Tom Cotton

Bio:  Tom Cotton is a United States Senator from Arkansas. Tom’s committees include the Banking Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Armed Services Committee, where he chairs the Air Land Power Subcommittee. Before, Tom served one term in the House of Representatives.

Military Bio:    Tom served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between his two combat tours, Tom served with The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Tom’s military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Ranger Tab.

Legislation:    Tom introduced the Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act, legislation that would expand the cemetery burial options offered by the VA to financially insolvent veterans. Specifically, this bill would allow veterans who could not otherwise afford services to be buried in the cemetery closest to their family and loved ones. The bill is named for Mr. Charles Duncan of Little Rock, Arkansas, who died last year. Due to financial hardship, Mr. Duncan’s family had to rely on the VA for his casket and burial fees, but bureaucratic roadblocks meant he was only eligible for burial in Fort Smith, Arkansas, over 150 miles from his home. As a result, Mr. Duncan’s adult daughter was unable to attend his funeral. On Tuesday, September 20th, the bill passed the Senate.