John Boozman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2017 | |
| Chair of theSenate Agriculture Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Debbie Stabenow |
| Ranking Member of theSenate Agriculture Committee | |
| In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Debbie Stabenow |
| Succeeded by | Amy Klobuchar |
| United States Senator fromArkansas | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2011 Serving with Tom Cotton | |
| Preceded by | Blanche Lincoln |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromArkansas's3rd district | |
| In office November 20, 2001 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Asa Hutchinson |
| Succeeded by | Steve Womack |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Nichols Boozman (1950-12-10)December 10, 1950 (age 75) Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Fay Boozman (brother) |
| Education | University of Arkansas Southern College of Optometry (OD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | Senate website Campaign website |
John Nichols Boozman (/ˈboʊz.mən/BOHZ-mən; born December 10, 1950) is an American politician and formeroptometrist serving as theseniorUnited States senator fromArkansas, a seat he has held since 2011. A member of theRepublican Party, he was theU.S. representative forArkansas's 3rd congressional district from 2001 to 2011. He has been the dean ofArkansas's congressional delegation since 2013, when RepresentativeMike Ross retired.
Boozman was born inShreveport, Louisiana, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Air Force, but the family eventually returned toFort Smith, Arkansas, where he was raised. He is the brother of the latestate senatorFay Boozman. He attended theUniversity of Arkansas, where he playedfootball for theArkansas Razorbacks, and later graduated from theSouthern College of Optometry. He co-founded a privateoptometry clinic in 1977 and worked as a volunteer optometrist for low-income families. He won a special election in 2001 to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as assistantmajority whip and sat on the Republican Policy Committee. He was an advocate for drug policy issues and chaired theVeterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, where he led the passage of bills expanding services for unemployed veterans.
Boozman was elected to theUnited States Senate in2010, defeatingDemocratic incumbentBlanche Lincoln by a 21-point margin and becoming only the second Republican to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Arkansas sinceReconstruction. He took office in January 2011 and is the ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestrySubcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade and the Senate Appropriations CommitteeSubcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies. He is also a senior member of the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Boozman became the senior senator from Arkansas in 2015 when Democratic incumbentMark Pryor left the Senate afterhis defeat byTom Cotton. Boozman was reelected in2016 and2022.
Boozman was born inShreveport, Louisiana,[1] the son of Marie E. (née Nichols) and Fay Winford Boozman, Jr. (1923–1991).[2] Boozman's father, whose last address was inRogers, Arkansas, was aMaster Sergeant in theUnited States Air Force.[3] His elder brother,Fay Boozman (1946–2005), was also a politician. After graduating fromNorthside High School inFort Smith, Arkansas, Boozman playedfootball for theArkansas Razorbacks at theUniversity of Arkansas, which he attended from 1969 to 1973,[4] while completing his pre-optometry requirements. He did not graduate from the University of Arkansas.[5] He graduated from theSouthern College of Optometry in 1977 and entered private practice that same year as co-founder of BoozmanHof Regional Eye Clinic in Rogers, which has become a major provider of eye care toNorthwest Arkansas. He established the low vision program at theArkansas School for the Blind inLittle Rock and worked as a volunteer optometrist at an area clinic that provides medical services to low-income families.
Before his election to Congress, Boozman served two terms on theRogers Public School Board, which governs one of Arkansas's largest school districts.[6]
Boozman was elected to Congress in aspecial election after his predecessor,Asa Hutchinson, resigned to become the head of theDrug Enforcement Administration. He defeated Democratic state representative Mike Hathorn in 2001.[7] Boozman was unopposed in 2002, defeatedDemocraticState Representative Jan Judy 59%-38% in 2004, and defeated Democratic nominee Woodrow Anderson III in 2006. The Democrats did not field a candidate against him in 2008, and he won with over 78% of the vote against token opposition from aGreen Party candidate.[8]
In October 2002, Boozman voted in favor of theIraq Resolution that led to theIraq War.[9] In 2011, after 4,500 Americans and hundreds of thousands of civilians had died, he said: "Right now, Iraq has a stable police force, a stable military. And hopefully that will continue, and they’ll be successful in having a form of democracy that is not a safe haven for terrorism in the future.”[10]
Starting during the 108th Congress, Boozman served as an Assistant Whip, making him responsible for helping House Republican WhipsRoy Blunt andEric Cantor secure the votes for or against major legislation.
Boozman was also named to the Speaker's Task Force for a Drug-Free America in 2003. The task force advised House SpeakerDennis Hastert on major drug policy issues and helped author legislation regarding recreational drugs, including anti-methamphetamine legislation. Boozman was the lead author of the Stop Marketing Illegal Drugs to Minors Act, a bill that would increase penalties on criminals who design and market drugs such as candy-flavored meth for kids.[11] He was praised by theNational Association of Drug Court Professionals, earning the organization's Congressional Leadership Award in 2009.[12] In 2006, Congress passed a Boozman-authored provision promoting an expanded role for drug courts in efforts to reduce drug abuse and recidivism.[13]
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Boozman endorsed formerGovernor of ArkansasMike Huckabee for president.
In the109th Congress, Boozman chaired the Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, which focuses on ensuring veterans have a smooth transition to civilian life. He has used his seat on the Veterans Affairs Committee to pass legislation honoring the service and sacrifice of United States military veterans and increasing benefits to them and their families. In the 111th Congress, Boozman introduced and the House of Representatives passed the Veterans Retraining Act of 2009, which provides resources and training opportunities for unemployed veterans.[14] The House also passed several other Boozman-authored bills, including one that creates grants to help disabled veterans adapt their homes and vehicles to meet their needs.[15]
In May 2004, Boozman was appointed to the House Policy Committee, a committee of Republicans who vet issues and formulate legislation to address them.[16]
Boozman was also a member of theNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), an inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from the 19 member countries of NATO and 20 associate countries. He was also appointed vice-chairman of the British American Parliamentary Group, a group of American and British lawmakers who meet to discuss issues of concern and fortify the already strong alliance between the two nations.
Boozman was a member of numerous House caucuses, including the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, the National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus, the Congressional Rural Caucus and the Congressional Sportsman's Caucus. He was also one of the founding members of the Congressional I-49 Caucus to promote completion ofInterstate 49, and chaired the Congressional Caucus on theIvory Coast and West Africa Caucus.
Congress.org's power rankings rated Boozman's power rating at 7.31, making him the 386th most powerful member out of 435.[17]
According to the April 28, 2007,Washington Post, Boozman was told by officials in theWhite House about its intention to fireBud Cummins,United States Attorney for theEastern District of Arkansas, and replace him withTim Griffin, an aide toKarl Rove. According to thePost, none of the Democrats in Arkansas' congressional delegation were told that Cummins was to be one of eight U.S. Attorneysto be fired. Although Boozman did not represent any counties in the Eastern District, he was informed because he was the only Republican in the state's congressional delegation.
Boozman told thePost and theAssociated Press that White House officials had promised him that Griffin would be subject to Senate confirmation. Instead,Attorney GeneralAlberto Gonzales appointed Griffin as interim U.S. Attorney, using a provision of thePatriot Act that has since been repealed due to the controversy. Boozman also said that he did not think Cummins should have been fired because he was "very well respected and has served the president well."[18]
In 2010, Boozman did not run for reelection to the House and instead ran for the Senate seat held by incumbent two-termDemocratBlanche Lincoln, who had defeated Boozman's brother, Fay, in her first run for the seat in 1998. He won the May 2010 Republican primary and defeated Lincoln in the general election, 58% to 37%.[19]
Boozman won a second term in 2016, defeating formerU.S. AttorneyConner Eldridge with 59.8% of the vote.[20] He became the first Republican to be popularly elected to a second term in the Senate from Arkansas.[citation needed]
On March 6, 2021, Boozman announced he would seek a third term as Senator.[21] He won his third term in 2022, defeating Democrat Natalie James with 65.8% of the vote.[22]
Boozman began his term in the Senate in January 2011.
Boozman andTom Cotton initially objected to the certification of the2021 United States Electoral College vote count. After the2021 United States Capitol attack, they voted to support it. Boozman said: "The events that transpired in Washington were not only shocking and unlawful, but represent a dark moment in our country's history that we must reckon with today and in the days to come."[23]
In 2024, Boozman led a bipartisan Congressional delegation toFrance to honor the 80th anniversary ofD-Day.[24]
Boozman voted for legislation that would require theFood and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve safety by regulating non-corrective colored contact lenses as medical devices.[32] PresidentGeorge W. Bush signed this legislation into law in 2005.[33]
In the 111th Congress, Boozman introduced legislation (H.R. 2230) to provide tax credits for teachers and principals who work in challenging, low-income schools.[15] He has also introduced legislation to reform theNo Child Left Behind Act. One bill (H.R. 2229) would give states latitude to adopt alternate and modified standards for children with disabilities.[34]
Other legislation that Boozman has introduced includes a bill to provide a tax credit for volunteer firefighters, a bill to require that parents be notified when a minor seeks an abortion, and a bill to create alternatives to traditional foreign aid to poor countries in sub-Saharan Africa.[15][35]
TheZionist Organization of America has praised Boozman for his opposition to federal aid toHamas.[36]
Boozman received an 85.48% Lifetime Score from theAmerican Conservative Union.[37]
Boozman opposesabortion.[38] AfterDobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in June 2022, he wrote: "The Supreme Court’s decision to affirm there is no constitutional right to indiscriminately sacrifice the lives of children in their mothers' wombs is the culmination of decades of work to correct the tragic, deadly lie that unborn babies are expendable and undeserving of protection."[39]
Boozman introduced legislation in the110th Congress calling for a study of the historicButterfield Overland Mail Trail for the potential addition to theNational Trails System. This legislation passed as part of an omnibus bill (P.L. 111-11), and was signed by PresidentBarack Obama on March 30, 2009.[40]
In addition to preserving the historical significance of the Butterfield Trail, Boozman supported an effort to secure the home[clarification needed] of the U.S. Marshals Museum inFort Smith;[41] in January 2007, it was announced that Fort Smith would be the museum's permanent home. In the111th Congress, Boozman introduced legislation to recognize the 225th Anniversary of theU.S. Marshals Service with a commemorative coin to be minted in 2014.[42]
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Boozman has penned three bills, each enacted into law, to name certain U.S. Post Offices in Arkansas,[43] including naming The Harrison Post Office after former Arkansas CongressmanJohn Paul Hammerschmidt.[44]
Boozman voted against theAffordable Care Act (Obamacare) on November 7, 2009, later writing: "I am for health care reform, unfortunately, this bill does more harm than good."[45]
Boozman supportedDonald Trump's2016 presidential campaign.[46] He voted with Trump's stated position 91.5% of the time,[47] and voted to acquit Trump in both of his impeachment trials.[48][49]
Boozman received an "A" grade from theNational Rifle AssociationPolitical Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) for his support ofgun rights.[50][51][52] In May 2011, he voted to table an amendment that prohibited usage of thePatriot Act to access firearm records.[53] In April 2013, in the wake of theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Boozman was one of 46 senators to vote against a bill that would have extended background checks to all firearm transfers. He voted with 40 Republicans and five Democrats to stop the bill.[54]
In 2016, Boozman voted against the proposed Feinstein Amendment, which sought to ban the sale of firearms to known and/or suspected terrorists,[55] claiming that it would deprive Americans of due process.
In November 2013, Boozman was one of 32 senators (all Republican) who voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination in organizations of 15 or more employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity.[56]
In April 2014, Boozman voted against acloture motion for thePaycheck Fairness Act, a bill that establishes additional penalties for violations of equal pay requirements in the Fair Labor Standards Act, including a prohibition on an employer from paying a wage rate to employees of a particular sex that is lower than the rate paid to employees of the opposite sex for equal work unless such payment is made due to certain factors including but not limited to "a bona fide factor other than sex".[57] Some groups characterized the legislation as redundant, citing the 1963 Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as existing protections against wage discrimination based on gender or race. The Senate Republican Conference called it "the latest ploy in the Democrats' election-year playbook".[58]
In September 2004, Boozman voted for aconstitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.[59] The amendment did not pass.[59]
In July 2006, Boozman co-introduced and voted for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.[60] The amendment did not pass.[60]
In April 2009, Boozman voted against the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which sought to define crimes committed against a person because of theirsexual orientation orgender identity ashate crimes: "I opposed this legislation because it creates a new federal offense for so-called hate crimes, and adds a special class crimes potentially motivated by the victims sexual orientation, 'gender identity', or the perceived thoughts of the alleged criminal."[61] The act passed the House.[61]
In December 2010, Boozman voted against repealingDon't Ask, Don't Tell, claiming that the "current policy has worked well" and that "we haven't had any significant problems with it."[62][63] The vote passed by a margin of 250-175, andDon't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed.[62]
In December 2012, Boozman voted against ratifying theConvention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an internationalhuman rights treaty of theUnited Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons withdisabilities.[64] The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sought to "promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity," but the convention only reached 61 of the 66 votes required for passage.[64][65]
In February 2013, Boozman voted against reauthorizing theViolence Against Women Act.[66][67] The bill passed by a 78–22 margin.[66] He cited concerns "about the constitutionality of allowing tribal courts jurisdiction over non-Native Americans who are accused of committing an act of domestic violence on tribal lands or against Native Americans” as part of his opposition to the measure.[68]
In September 2012, Boozman voted to block advancement of the Veterans Job Corps Act of 2012, even though he had partially authored the bill.[69] The bill, which would have established a $1 billion Veterans Jobs Corps at a time when the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans was 10.9%, fell two votes shy (58–40) of the 60 needed for passage.[69] The legislation underwent changes related to how it would offset spending, which led Boozman to vote against it.[70][71]
In 2017, Boozman was one of 22 senators to sign a letter[72] to PresidentDonald Trump urging him to withdraw the United States from theParis Agreement. According toOpenSecrets, Boozman has received nearly $150,000 from oil, gas, and coal interests since 2012.[73] He claimed that EPA regulations are creating a dirtier climate abroad and providing no gain to the United States.[74]
Boozman wrote: "I commend President Trump for taking the appropriate steps to make a clean exit from it so we can continue to pursue an 'all-of-the-above' approach to meeting our energy needs free of the significant litigation risk created by the agreement." He added: "It is important to stress that a clean exit from the Paris climate accord will not take away the United States' seat at the table in future discussions, nor will it detract from our efforts to pursue renewable energy solutions."[75]
In March 2017, Boozman co-sponsored theIsrael Anti-Boycott Act (s. 720), which made it a federal crime for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts againstIsrael andIsraeli settlements in the occupiedPalestinian territories if protesting actions by the Israeli government.[76][77]
In January 2019, Boozman was one of 11 Republican senators to vote to advance legislation intended to block President Trump's intent to lift sanctions against three Russian companies.[78]
On May 28, 2021, Boozman voted against creating aJanuary 6 commission to investigate the2021 United States Capitol attack.[79]
| Year | Office | Party | Primary | General | Result | Swing | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Runoff | % | P. | Total | % | ±% | P. | |||||||
| 2001 | U.S. Representative | Republican | 16,330 | 43.24% | 1st | 19,583 | 56.58% | 1st | 52,894 | 55.55% | –44.45% | 1st | Won | Hold | ||
| 2002 | Republican | 141,478 | 98.90% | +43.35% | 1st | Won | Hold | |||||||||
| 2004 | Republican | 160,629 | 59.32% | –39.58% | 1st | Won | Hold | |||||||||
| 2006 | Republican | 125,039 | 62.23% | +2.91% | 1st | Won | Hold | |||||||||
| 2008 | Republican | 215,196 | 78.53% | +16.3% | 1st | Won | Hold | |||||||||
| 2010 | U.S. Senator | Republican | 75,010 | 52.73% | 1st | 451,618 | 57.90% | -13.83% | 1st | Won | Gain | |||||
| 2016 | Republican | 298,039 | 76.45% | 1st | 661,984 | 59.77% | +1.87% | 1st | Won | Hold | ||||||
| 2022 | Republican | 201,677 | 58.0% | 1st | 592,433 | 65.7% | +5.96% | 1st | Won | Hold | ||||||
Boozman lives in Rogers with his wife, Cathy Marley Boozman.[80][81] They have three daughters. He has raisedPolled Hereford cattle that were competitive in the show ring, and in bull testing atOklahoma State University. The Boozman family is active in the 4-H program.[80]
On April 22, 2014, Boozman underwent emergency heart surgery.[82] In 2017, he underwent a successful followup procedure that was recommended by doctors who had been monitoring his aorta since a tear in it was surgically repaired in 2014.[83]
John's ophthalmologist brother, Fay Winford Boozman III, co-founded the Boozman Regional Eye Clinic (now named BoozmanHof Regional Eye Clinic) with John after receiving his ophthalmology degree. Fay was elected to theArkansas Senate in 1994 as a Republican and was nominated for the United States Senate in Arkansas in the1998 election, losing to Democratic CongresswomanBlanche Lincoln 55% to 42%.[84] Despite his defeat, Fay was nominated to be director of the Arkansas Health Department in 1999.[85] Fay died in an accident on his farm in 2005, aged 58.[85]
As of 2017, according to OpenSecrets.org, Boozman's net worth was more than $2.3 million.[86]
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| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromArkansas's 3rd congressional district 2001–2011 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forU.S. senator fromArkansas (Class 3) 2010,2016,2022 | Most recent |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | United States senator (Class 3) from Arkansas 2011–present Served alongside:Mark Pryor,Tom Cotton | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Ranking Member of theSenate Agriculture Committee 2021–2025 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theSenate Agriculture Committee 2025–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | Order of precedence of the United States as United States Senator | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | United States senators by seniority 28th | Succeeded by |
Statewide elected officials and legislative leaders ofArkansas | ||
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