Stephen Allen Womack is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he was Mayor of Rogers, Arkansas prior to his congressional tenure.
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, 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, 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, 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
*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
Political positions
In the wake of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Womack offered thoughts and prayers via social media. In 2016, Womack had a "D" rating from marijuana legalization advocacy group NORML regarding his voting record on cannabis-related matters.
Personal life
Womack attends Cross Church Pinnacle Hills, a Southern Baptistchurch 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.
