SEN. CHARLES BECKHAM – Platform Hero Series
Senator Charles Beckham (R-McNeil) is serving his first term in the Arkansas Senate. He is known as a conservative who keeps his promises. We call him a “Platform Hero” because of his outstanding record of voting with the principles and platform of the Republican Party of Arkansas.
First we look at highlights from his voting record and then we show how well he scored based on the Economic Freedom Filter of Conduit For Commerce.
VOTING RECORD HIGHLIGHTS
Abortion / Pro-Life
- Voted to ban all abortions in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother – SB6 of 2021
- Voted for informed consent process for chemical abortions – HB1572 of 2021
- Voted to prohibit government schools from entering into transactions with abortion providers – HB1592 of 2021
- Voted to require any clinic that performs an abortion to be licensed as an abortion facility and prohibits hospitals to perform an abortion except to save the life of the mother – SB388 of 2021
- Voted to increase inspections at abortion facilities and require abortionists to report crimes for when a woman is a victim of rape or incest – SB463 of 2021
Protecting Our Rights
- Voted to protect churches and religious groups from being forced to shut down by the government during an emergency government order and recognizes them as essential – HB1211 of 2021
- Voted to protect the constitution against federal overreach – SB298 of 2021
- Voted to protect the rights of conscience for healthcare workers – SB289 of 2021
- Voted to allow a constitutional amendment to protect a person’s religious freedom – SJR14 of 2021
Children
- Voted to prevent chemical castration and sex changes of minor children – HB1570 of 2021
Fairness in Sports
- Voted to protect women’s sports to ban boys from playing against girls – SB354 of 2021
COVID
- Voted to prohibit vaccine mandates in Arkansas – SB615 of 2021
- Voted for legislative oversight over emergency declarations – SB379 of 2021
- Voted to return COVID19 fees to Arkansas businesses – SB301 of 2021
- Voted to allow patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar facilities to be allowed visitors during a pandemic or similar emergency – HB1061 of 2021
Taxes
- Voted for income tax cuts – SB1 of 2021 (2nd Special Session)
- Voted for reduced sales tax on used cars – HB1912 of 2021
Education
- Voted for school choice scholarships for children – SB680 of 2021
Elections
- Voted for election integrity in provisional ballots – HB1112 of 2021
- Voted for special election reform to prevent tax increases at special elections – HB1368 of 2021
- Voted against electronic voter registration which would likely increase voter fraud – HB1517 and SB701 of 2021
Privacy
- Voted to protect private information of nonprofit organizations – SB535 of 2021
Deregulation
- Voted for waiving of license, permit, and filing fees for new businesses – SB153 of 2021
- Voted for work from home freedom – HB1416 of 2021
- Voted against new regulations and fees on ride sharing apps at airports – SB686 of 2021
- Voted for expanded telemedicine use – HB1068 of 2021
- Voted for expansion of telemedicine to phone calls – HB1063 of 2021
- Voted for full practice authority for nurse midwives – HB1215 of 2021
- Voted for APRNs as primary care provider in Medicaid – HB1254 of 2021
- Voted to amend supervision requirements for nurse anesthetists – HB1198 of 2021
Other Important Legislation
- Voted to prohibit an economic development office in communist China – SB252 of 2021
- Voted for welfare program integrity – SB295 of 2021
- Voted to promote working for food stamps recipients – HB1512 of 2021
- Voted to prohibit fraud in unemployment insurance – HB1765 of 2021
ECONOMIC FREEDOM FILTER OF CONDUIT FOR COMMERCE
Conduit for Commerce scores the votes of legislators based on Conduit’s Economic Freedom Filter. The Economic Freedom Filter analyzes bills that do the following:
- Increase or decrease the size and scope of government
- Increase or decrease dependency on government
- Spend money we do not have
- Increase or decrease transparency in government
| Charles Beckham Voting Record – Conduit for Commerce Scorecard History | |||
| Session | Score | Rank | Awards |
| 2021 | 84% | 4/35 | Conduit for Commerce Calvin Coolidge Hero of Freedom Award Winner |
To read and download the Arkansas Legislative Scorecard 2021, CLICK HERE.
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
The Republican primary is May 24, 2022, and early voting begins May 9.
