John Boozman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Boozman
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Official portrait, 2017
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| Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Debbie Stabenow |
| Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee | |
| In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Debbie Stabenow |
| Succeeded by | Amy Klobuchar |
| United States Senator from Arkansas |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2011 Serving with Tom Cotton
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| Preceded by | Blanche Lincoln |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 3rd district |
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| In office November 20, 2001 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Asa Hutchinson |
| Succeeded by | Steve Womack |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Nichols Boozman
December 10, 1950 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Cathy Marley
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Fay Boozman (brother) |
| Education | University of Arkansas Southern College of Optometry (OD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
John Nichols Boozman (born December 10, 1950) is an American politician. He used to be an optometrist, which is an eye doctor. He is currently a U.S. Senator for Arkansas. He has held this important job since 2011.
Before becoming a senator, he was a U.S. Representative for Arkansas from 2001 to 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. Since 2013, he has been the leader of Arkansas's group of lawmakers in Congress.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Boozman was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father was in the U.S. Air Force. John grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His older brother, Fay Boozman, was also a politician.
John went to Northside High School. He then played football for the Arkansas Razorbacks at the University of Arkansas. He studied there from 1969 to 1973. In 1977, he graduated from the Southern College of Optometry.
Starting an Eye Clinic
After college, John Boozman helped start an eye clinic in Rogers, Arkansas. It's called BoozmanHof Regional Eye Clinic. He also helped create a program for people with low vision at the Arkansas School for the Blind. He volunteered his time to help low-income families get eye care.
Serving on the School Board
Before he was elected to Congress, Boozman served on the Rogers Public School Board. This board helps manage one of Arkansas's biggest school districts.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
John Boozman was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2001. This happened in a special election. His predecessor, Asa Hutchinson, left to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration. Boozman won his elections easily in the following years.
Helping Lead the House
Starting in 2003, Boozman worked as an Assistant Whip for the Republican Party. A "whip" helps make sure that members of their party vote together on important laws.
Supporting Veterans
Boozman was the chairman of the Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. This group helps veterans have a smooth return to civilian life. He worked to pass laws that honored veterans and increased their benefits. In 2009, he introduced the Veterans Retraining Act. This law helps unemployed veterans get new skills and job training. He also helped pass bills that provide money to help disabled veterans change their homes and cars to fit their needs.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
In 2010, John Boozman ran for a seat in the United States Senate. He won against the Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln. He became only the second Republican from Arkansas to be elected to the U.S. Senate since the Reconstruction Era. He started his term in January 2011.
Re-elections and Leadership
Boozman was re-elected in 2016 and again in 2022. He became the first Republican from Arkansas to be popularly elected to a second term in the Senate. Since 2015, he has been the senior senator from Arkansas. This means he has served longer than the other senator from Arkansas.
Important Committees
Senator Boozman is a key member of several important Senate committees:
- He is the top Republican on the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. This committee deals with farming, food, and nutrition.
- He is also on the Committee on Appropriations. This committee decides how the government spends money. He is the top Republican on the subcommittee that handles money for military construction and veterans' affairs.
- He is a senior member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. This committee works on issues important to veterans.
Recent Activities
In 2024, Senator Boozman led a group of lawmakers to France. They went to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a very important event in World War II.
Political Views and Votes
John Boozman has strong views on many topics. He generally supports conservative ideas.
Health Care
Boozman voted against the Affordable Care Act in 2009. He believed the bill would do "more harm than good."
Gun Rights
Boozman supports gun rights. He has an "A" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund. In 2013, he voted against a bill that would have expanded background checks for all gun sales. He also voted against a proposal in 2016 to ban gun sales to suspected terrorists. He said it would take away Americans' right to a fair legal process.
Arkansas History
Boozman has worked to preserve Arkansas's history. He helped pass a law to study the historic Butterfield Overland Mail Trail. He also supported efforts to make Fort Smith, Arkansas the permanent home of the U.S. Marshals Museum. He also helped name several U.S. Post Offices in Arkansas after important people.
Environment
In 2017, Boozman was one of many senators who asked President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. This agreement aims to fight climate change. Boozman believes that strict environmental rules can hurt the U.S. economy. He supports an "all-of-the-above" approach to energy, which means using many different energy sources.
Personal Life
John Boozman lives in Rogers, Arkansas, with his wife, Cathy Marley Boozman. They have three daughters. He has raised Polled Hereford cattle, which are a type of cow. His family is also active in the 4-H program, which teaches young people skills in agriculture and leadership.
In 2014, Boozman had emergency heart surgery. He had a successful follow-up procedure in 2017.
His brother, Fay Boozman, was also an eye doctor and a politician. Fay served in the Arkansas Senate. He passed away in an accident in 2005.
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See also
In Spanish: John Boozman para niños
