Steve Womack

Stephen Allen Womack /ˈwoʊˌmæk/ (born February 18, 1957) is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Arkansas's 3rd congressional district since 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. Prior to his election to Congress, Womack was mayor of Rogers, Arkansas.

Womack was born in Russellville, Arkansas, the son of Elisabeth F. (Canerday) and James Kermit Womack. He spent most of his childhood in Moberly, Missouri but moved back to Russellville at the age of 16 and graduated from Russellville High School in 1975.He graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 1979.Shortly afterward, he enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard.He served for 30 years, retiring in 2009 as a colonel.Womack's father founded KURM-AM in 1979, and Womack served as station manager from 1979 to 1990.He then served as executive officer of the Army ROTC program at the University of Arkansas from 1990 to 1996, then joined Merrill Lynch as a financial consultant.

In 1998, Womack was elected mayor of Rogers, the ninth largest city of Arkansas. He served for twelve years as the city's mayor. During his time as mayor, Womack sought to crack down on illegal immigration by assigning two Immigration and Naturalization Service agents to the Rogers Police Department. As a result, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed a class-action suit against the city'spolice force for racial profiling.

In 2002 and 2006 Womack won re-election unopposed.

Elections

2010

In late 2009, Womack jumped into the race for the 3rd District after incumbent Republican John Boozman gave it up to run for the United States Senate. The 3rd is one of the most Republican districts in the South and the nation (Republicans have held it since 1967), and it was generally believed whoever won the Republican primary would be the district's next congressman.He ranked first in the seven-candidate primary with 31% of the vote, failing to reach the 50% threshold. In the June runoff, he defeated State Senator and fellow Rogers resident Cecile Bledsoe 52%-48%.

In the general election, Womack defeated Democratic nominee David Whitaker, 72%-28%.

2012

Womack was originally set to face veteran Ken Aden in his re-election bid.However, on July 8, Aden withdrew from the race after admitting to exaggerating his military record.As it was too late to select a replacement candidate for Aden (under Arkansas law, the Democratic Party could only name a replacement at that late date if the original candidate died, moved out of the district or opted to seek another office), Womack faced no major-party opposition in November. He won re-election to a second term with 76% of the vote.

Tenure

In 2011, Womack filed an amendment to a spending bill in an attempt to defund Barack Obama's teleprompter.

On February 14, 2013, Womack sponsored H.R. 684, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013, a bill that would allow states to charge and collect sales taxes on internet purchases.Supporters say the bill will create a "level playing field" between online retailers and brick and mortar retailers, while opponents argue that the bill would increase the power of the states, threaten consumer privacy, increase taxes, and hurt small businesses.

In 2010 Womack signed a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity promising to vote against any global warming legislation that would raise taxes.

Womack was a member of the House Appropriations Committee when in 2014 lawmakers inserted a prohibition into an appropriations bill that would prevent USDA staff from working on finishing regulations related to the meat industry.

In a 2015 episode of his show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, John Oliver criticized Womack for blocking the enforcement of laws proposed by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration that would have protected chicken farmers from being threatened or punished by the companies they work for if they spoke out regarding their farming experiences.

In December 2017, Womack voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Womack supports cutting taxes and making the tax filing process easier. He believes that the act will let people "keep more of their paycheck, creates jobs and increases wages by making American businesses competitive again, and simplifies a code that has become riddled with loopholes."

Committee assignments

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
  • United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

Caucus memberships

• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
• Republican Study Committee

In the wake of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Womack tweeted "Praying for the victims, their families, and all involved in the horrible tragedy in Orlando #prayfororlando."

In 2016, Womack had a "D" rating from marijuana legalization advocacy group NORML regarding his voting record on cannabis-related matters.

Womack attends Cross Church Pinnacle Hills, a Southern Baptist church in Rogers, Arkansas.

Womack's son, James Phillip Womack, was sentenced to nine years in prison on felony gun and drug charges in April 2019.