a "tragic mistake" that had been "corrected" and praised those who worked towards this outcome.

2022: Blasted the ranked-choice voting system

In 2022, following Mary Peltola's victory in the Alaska's at-large congressional district special election, Tom Cotton criticized the ranked-choice voting system used in Alaska.

March 2023: Introduced the Not One More Inch or Acre Act

In March 2023, Tom Cotton and Senator Katie Britt introduced the Not One More Inch or Acre Act, which aimed to ban Chinese nationals or entities from owning American land.

July 2023: Criticized President Joe Biden's efforts to diplomatically engage with China

In July 2023, Tom Cotton criticized President Joe Biden's diplomatic efforts with China, comparing Biden administration officials to "lovestruck teenagers."

October 2023: Condemnation of Hamas and Support for Israel

In October 2023, Tom Cotton condemned Hamas's actions during the Israel–Hamas war, expressed support for Israel's right to self-defense, and denied that Israel was committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip, asserting Israel's right to strike back if Hamas used civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

November 9, 2023: Request for Investigation of Journalists

On November 9, 2023, Tom Cotton asked the Department of Justice to investigate whether journalists working for international news outlets "committed federal crimes by supporting Hamas terrorists".

2023: Voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

In 2023, Tom Cotton was among the Senate Republicans who voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, expressing concerns about the bill's limitations on defense spending increases.

January 2024: Questioned TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew during a Senate hearing

In January 2024, during a Senate hearing on child safety on social media, Tom Cotton repeatedly questioned TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew about his potential membership in the Chinese Communist Party.

February 28, 2024: Response to Aaron Bushnell's Self-Immolation

On February 28, 2024, Tom Cotton responded to United States airman Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation by sending a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin calling Bushnell's death "an act of horrific violence" that was "in support of a terrorist group [Hamas]" and asking about internal efforts to address extremism in the military.

April 2024: Threats against the International Criminal Court

In April 2024, Tom Cotton threatened to cut U.S. funding to the International Criminal Court (ICC), sanction ICC employees, and bar the employees and their families from entering the U.S. if the ICC issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.

November 2024: Selection as Senate Republican Conference Chair

In November 2024, Tom Cotton was selected as chair of the Senate Republican Conference and chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He was also considered a potential candidate for United States Secretary of Defense in Donald Trump's second cabinet.

November 21, 2024: Response to ICC Arrest Warrants

On November 21, 2024, after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, Tom Cotton called it a "kangaroo court" and the prosecutor, Karim Khan, a "deranged fanatic," also suggesting that The Hague should be invaded if Netanyahu was arrested.