3. Economy: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, known as the economic stimulus package, passed by Congress in response to the economic recession.
Oppose No country or international organization should impose or unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. Only Israel can negotiate a legitimate peace and two-state solution. Then and only then should the United States, follow Israel's lead and recognize a Palestinian state.
10. Protected Classes: Adding “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in antidiscrimination law.
11. Immigration: How should the federal government respond to the estimated 15 million illegal immigrants who are in the U.S.?
Mr. Tom Cotton (R):
I oppose amnesty of any form, which will simply encourage more illegal immigration in the future. I oppose social-welfare benefits for illegal immigrants, which also attracts more illegal immigration. Those persons here illegally should return to their country of origin and go to the back of the line of people waiting to immigrate here legally, exactly the kind of new Americans we should want.
12. Economy: How should the federal government respond to our nation’s $15 trillion national debt?
Mr. Tom Cotton (R):
First, we should pass a Balanced Budget Amendment. Second, we should return domestic discretionary spending to its pre-Obama levels (roughly $930 billion) and freeze it there through 2021. Third, we must reform Medicare and Medicaid by introducing consumer choice and provider competition, which always lowers prices. Finally, we must simplify our tax code to grow the economy.
13. Defense: Should the U.S. military be restructured? If so, how? If not, why not?
Mr. Tom Cotton (R):
The US military should be supported and funded, not gutted as has happened under the Obama administration. We are cutting over 100,000 troops from the Army and Marines, reducing the Navy to under 250 ships, and canceling the next generation of Air Force fighter jets. I would stop these radical cuts and rebuild the military to fight and win tomorrow's wars. I would also continue to make the Army a lighter, more agile force, while adding more special-operations capabilities to all the services.
14. Government: List any federal departments that should be eliminated, added, or changed along with your proposals. If there are none, please tell why.
Mr. Tom Cotton (R):
Department of Commerce (eliminate and place legitimate programs, e.g., Census Bureau, elsewhere)
Department of Energy (eliminate all "green energy" programs and return to pre-2009 role of basic research and nuclear security)
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (unwind and privatize)
Amtrak (eliminate subsidies and privatize)
Planned Parenthood (eliminate all federal funding)
