YouSaid · the spoken record
Tom Cotton
We hold 76 passages that may be Tom Cotton’s. We do not publish them until we can confirm who spoke. See the correction.
On the record 2017–2026
congress · podcast
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“I would like to extend my gratitude and admiration to Sergeant Perez, Specialist Martinez, Specialist Diaz, and Private First Class Oliva for doing, as my drill sergeant used to say, the hard right over the easy wrong. You did your duty with honor and integrity in a very dangerous situation. I commend you for your brave actions and congratulate you on earning this distinguished award. On the ground, in the air, in cyber space, and right here in the Nation's Capital, Arkansas National Guardsmen are always ready and always there. To my fellow Arkansans who have answered the call to serve in the Guard, I say: Thank you. Your example of selflessness, courage, and patriotism has made our country and our State proud. May God bless you and protect you. May God bless the United States of America. I yield the floor.”
Senate4 August 2026Source ↗
“Additionally, Arkansas National Guardsmen on the homefront have provided 15 percent of the targeting information for Operation Epic Fury, while guardsmen deployed overseas work on the ground in support of this critical mission. Last but certainly not least and most recently, the National Guardsmen stationed in Washington, DC, as part of the President's ``Safe and Beautiful'' mission are cleaning up our Nation's Capital for all Americans to enjoy. Earlier this summer, just a couple of miles from the Capitol Building, Arkansas National Guardsmen intervened in a violent assault and stopped a potential shooting.”
Senate4 August 2026Source ↗
“Madam President, I speak today in recognition of the bravery, courage, and valor of nearly 9,000 men and women in the Arkansas National Guard. Day in and day out, the heroes of our National Guard protect our communities and our homeland, stand at the ready to respond to natural disasters, and defend our freedom around the world. Their work is having a huge impact on many fronts. In Little Rock, our National Guardsmen recently participated in the Pentagon's largest unclassified cyber defense exercise, known as Cyber Shield, alongside more than 1,000 participants from 44 States and nearly two dozen countries. Down at the southern border, Arkansas National Guard troops are working to keep illegal aliens out of our country and stop the flow of deadly, illicit drugs into our communities.”
Senate4 August 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the, no doubt, scintillating remarks of Senator Welch.”
Senate28 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 454, H.R. 5334, postcloture; further, that the Senate recess tomorrow from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.”
Senate28 July 2026Source ↗
“Based on the shortcomings that my committee staff identified, I project that any supplemental appropriations bill or reconciliation bill must include around $40 billion for our intelligence Agencies. I look forward to working with Mr. Clayton to meet this vital need. Given his past professional experience, Mr. Clayton is well qualified to serve as the Director of National Intelligence. As the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mr. Clayton went after some of the worst of the worst national security threats. He has overseen numerous high-profile cases, including the indictment of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and the prosecution of an Iran-backed terrorist connected to multiple attempted terror attacks in the United States. Time and again, Mr.”
Senate28 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I speak today in support of Mr. Jay Clayton's nomination to be the next Director of National Intelligence. Earlier this month, Mr. Clayton appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he answered hundreds of written questions for the record and provided detailed testimony on his approach to serving in this new role. As part of these discussions, Mr. Clayton assured the committee that he would assist our efforts to return the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to its original size, scope, and mission. He also pledged to work with the committee to secure the essential funding the intelligence community needs.”
Senate28 July 2026Source ↗
“America and this Senate will forever be grateful to Senator Lindsey Graham for his lifetime of service, patriotism, and courageous leadership. I yield the floor.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“If you loved America, Lindsey loved you. If you fought for freedom, Lindsey would fight for you. Only in America could a man like Lindsey Graham leave such a mark on our history and our future. That above all is a testament to his strength of character. Lindsey's unwavering love for our Lord, devotion to our country, and commitment to his family defined his entire life. He was an example of what makes America exceptional. Though we lost a dedicated public servant, a workhorse of a colleague, and an irreplaceable friend, his memory and his legacy will never be forgotten. I extend my deepest prayers, thoughts, and condolences to Darline, Lindsey's family, Lindsey's staff, his friends, and his loved ones.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“He told me I was great; I needed to run for the Senate; we had to win the Senate seat in Arkansas. The next morning, we had a 08 briefing with General Breedlove, then the commander of our forces in Europe, and Lindsey stumbled in at about 8:55. Senator McCain hailed the arrival of his illegitimate son, and then we had a coffee break 5 minutes later, when Lindsey came over, slapped me on the back, and said: You were great. We have got to have you run for Senate. Now, what was your name again? That was Lindsey, self-described rascal that he was. I often joked about it--and with him. You never knew quite what Lindsey was up to, but it probably wasn't nothing. He became the first member of his family to attend college.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, Lindsey Graham was a self-made American original. Born in Central, SC, Lindsey grew up in a room behind his parents' bar and pool hall, where he worked to help the family make ends meet and earned the nickname ``Stinkball'' from its patrons because of his sense of humor and his irrepressible nature and his rascal streak, as he called it. I saw that in my first experience with Lindsey Graham. I traveled with him and Senator McCain to the Munich Security Conference in 2013 as a brandnew Congressman. That evening, as I was meeting some of the other Senators on the delegation--Senator Ayotte and Senator Corker-- Lindsey came up to me and slapped me on the back and asked me who the hell I was. I introduced myself, and I told him a little bit about my story, my service in the Army before I was elected to the House.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum calls with respect to the Stephens and Barrack nominations be waived.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“After decades of serving others in our Arkansas community, Warren now has answered the call to serve our country as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He is the right person to lead our strong, special relationship with the United Kingdom. I am pleased to support his nomination, and I urge all of my colleagues to confirm Warren so he can get to work on this critical job.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Because of their tireless efforts and dynamic vision, the museum is now a place for neighbors, friends, and families to gather, learn, and enjoy amazing works of art. Warren is also an active advocate for young generations of American students and athletes. Warren generously supports numerous universities and schools, including his alma mater, Washington and Lee, and the Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock. Additionally, he is the chairman and founder of the Jackson T. Stephens Cup, which showcases collegiate golfers from NCAA Division I schools, historically Black colleges and universities, and the U.S. service academies on the Nation's preeminent golf courses. I have had the privilege to know Warren and his family for a long time, and I can tell you that Warren has always wanted to serve his country.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Founded on a handshake by his father Jack and his uncle Witt, Warren become president and CEO of Stephens when he was only 29 years old. In the four decades since, Warren has built a global presence for Stephens, including in London, where he has spent a considerable amount of time. Warren's signature style of cordial, interpersonal, and dedicated leadership won him friends across America and the Atlantic, and, of course, in our home State of Arkansas. For many years, Warren and his wife Harriet have also served our Arkansas community with their time, talents, and generosity. They led a major, multiyear fundraising campaign that transformed the Arkansas Arts Center into the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, today, I urge my colleagues to confirm Warren Stephens to be our next U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom. President Trump could not have chosen a more qualified or well-suited person to lead the special relationship between our two nations. Warren Stephens is a family man, a businessman, a philanthropist, and a patriot who is a pillar of his community and his family-owned financial firm, Stephens Inc.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“President Trump is trying to implement the law that Congress passed, and many American businesses and investors are, apparently, interested in buying TikTok. I applaud patriotic Americans who want to buy this app and cut all ties with the Chinese communists. But reports have surfaced that some businesses and investors want a bad deal that would violate the law by letting communist China continue to influence the TikTok algorithm. Even worse, these potential buyers may ask Congress to somehow indemnify them for violating the law or immunize them for TikTok's past crimes against and injuries to the American people, especially young Americans. Let me say bluntly to any American who wants to invest in some half- ass TikTok deal: Congress will never protect you from going into business with communist China.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“The truth about China's genocide against the Tibet and Uighur people, the massacre at Tiananmen Square, the crackdown on Hong Kong, the origins of COVID, and more are all disappeared behind the veil of TikTok's algorithm. What TikTok doesn't say is only part of the problem. What it does say is deadly. The Chinese version of TikTok tells kids to study hard, eat their vegetables, and revere their dictator, Xi Jinping. But the American version of TikTok exposes our kids to videos that glamorize and glorify violence, obscenity, eating disorders, drug use, and even suicide. TikTok's lethal algorithm has, without question, cost the lives of too many Americans. That is why TikTok is so dangerous, and that is why Congress insisted that TikTok cut ties entirely with communist China.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, reserving the right to object because I do object to this effort and will object to future efforts to change the TikTok law. Let's remember how we got here. TikTok is a Chinese communist spy app and a tool of Chinese communist propaganda. That is why Congress passed an overwhelmingly bipartisan law mandating that TikTok's parent company sell it if TikTok is to continue operating in America. Why did Congress pass this law? Because TikTok is not just another social media platform. TikTok addicts our kids, harvests their data, exposes them to pedophiles, and promotes harmful and manipulative content, including vile, anti-Semitic videos. TikTok also silences, censors, and suppresses content that exposes communist China for what it really is--a monstrous tyranny.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Over the course of approximately 100 trips since 1981, Mike developed deep friendships with the people of Israel--Jewish, Muslim, and Christian alike. Mike spent his career leading fellow Christians on journeys of faith, Arkansans toward a brighter future, and pilgrims on voyages of discovery. I am confident that he will lead the United States' relationship with Israel on a path toward peace and prosperity for both of our peoples. I urge my Senate colleagues to support his nomination and approve his nomination swiftly. I yield the floor.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, today, I urge my Senate colleagues to confirm Gov. Mike Huckabee's nomination to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel. I have had the privilege of knowing Mike, his wife Janet, and his children John Mark, David, and Sarah, for many years. Mike's exemplary character, steadfast faith, and lifetime of servant leadership make him the right choice to represent the President in Israel, particularly at this critical moment. A friend, patriot, and fellow Arkansan, Mike graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a degree in religion before attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. As minister at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff and, later, pastor at Beech Street Baptist Church in Texarkana, Mike led congregations toward Christ-centered lives of faith, service, and charity.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be up to 20 minutes of debate under the control of Senator Paul for debate only.”
Senate14 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate14 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I have six requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.”
Senate13 March 2025Source ↗
“I think we can all agree that the American people deserve better than a government that is a day late and a couple billion dollars short. So I encourage my Democratic colleagues to vote with us to simply fund the government. Let's not have a Schumer shutdown. I yield the floor.”
Senate13 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate13 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 9:56 p.m., adjourned until Monday, February 10, 2025, at 3 p.m. ____________________”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, February 10; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume Executive Calendar No. 18, Tulsi Gabbard; finally, that the Senate vote at 5:30 p.m.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 66, which was submitted earlier today.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I have two requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.”
Senate5 February 2025Source ↗
“I urge all of my colleagues to vote on this motion so we can continue debate on this critical legislation.”
Senate28 January 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call with respect to the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 3, H.R. 23, be waived.”
Senate28 January 2025Source ↗
“So I regret that now we are going to spin our wheels for 2 days, but, as I said, don't make plans for the weekend, and don't have any dinner dates scheduled starting on Thursday night because we are going to get these nominees done the easy, collegial way or apparently the hard way. I yield the floor.”
Senate21 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate21 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, at 5:50 p.m. today, the Senate vote in relation to the following amendments: Cornyn No. 14 and Coons No. 23.”
Senate15 January 2025Source ↗
“The State attorneys general have brought lawsuits to defend their people. Those lawsuits have produced documents that showed, chapter and verse, exactly what TikTok has done to Americans. And, finally, we keep hearing: It is only 270 days. It is only 270 days. In 270 days, that is what TikTok will say again because it will not have been sold because Chinese communists won't allow it to be sold, because it is not just another app. It is not Instagram or Facebook or X or anything else. It is a Chinese communist spy app. I yield the floor.”
Senate15 January 2025Source ↗
“But one way or the other, communist China will no longer exert this massive influence over our Nation and our kids. I will now yield to Senator Ricketts.”
Senate15 January 2025Source ↗
“But whatever President Trump does with the January 6 defendants through commutations or pardons will pale in comparison to eliminating the judgment of these 37 depraved murderers' fellow citizens to impose the death penalty on them, will pale in comparison to depriving these families of some measure of justice 2 days before Christmas. So I do object to this resolution, and I cannot believe that this Senate--our Democratic colleagues cannot bring themselves to condemn some of these pardons over the last 2 months of Hunter Biden or the ``kids for cash'' judge who sold kids into juvenile detention centers for bribes or, now, depraved murderers. I object.”
Senate14 January 2025Source ↗
“That is all I am asking for today--unanimous consent for two resolutions. The first one condemns the commutation of Marvin Gabrion, a rapist and serial killer. The second condemns the commutation of Anthony Battle, who raped and murdered a U.S. marine and bludgeoned a correctional officer to death. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 24 and S. Res. 25; further, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, all en bloc.”
Senate14 January 2025Source ↗