Arkansas — 4th District

James Russell

Supports raising wages and progressive taxation

Russell focuses on economic fairness for working-class families through raising the minimum wage and ensuring equal pay for equal work. He advocates for closing corporate tax loopholes and making the super-rich pay their fair share.

• Advocates for raising the minimum wage to match the rising cost of living
• Supports equal pay for equal work and strengthening collective bargaining rights
• Proposes closing tax loopholes for corporations and taxing the top 0.1%

“We need fair laws that raise wages, make sure everyone gets equal pay for equal work, and treat all workers fairly.”

Bruce Westerman

Supports tax cuts and deregulation

Westerman advocates for lower taxes and rolling back federal regulations to stimulate economic growth and job creation. He signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and supported major federal tax cut legislation.

• Supported historic tax cuts to keep money with taxpayers and small businesses
• Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge with Americans for Tax Reform
• Voted for the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 and One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)

“In order to create jobs and grow prosperity, we must keep taxes lower, so that individuals can invest into their small businesses and families can make ends meet.”

James Russell

Supports expanding Medicare towards universal coverage

Russell advocates for expanding Medicare to transition toward universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. He aims to reduce healthcare costs and ensure medical expenses do not cause financial distress.

• Supports expanding Medicare to move toward healthcare for everyone
• Advocates for lowering prescription drug costs and out-of-pocket expenses
• Seeks to decouple health insurance access from employment status

“We can fix this by expanding Medicare and moving toward healthcare for everyone.”

Bruce Westerman

Supports market-based healthcare reform

Westerman introduced the Fair Care Act to lower healthcare costs and expand coverage through market competition and innovation. His proposal maintains coverage for pre-existing conditions while reforming private and public insurance.

• Introduced the Fair Care Act to increase provider competition and lower prescription drug costs
• Focuses on private and public insurance reform while protecting pre-existing conditions
• Opposes government-run healthcare systems that increase federal spending

“The goal of the Fair Care Act is simple; cover more Americans and lower the costs they pay for healthcare both through their private plans and the public health insurance they fund through their tax dollars.”

James Russell

Supports clean energy and environmental protection

Russell focuses on protecting natural resources from industrial chemical pollution and runoff to safeguard public health and boost ecotourism in Arkansas. He calls for investments in multi-faceted clean energy initiatives.

• Proposes protecting natural resources from toxic industrial runoff and chemical contamination
• Advocates investing in a multi-source clean energy infrastructure
• Promotes eco-tourism and environmental stewardship in Arkansas

“To achieve this, we must protect our natural resources from toxic industrial runoff and harmful chemical use.”

Bruce Westerman

Supports science-based forest management

As a professional forester, Westerman emphasizes active, science-based management of national forests to promote environmental health and prevent wildfires. He introduced the Resilient Federal Forests Act and advocates for balanced resource stewardship.

• Introduced the Resilient Federal Forests Act to reform forestry management nationwide
• Promotes science-based forest management to ensure clean air and water
• Serves as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee

“Taking care of our forests should never be a partisan issue.”

James Russell

Supports Second Amendment with gun safety reforms

Russell emphasizes his personal support for Second Amendment rights and responsible firearm ownership. At the same time, he advocates for common-sense gun safety reforms.

• Supports Second Amendment rights and responsible firearm ownership
• Recognized by Moms Demand Action for supporting common-sense gun safety reforms

“I am committed to preserving our 2nd Amendment rights while fighting for common sense reform.”

Bruce Westerman

Opposes federal gun control restrictions

Westerman consistently opposes federal legislation restricting firearm ownership or banning specific types of weapons. His voting record aligns with conservative Second Amendment positions.

• Voted against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 in the U.S. House
• Opposes federal restrictions on gun ownership and firearm sales

James Russell

Supports anti-corruption and campaign finance reform

Russell emphasizes reducing the influence of wealth and corporate interest groups in politics. He refused corporate PAC funds from groups like AIPAC and signed pledges supporting government accountability.

• Signed campaign finance pledges including End Citizens United and The American People's Compact
• Pledged to reject funds from AIPAC and corporate influence groups
• Advocates for restoring accountability and holding accessible town hall meetings

“We need to give power back to regular people—not let billionaires and big corporations run everything.”

Bruce Westerman

Supports stricter voter proof and court limitations

Westerman supported federal legislation requiring documentary proof of citizenship for election registration. He also voted to limit federal district court injunction powers and opposed broad election rule changes in the For the People Act.

• Voted for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act requiring proof of citizenship to register
• Voted for the No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA) to restrict nationwide federal court injunctions
• Voted against the For the People Act of 2021

James Russell

Supports bodily autonomy and equal rights

Russell champions bodily autonomy and anti-discrimination protections for all individuals regardless of gender, income, or background. He calls for legal protections guaranteeing fair pay and equal treatment under the law.

• Explicitly supports protecting bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom
• Advocates for anti-discrimination protections across gender, income, and background
• Supports equal pay for equal work legislation

“That means fair pay, equal rights, bodily autonomy, and protecting people from hate, while still respecting free speech.”

Bruce Westerman

Opposes abortion and supports single-sex sports

Westerman opposes abortion rights, publicly criticizing executive policies regarding reproductive freedom. He also supported legislation restricting participation in female school sports based on biological sex.

• Publicly criticized federal policies for lacking respect for the sanctity of human life
• Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025

“It’s crystal clear that the Biden Administration has no respect for the sanctity of human life.”

James Russell

Supports corporate restrictions and wealth tax for housing

Russell proposes policies to curb corporate acquisition of single-family homes and lower rent costs. He advocates for counting rent history toward mortgage applications and funding homelessness initiatives via a tax on the top 0.1%.

• Proposes restricting large corporations from buying residential homes to raise rent
• Advocates counting rental payment history in mortgage qualification assessments
• Supports a small wealth tax on the top 0.1% to fund efforts to end homelessness

“We need to stop big companies from buying up homes and raising rent too high.”