Compare Candidates

Bruce Westerman introduced The Fair Care Act of 2024, a comprehensive healthcare reform plan aimed at lowering costs, decreasing the number of uninsured, protecting individuals with preexisting conditions, and expanding coverage options.

James Russell advocates for expanding Medicare and moving towards healthcare for everyone to lower costs, improve care, and ensure fewer people fall through the cracks. He notes that Americans pay more for healthcare with worse results and that job-provided insurance is often expensive and insufficient.

Bruce Westerman supports reducing regulations, lowering taxes, and fiscal responsibility to promote economic growth, citing his involvement in rolling back Obama-era regulations and supporting historic tax cuts. He believes these actions lead to job creation, increased median household income, and allow individuals to invest in small businesses.

James Russell advocates for economic fairness by raising wages, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and making taxes fairer by having the wealthy pay their share. He also supports addressing the housing crisis by preventing large corporations from driving up rent, making homeownership more accessible, and taxing the super-rich to help end homelessness.

Bruce Westerman believes that technology, rather than limitations on fossil fuel production, is the best way to address climate change. He advocates for increased mining of critical minerals for electric vehicles and other energy transition tools, but also states that the potential of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions is overstated.

James Russell advocates for protecting Arkansas' natural resources from toxic industrial runoff and harmful chemical use. He supports investing in a clean energy future that utilizes multiple sources.

Bruce Westerman is pro-life and supports legislation to halt taxpayer funding for abortions. He believes that life is a right and abortion is not, and he was ecstatic about the reversal of Roe v. Wade, stating that the issue of abortion should be returned to the states.

James Russell supports bodily autonomy and advocates for strong laws to ensure equal treatment for everyone, including protecting people's bodily autonomy. He is pro-choice.

Bruce Westerman supports strengthening immigration laws, including H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, and H.R. 3004, Kate's Law. He believes in stopping cities from harboring undocumented immigrants and imposing enhanced criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records who re-enter the United States.

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Bruce Westerman supports the Second Amendment and has worked to eliminate federal taxes on firearm silencers. He also opposes banning lead ammunition.

James Russell is identified as a 'Gun Sense Candidate' by Gun Sense Voter, an organization dedicated to electing candidates who will implement better gun laws to reduce gun violence.

Bruce Westerman has consistently voted for sanctions against countries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea. He has also been critical of the Iran Nuclear Deal and has supported legislation to strengthen oversight of Iran's access to finance.

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Bruce Westerman opposes the Equality Act, stating that while all people should be treated with respect and dignity, the Act infringes on First Amendment rights and the rights of others by redefining "sex" to include sexual orientation and gender identity, potentially impacting women's shelters, abortion access, and women's sports.

James Russell believes in equal rights and opportunities for all, advocating for strong laws that treat everyone equally regardless of gender, income, or background. This includes fair pay, equal rights, bodily autonomy, and protecting people from hate while respecting free speech.

Bruce Westerman believes education is integral to the nation's future and emphasizes the importance of civics, history, and the pillars of government. He introduced the Focus on Learning Act, requiring a study on the effects of cell phone use on K-12 students' mental health and academic performance.

James Russell believes that learning is essential for a free and strong country. He advocates for ensuring everyone has access to a good, free education, including college or job training, to equip people with the skills needed for future jobs and to discern facts from misinformation.

Bruce Westerman supports legislation to protect children online from the dangers of social media and AI, advocating for holding Big Tech companies accountable and empowering parents. He introduced the Focus on Learning Act in 2024 to study the impact of cell phones in schools.

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Bruce Westerman supports election integrity measures, including requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. He believes that only American citizens should be allowed to vote and has co-sponsored and voted for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

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Bruce Westerman emphasizes working with local community leaders and has focused on reducing regulations, lowering taxes, and promoting environmental stewardship through science-based forest management, which he believes benefits local communities in Arkansas.

James Russell is focused on local issues, including healthcare access and traffic on major roadways. He also emphasizes protecting Arkansas' natural beauty and growing ecotourism.