parties ... needs to be shattered." In the same article, Karl Rove, a senior figure in the George W. Bush administration, said Cotton was a more consensual figure than someone like Bannon. In a CNN interview shortly after the 2016 presidential election, Cotton denied that waterboarding is a form of torture. He said "tough calls" such as allowing it were an option Trump was ready to take: "If experienced intelligence officials come to the President of the United States and say we think this terrorist has critical information and we need to obtain it and this is the only way we can obtain it—it's a tough call. But the presidency is a tough job. And if you're not ready to make those tough calls, you shouldn't seek the office. Donald Trump's a pretty tough guy, and he's ready to make those tough calls". During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump said the United States should resume the use of waterboarding. In September 2020, Trump shortlisted Cotton as a potential Supreme Court nominee, but ultimately chose Amy Coney Barrett instead. With less than two months to the next presidential election, Cotton supported an immediate Senate vote on Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death. In March 2016, Cotton refused to consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee during a presidential election year, providing his rationale with these questions: "Why would we cut off the national debate on the next justice? Why would we squelch the voice of the populace? Why would we deny the voters a chance to weigh in on the makeup of the Supreme Court?" In early January 2021, Cotton announced he would not support any attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election during the joint congressional certification of Electoral College results on January 6, 2021. Committee assignments Current United States Senate Committee on Armed Services United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland (Chair, 2015–2021) (Ranking Member, 2021–) United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities (2015–2017) United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel (2015–2017) United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower (2017–) United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces (2017–) United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary (2021–) Joint Economic Committee Previous United States Senate Special Committee on Aging (2015–2017) United States Senate Committee on Banking,