John Boozman (R-Ark.)

Boozman voted for the $700-billion Troubled Asset Relief Program in fall 2008, saying it was necessary to stave off the collapse of the financial system. "I don't believe there is anything conservative about letting the whole financial sector disintegrate," Boozman said at an April 2010 debate.

In December 2009, Boozman said he was ambivalent about President Barack Obama's war strategy for Afghanistan. Boozman said he was hopeful about increasing troops in the region, but said he was "concerned about arbitrary and public timelines."

As a member of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, Boozman broke with President George W. Bush's plan to give illegal immigrants amnesty. In addition to opposing amnesty, Boozman has supported strengthening border protections and employee verification systems. While in the House, he introduced legislation seeking to make English the official language.

Taxes and Spending

Though he has on multiple occasions sponsored a bill to replace the federal income tax with a 23 percent national sales tax, known as the Fair Tax, Boozman said he doesn't endorse the plan but supports reviewing it as an option for tax reform.

Boozman opposed the $787-billion stimulus bill in February 2009, criticizing it for a lack of infrastructure spending and focusing on temporary jobs. "Too many stimulus dollars were allocated to other types of frivolous spending while too few dollars were devoted to infrastructure projects that not only produce jobs, but also lasting public benefits," he told a House Transportation and Infrastructe subcommittee in July 2010.

Boozman has said he doesn't support privatizing Social Security. He has supported plans that would give people the option to invest Social Security taxes in private funds.

Veterans' Issues

In the House, Boozman's most significant legislative achievements came as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

In May 2008, the House passed two Boozman authored bills. One would have authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs to advertise veterans' benefits on television and radio. Another bill would have established a 20-year study on the department's vocational rehabilitation and education programs.

Health-Care Reform

After the health-care reform bill was enacted in March 2010, Boozman signed a pledge to repeal the bill, also asking Arkansas' attorney general to join lawsuits challenging the legislation.

Prior to the House's passage of the bill, Boozman advocated for starting "from scratch," acknowledging parts of the Democrats' policies could be adopted in a bipartisan matter if put to a piecemeal vote.

He decided to hold 12 healthcare town halls across the state.

He also advocated for policies consistent with the Republican agenda, including tort reform and allowing small businesses to form insurance pools.

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