Sign in Subscribe
Cable television broadcasting industry

Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton Criticizes Democrats for Funding Prisoners in Pandemic Relief Bill

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

CNN reported on Saturday that Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican, criticized Democrats for passing a pandemic relief bill that includes funding for prisoners. Cotton argued that the bill would send $1,400 stimulus checks to convicted murderers and rapists. However, Cotton's attack omitted a key fact: prisoners also received checks from pandemic relief bills signed by former President Donald Trump, which Cotton supported. Despite Cotton's claims, the Trump-era bills did not exclude prisoners, and the IRS ultimately allowed prisoners to access the funds. The current bill, signed by President Joe Biden, also includes funding for prisoners, despite Senate Republicans attempting to pass an amendment to deny prisoners the checks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prisoners were eligible to receive checks from both pandemic relief bills signed by former President Donald Trump, which Senator Tom Cotton supported.
  • The Trump-era bills did not exclude prisoners, and the IRS allowed prisoners to access the funds after a federal court ruled in their favor.
  • Despite Senator Cotton's claims, the current bill signed by President Joe Biden also includes funding for prisoners, and Senate Republicans attempted to pass an amendment to deny prisoners the checks.
  • Advocate groups argue that providing stimulus funds to incarcerated people helps protect the health and well-being of those behind bars and provides relief to their loved ones at home.
  • Many prisoners have had trouble accessing their money from the first and second relief bills, including issues with IRS-issued debit cards and court-ordered deductions.
  • Senator Cotton's press secretary noted that the IRS issued guidance saying prisoners were ineligible for checks from the first bill, but this guidance was not included in the bill itself.
  • The second bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed 92-6 by the Senate, with Senator Cotton voting in favor, did not contain any language prohibiting prisoners from receiving relief funding.

Statistics:

  • 96-0: The Senate vote on the CARES Act, the first pandemic relief bill signed by former President Trump, with Senator Cotton voting in favor.
  • 92-6: The Senate vote on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the second pandemic relief bill signed by former President Trump, with Senator Cotton voting in favor.
  • 50-49: The Senate vote on the American Rescue Plan Act, the current bill signed by President Joe Biden, which includes funding for prisoners, with all Democrats opposing and all Republicans present in favor.
  • $1,400: The maximum stimulus check amount included in the American Rescue Plan Act.
  • $600: The maximum stimulus check amount included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Sources:

  • CNN article by Daniel Dale on March 7, 2021
  • Prison Policy Initiative research and advocacy organization
  • University of Notre Dame associate clinical professor of law and director of the Notre Dame Tax Clinic, Patrick Thomas
  • CNN interview with Senator Tom Cotton's press secretary, James Arnold
  • Fox News appearance by Senator Tom Cotton on Monday morning
  • Senate vote on the American Rescue Plan Act, March 6, 2021
  • Senate vote on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, December 21, 2020
  • Senate vote on the CARES Act, March 18, 2020

Read more