Rick Crawford

In 2019, Crawford received a death threat from James Powell, 43 and a resident of Arkansas. Powell was charged “first-degree terroristic threatening” following an investigation by U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI. The charge carries a maximum six-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine.

Crawford supported President Donald Trump’s 2017 executive order to impose a ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, saying that the order was “designed to keep our nation safer” although “Green card holders and aides of the U.S. military should be allowed entry.”

Crawford voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, supporting tax reform. He believes that the bill will make it easier for people to file their taxes and that “the vast majority of middle-income families in my district will get to keep more of their money to use as they wish.” He also believes that local businesses will hire more and provide pay raises to current employers in the wake of the bill’s implementation.

Crawford supports the death penalty. As of 2014, he has a 62% rating from the National Association of Police Organizations for his stance on police-related issues.

On January 18, 2013, Crawford introduced the Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act (H.R. 311; 113th Congress) into the House. The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modify the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule, which regulates oil discharges into navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. The rule requires certain farmers to develop an oil spill prevention plan that is certified by a professional engineer and may require them to make infrastructure changes. According to supporters, this bill would “ease the burden placed on farmers and ranchers” by making it easier for smaller farms to self-certify and raising the level of storage capacity under which farms are exempted.

Crawford opposed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013.

As of 2013, Crawford has a 10% rating from the Alliance for Retired Americans for his support for privatization.

As of 2012, Crawford has a 92% rating from the Competitive Enterprise Institute for his pro-workplace choice voting record.

On January 5, 2011, Crawford was sworn into office as a member of the 112th Congress. He is the first Republican to represent his district in Washington since Reconstruction. The last Republican to represent the district was Asa Hodges who vacated the seat on March 3, 1875, during Reconstruction. Crawford is a member of the Republican Study Committee.

Crawford voted in support of banning armed forces in Libya without Congressional approval in 2011. That same year, he opposed efforts to remove US troops from Afghanistan and supported sanctions against Iran in the Iran Threat Reduction Act.

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

During his 2010 campaign, Crawford said that the national debt was the “single greatest threat facing the United States.” He voted in support of amending the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to eliminate the Home Affordable Modification Program.

Crawford signed the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act 2010, which he also co-sponsored.

Crawford voted to repeal U.S. President Barack H. Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and to return federal non-security spending to fiscal year 2008 levels. He also voted to terminate taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions.

Crawford was born at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida, the son of Ruth Anne and Donny J. “Don” Crawford. Crawford grew up in a military family; his father served in the United States Air Force. He graduated from Alvirne High School in Hudson, New Hampshire. Crawford enlisted in the United States Army and served as an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to the 56th Ordnance Detachment at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. He left the U.S. Army after four years service at the rank of Sergeant. After his service, Crawford attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and graduated in 1996 with a B.S. in Agriculture Business and Economics.

After an injury ended his rodeo career, Crawford turned to radio. During that time his also tried his hand at country music. In 1994 under Legacy, Inc. released an album titled Crackin’ Out. The album was recorded at Haage Studios in Kirbyville, MO. Crawford dedicated the project to that “dyin’ breed to called ‘Cowboy'”

Crawford chose to run for Arkansas’ 1st congressional district after Democratic U.S. Representative Marion Berry decided to retire. Crawford received the endorsements of Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, former federal official Asa Hutchinson, and former U.S. Representative Ed Bethune of Arkansas’ 2nd congressional district. He won the Republican primary, defeating Princella Smith 72 to 28 percent. He won the general election, defeating Berry’s chief of staff Chad Causey 52 to 43 percent.

Eric Alan “Rick” Crawford (born January 22, 1966) is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Arkansas’s 1st congressional district since 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before he was elected to Congress, Crawford was a radio announcer, businessman, and U.S. Army soldier.