U.S. Senate, Arkansas
(Editor’s note: Libertarian Party nominee Ricky Harrington Jr. did not respond to invitations to participate. No Democratic nominee will appear on the ballot.)
1. What do you see as the most difficult challenge(s) facing Arkansas, and what solutions do you propose?
The biggest challenge Arkansas is facing is recovering from the coronavirus pandemic and getting our economy back to where it was before China unleashed this virus on the world.
We’ve made great progress and Arkansas’ unemployment rate is now below the national average. But we have more to do. That’s why I’m fighting to pass an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, to give enhanced unemployment benefits for those out of work through no fault of their own, and to bring our manufacturing back from China.
2. What are your legislative priorities for the next Congress?
The first thing we need to do is pass an extension of the coronavirus relief so we can get through this pandemic and help Arkansans who are unable to work or have been forced to close their businesses.
Another priority of mine is holding China accountable for unleashing this pandemic on the world. That includes bringing our manufacturing out of China and back to the United States. My Protecting our Pharmaceutical Supply Chain From China bill would create an incentive for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture their drugs in the United States. That would mean good-paying jobs and a more secure supply chain.
3. How do you propose to make affordable health care available to as many Americans as possible?
One of the best things we can do to make health care more affordable is to lower the cost of prescription drugs. More than one in four Arkansas seniors in rural areas have trouble complying with doctors’ orders because of the high cost of prescription drugs, and the cost of drugs has increased far faster than the rate of inflation.
I helped pass a provision that will speed up the pace of generic drugs coming to market. More generics means more competition which will lower prices for Arkansas seniors.
I also have legislation called the PACED Act to stop pharmaceutical companies from gaming the patent system to rip off seniors. My legislation has passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee and I hope to pass it next Congress.
4. What, if anything, should Congress do to address the concerns of the Black Lives Matter movement?
The best thing we can do to get at the underlying causes of the social unrest is to support the police, promote law and order and safe communities, and make sure that our law enforcement officers are getting the resources and training they need to keep Americans safe while acting responsibly.
5. What, if anything, would you change about U.S. Foreign policy?
President Trump has done an outstanding job standing up to China after decades of China getting away with ripping off the United States, but there is much more to do. Our foreign policy should recognize that China is an adversary, not an ally. We need to strengthen our military, reduce our dependence on Chinese manufacturing, and support our allies in the Pacific who are facing a more aggressive and belligerent China.