WeVote
Log In

Officials

John Boozman

John Boozman

US Senator · Statewide

202-224-4843 boozman.senate.gov
248 Bills
268 Votes
0 Answered

Biography

John Boozman, born on December 10, 1950, in Shreveport, Louisiana, is a Republican politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Arkansas since 2011. Raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, he co-founded a private optometry clinic in 1977, providing eye care services to Northwest Arkansas. Boozman has been a consistent advocate for veterans, agriculture, and economic policies supporting small businesses. He is married to Cathy Marley, and they have three daughters and four grandchildren.

Education and Political Experience

  • Education:

    • Attended the University of Arkansas, where he played football for the Razorbacks.
    • Graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in 1977.

  • Political Experience:

    • Served two terms on the Rogers Public School Board.
    • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2001, representing Arkansas's 3rd district until 2011.
    • Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010; re-elected in 2016 and 2022.
    • Served as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
    • Member of the Senate Committees on Appropriations; Environment and Public Works; and Veterans' Affairs.

Notable Achievements

  • Honored with the Bill Emerson and Mickey Leland Hunger Leadership Award for leading legislation to modernize USDA summer meal programs, ensuring children have access to nutritious meals during the summer.
  • Named Legislator of the Year by the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police in 2016 for his support of the law enforcement community.
  • Recognized by the National Association of State Veterans Homes with the 2024 Legislator of the Year Award for his advocacy of state veterans' homes.

Boozman's extensive experience in healthcare, education, and public service underscores his commitment to addressing the needs of Arkansans and the nation.

Committees

20 assignments
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics and Research ex officio
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Livestock, Dairy, Poultry and Food Safety ex officio
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Rural Development, Energy and Credit ex officio
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry chair
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Commodities, Derivatives, Risk Management and Trade ex officio
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources and Biotechnology ex officio
Appropriations member
Appropriations Committee Defense member
Appropriations Committee Financial Services and General Government member
Appropriations Committee Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies member
Appropriations Committee Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies chair
Appropriations Committee State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs member
Appropriations Committee Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies member
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe member
Environment and Public Works member
Environment and Public Works Committee Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Innovation and Safety member
Environment and Public Works Committee Fisheries, Water and Wildlife member
Environment and Public Works Committee Transportation and Infrastructure member
Rules and Administration member
Veterans' Affairs member

At a glance

Office
US Senator
District
Statewide
Born
December 10, 1950 (75 years old)
Mailing
555 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510