As the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency continues to target areas of the federal government for budget cuts, Social Security reform is one of the top issues among voters and politicians alike. Below is a breakdown of Arkansas’ US Senators and House Representatives votes and stances on Social Security. While some Arkansas congressional members have voiced specific concerns about DOGE’s approaches, others have remained publicly silent on the department’s initiatives.
The most recent significant legislative action concerning Social Security reform is the enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R.82), which became Public Law No. 118-273 on January 5, 2025. This law repeals the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination provisions, thereby adjusting the calculation of Social Security benefits for individuals with certain public sector pensions.
Senators John Boozman and Senator Tom Cotton
Specific statements or votes by Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton on the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 were not found in the available sources. However, historically, both senators have supported measures aimed at reforming Social Security to ensure its long-term solvency. For instance, in July 2021, Senator Cotton reintroduced a bill to reform Social Security and encourage Americans to return to work, with Congressman French Hill co-sponsoring the House version.
While specific votes or statements by Representatives Crawford, Hill, Womack, and Westerman on the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 are not detailed in the provided sources, it is noteworthy that in July 2021, Representative French Hill collaborated with Senator Tom Cotton to reintroduce legislation aimed at reforming Social Security and incentivizing workforce participation. This indicates an ongoing interest among Arkansas’s congressional delegation in addressing Social Security.
Representative Rick Crawford: Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Representative Crawford has advocated for more discerning budget cuts, emphasizing that reductions should focus on Washington, D.C.-based expenditures. He stated, “The bulk of the waste is right here in this town.”
Representative French Hill: Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Representative Hill did not attend a recent rally in Little Rock where constituents voiced concerns over DOGE’s cuts to government services.
Representative Steve Womack: As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, Representative Womack has not publicly addressed DOGE’s actions.
Representative Bruce Westerman: Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Representative Westerman has not made public remarks regarding DOGE’s policies.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has expressed support for the appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead DOGE, advocating for significant reductions in federal spending.
