Rick Crawford (politician)

2010

Crawford chose to run for Arkansas' 1st congressional district after Democratic U.S. Representative Marion Berry decided to retire. Crawford received the endorsements of Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, former federal official Asa Hutchinson, and former U.S. Representative Ed Bethune of Arkansas' 2nd congressional district.[6] He won the Republican primary, defeating Princella Smith 72 to 28 percent.[7] He won the general election, defeating Berry's chief of staff Chad Causey 52 to 43 percent.[8]

2012

Crawford won re-election to a second term by defeating Democratic prosecutor, Scott Ellington, 56 to 39 percent.[9]

2014

Crawford won re-election to a third term, defeating Heber Springs Mayor Jackie McPherson 63 to 33 percent.[10]

2016

Crawford won re-election to a fourth term, defeating Libertarian candidate Mark West 76 to 24 percent.[11]

2018

Crawford won re-election to a fifth term, defeating Democratic candidate Chinton Desai 70 to 29 percent.[11]

2020

Crawford was re-elected. He ran unopposed.[12]

On January 5, 2011, Crawford was sworn into office as a member of the 112th Congress. He is the first Republican to represent his district in Washington since Reconstruction. The last Republican to represent the district was Asa Hodges who vacated the seat on March 3, 1875, during Reconstruction.[13] Crawford is a member of the Republican Study Committee.[14]

Crawford voted to repeal U.S. President Barack H. Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and to return federal non-security spending to fiscal year 2008 levels. He also voted to terminate taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions.[15]

In 2010, Crawford signed a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity to vote against any global warming legislation that would raise taxes.[16]

Crawford supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order to impose a ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, saying that the order was "designed to keep our nation safer" although "Green card holders and aides of the U.S. military should be allowed entry."[17]

Crawford voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, supporting tax reform.[18] He believes that the bill will make it easier for people to file their taxes and that "the vast majority of middle-income families in my district will get to keep more of their money to use as they wish." He also believes that local businesses will hire more and provide pay raises to current employers in the wake of the bill's implementation.[19]

In 2019, Crawford received a death threat from James Powell, 43 and a resident of Arkansas. Powell was charged "first-degree terroristic threatening" following an investigation by U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI. The charge carries a maximum six-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine.[20][21]

On January 18, 2013, Crawford introduced the Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act (H.R. 311; 113th Congress) into the House.[22] The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modify the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule, which regulates oil discharges into navigable waters and adjoining shorelines.[23] The rule requires certain farmers to develop an oil spill prevention plan that is certified by a professional engineer and may require them to make infrastructure changes.[23] According to supporters, this bill would "ease the burden placed on farmers and ranchers" by making it easier for smaller farms to self-certify and raising the level of storage capacity under which farms are exempted.[24]

Congressman Crawford questions Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in 2013.

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit
  • Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
• Republican Study Committee

On Nov 8th, Rep Rick Crawford announced he would temporarily resign from his seat on the House Intelligence Committee. Taking his place is Rep Jim Jordan. This move is to allow Jim Jordan to take lead on President Donald Trump's public impeachment hearings. Crawford indicated he would be reinstated back to his position once the "impeachment hoax" has concluded.[25]

Crawford is pro-life. He opposes federal funds being used in health plans to cover abortion and supports abortion only to be used in case of rape, incest or if the mother's life is threatened.[26]

During his 2010 campaign, Crawford said that the national debt was the "single greatest threat facing the United States." He voted in support of amending the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to eliminate the Home Affordable Modification Program.[27]

LGBTQ

Crawford opposed the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling legalizing same-sex marriage and believes that it should have been decided state-by-state, not by the Supreme Court.[28] He co-sponsored the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act which would prohibit the federal government from acting against anti-same-sex marriage opinions.[29]

Women

Crawford opposed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013.[29]

Crawford has a 0% rating from the UFCW for his pro-management voting record.[30]

Crawford supports the death penalty. As of 2014, he has a 62% rating from the National Association of Police Organizations for his stance on police-related issues.[31]

Crawford supports school prayer. He opposes Common Core State Standards.[32]

Crawford supports oil drilling on the outer continental shelf. He opposes the Environmental Protection Agency regulating greenhouse gases.[33]

Crawford co-sponsored the Sensible Environmental Protection Act. The act would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and Clean Water Act to allow for legal pesticide runoff in lakes and streams without permitting. He also co-sponsored the Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act, allowing for forest road runoff without permitting.[34]

Animal welfare

Crawford co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act (PUPS), which would regulate dog breeders to 50 dogs per kennel.[34]

Crawford signed the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act 2010, which he also co-sponsored.[35]

Crawford opposes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulating farms and ranches. He signed the No Pork Pledge from Citizens Against Government Waste. He co-sponsored the STOCK Act. He opposes using government funds for paying for art considered "offensive."[36]

Crawford is pro-gun rights and opposes restrictions related to the Second Amendment.[37]

Crawford supports efforts to repeal Obamacare. He supported The Path to Prosperity.[38]

Crawford supported extending the Patriot Act's roving wiretaps policy. He opposes the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.[39]

Crawford opposes illegal aliens having access to in-state college tuition discounts.[40]

As of 2012, Crawford has a 92% rating from the Competitive Enterprise Institute for his pro-workplace choice voting record.[41]

Crawford voted in support of eliminating federal funding for National Public Radio.[42]

As of 2013, Crawford has a 10% rating from the Alliance for Retired Americans for his support for privatization.[43]

Crawford signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. He opposes tax increases and supports the elimination of the inheritance tax.[44]

Crawford opposed the impeachment of Donald Trump. He calls the impeachment a "shampeachment".[45]

In December 2020, Crawford was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden prevailed[46] over incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of the election held by another state.[47][48][49]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion." Additionally, Pelosi reprimanded Crawford and the other House members who supported the lawsuit: "The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House. Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution, they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions."[50][51] New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell, citing section three of the 14th Amendment, called for Pelosi to not seat Crawford and the other Republicans who signed the brief supporting the suit. Pascrell argued that "the text of the 14th Amendment expressly forbids Members of Congress from engaging in rebellion against the United States. Trying to overturn a democratic election and install a dictator seems like a pretty clear example of that."[52]

Crawford voted in support of banning armed forces in Libya without Congressional approval in 2011. That same year, he opposed efforts to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan and supported sanctions against Iran in the Iran Threat Reduction Act.[53]

Crawford supports laws requiring welfare recipients to work.[54]