U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton joined ArkansasRadio.com’s Open Mic program with Bob Connell for a wide-ranging discussion covering defense investment in Arkansas, lithium development, immigration enforcement, Iran, Venezuela and energy security.
Hear the complete interview here on ArkansasRadio.com’s Open Mic program below:
Cotton said one of his long-running priorities has been expanding Arkansas’ role in the nation’s defense industry.
He pointed to investment at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, the Camden Industrial Park and Ebbing Air National Guard Base near Fort Smith as examples of defense-related growth in the state. Cotton said those investments are creating high-paying jobs while supporting military readiness.
The senator also highlighted South Arkansas’ growing lithium industry.
Cotton said lithium is increasingly important to modern electronics, vehicles and appliances and argued that Arkansas’ lithium resources could help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources.
He said investment tied to South Arkansas lithium development has already brought billions of dollars into the state and could help make Arkansas a national leader in lithium production.
IMMIGRATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
The conversation also turned to immigration and law enforcement.
Cotton defended federal immigration enforcement and voiced support for local law enforcement agencies that cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He said more than 100 Arkansas law enforcement agencies have cooperative agreements with ICE and argued that continued federal funding is important for those partnerships.
Cotton also discussed border security and said Congress has approved significant funding for border infrastructure, Border Patrol and immigration enforcement.
During the interview, Cotton criticized the immigration policies of the Biden administration and praised current efforts to strengthen border enforcement.
IRAN AND NATIONAL SECURITY
Cotton also discussed Iran, describing the Iranian government as a serious threat to U.S. national security and regional stability.
He argued for continued military pressure, economic sanctions and efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to oil traffic.
Cotton said maintaining the flow of oil through the region is important both for national security and for keeping fuel prices lower for Americans.
The senator also spoke about the rescue of an American pilot following a military incident involving Iran, praising U.S. military and intelligence personnel for locating and recovering the pilot.
VENEZUELA AND ENERGY
The interview later shifted to Venezuela and energy security.
Cotton said expanding access to Venezuelan crude oil could benefit U.S. refineries, particularly facilities designed to process heavier crude.
He argued that adding Venezuelan reserves to the broader U.S. energy supply could strengthen long-term energy security and help keep gasoline, diesel and other petroleum-related costs more affordable.
ARKANSAS ECONOMIC GROWTH
Cotton closed the conversation by saying Arkansas has experienced a strong period of economic and defense-related growth.
He credited the state’s congressional delegation, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas General Assembly for policies and investments he said have helped make Arkansas more attractive for business and defense development.
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