Select from the links below for Senator Lincoln's views on current issues.

AGRICULTURE

As the daughter of a seventh generation Arkansas farm family, I know firsthand the problems and challenges facing Arkansas farmers and rural America. Arkansas is dependent on a healthy farm economy, and as the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I work tirelessly with my colleagues to create a reliable safety net for our farmers–who produce an affordable, safe, and abundant food and fiber supply–so that they can plan effectively for the future.

CHILD SAFETY

As a mother and co-founder of the Senate Caucus for Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children, I am constantly on guard about the safety of our children.  There are so many threats that exist in today’s world that parents must be more vigilant than ever.  I am proud to support child safety initiatives and programs to create awareness and encourage partnerships in the hope that our combined efforts will save the lives of our nation’s children.

 CRIME

I support giving our law enforcement officers, who put their lives at risk every day, the tools they need to keep our communities safe.  I also believe that the fight against crime starts in the home. Parents must take responsibility for their children and show them love and guidance from an early age so they learn to respect the rights of others. In addition, I believe schools need more resources to identify and provide counseling services to troubled youths. Stopping crime before it occurs is the most effective crime-fighting tool of all.

EDUCATION

Education is not just another social program; it’s a national investment in our most precious resource: our children.  The knowledge and training that we provide them today are the tools that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.  As we look down the road, the United States’ ability to lead responsibly in the world, to effectively confront emerging threats and to compete in the global economy will depend on providing all our children with a quality education.

ENERGY

Americans are in desperate need of relief from high prices at the pump.  Nowhere is that felt more than in our state and other rural states across the country.  Arkansas’s families are paying a higher share of their income towards gasoline than the national average.   Our reliance on foreign oil is not a sustainable strategy.  I am committed to examining all options that will lessen our dependence on foreign oil, including incentives for conservation technologies, as well as offshore drilling.  Most importantly, I believe our country should focus on a long-term investment strategy in renewable and alternative energy sources, which will pave a road to energy independence.

ENVIRONMENT 

Having been raised in a seventh generation farm family in Arkansas, I grew up with a love of nature and a great respect for the conservation of land and water resources.  I value our environment and want to find ways to best protect it for wildlife and for our enjoyment.

GUN RIGHTS

I support the rights of law-abiding American citizens to purchase and own firearms. I also favor placing a greater emphasis on enforcing existing gun laws to protect society from dangerous criminals and to deter others from committing acts of violence.

HEALTH CARE

A health care crisis is looming on the horizon.  Health care access and affordability are out of reach for too many hard-working Americans.  As a Member of the Senate Finance Committee, I am working with my colleagues to provide immediate relief for hard working Americans and find practical long-term solutions to our nation’s health care challenges.  True health care reform will require all sectors of our society–policymakers, businesses, and individuals–to work together to ensure a healthy future for all Americans.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Since the events of September 11, 2001, we have made significant strides to better protect our homeland.  At the federal, state, and local levels, we must facilitate the necessary coordination to ensure the highest level of protection and preparedness for our communities. In doing so, we must continue to bolster our border security and work to improve security on our most vital and targeted facilities, such as transportation systems and nuclear reactors.

IMMIGRATION

Our immigration system is broken.  Without a doubt, our top priority must be border security.  In addition, I believe it is to the detriment of taxpaying Americans if we don’t address the millions of illegal immigrants living in our communities in a practical and realistic way.  No reform proposal should grant amnesty.  Those who have broken the law – including employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants – must face proper recourse.

SENIORS    

As a member of the so-called “Sandwich Generation” who cares for children and aging parents simultaneously, I am keenly aware of many issues affecting older Americans and have been an advocate for them in the U.S. Senate for many years. Preserving the Medicare and Social Security systems is an important priority for me.  As “baby boomers” retire and Americans continue to live longer, Congress will need to act to ensure the long-term solvency of both programs.

TAXES

As a Member of the Senate Finance Committee, I am working to build a tax structure that is fair and equitable for all Americans and one that helps our working families. I believe the U.S. Tax Code is burdensome and unnecessarily complicated.  I favor shrinking the tax code to reduce the role of the Internal Revenue Service and improve taxpayer compliance. We must also return to fiscal responsibility and get back on track with the important task of paying down our national debt.

TRADE

I have worked to ensure that Arkansas's farmers, ranchers and manufacturers not only have a seat at the negotiating table because I have seen it improve the lives of our citizens and communities.  However, I also understand its shortcomings and difficulties.  No doubt, most Arkansans would agree that trade agreements are not perfect and more vigilance is necessary to ensure a more level playing field for our nation’s businesses and workers.

VETERANS

I have the highest respect for the men and women who have served our nation in uniform, and I have worked in Congress to improve the quality of benefits and services provided for them and their families.  My father fought in Korea and I was raised from an early age to have tremendous respect for the unselfish service of the men and women of the Armed Services.  Ensuring that the sacrifices of Arkansans who fought to defend our freedoms is appropriately recognized in the policies set in Washington is among my highest priorities.