French Hill

James French Hill (born December 5, 1956) is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district since 2015. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Early life and education Hill was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. His father, Jay F. Hill ran a Little Rock-based financial firm that he inherited from his father, James "Jay" Wilson Hill. As a teenager, French Hill worked in the family financial firm during the summer months. He attended the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, where he earned a certified corporate director designation.

Early political career From 1982 to 1984, Hill was an aide to Republican Senator John Tower. Hill founded and was CEO and chairman of the Board Delta Trust and Banking Corporation in Little Rock until its acquisition by Simmons Bank in 2014.

U.S. House of Representatives Elections

2014

Hill ran for the 2nd district U.S. House seat after fellow Republican Tim Griffin decided instead to run for lieutenant governor. Hill defeated Democratic nominee Pat Hays, the mayor of North Little Rock, 52 to 44 percent.

2016

Hill was renominated in the Republican primary over Brock Olree of Searcy (White County) and was reelected with 58% of the vote against the Democratic nominee, former Little Rock School District Board President Dianne Curry, and Libertarian nominee Chris Hayes of North Little Rock.

2018

In 2017, Arkansas's 2nd district was included on the initial list of Republican-held seats targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018. In the November general election, Hill defeated Democratic nominee Clarke Tucker with 52.1% of the vote to Tucker's 45.8%. Libertarian Joe Swafford received 2%.

2020

Hill ran for another term. Sarah Huckabee Sanders endorsed Hill, speaking at a rally in support of him.

In 2020, the Hill campaign warned that Democratic nominee Joyce Elliott was "as dangerous as they come".

2022

Hill ran for reelection in 2022 and beat his Democratic opponent Quintessa Hathaway, winning with 60.0% of the vote.

2024

Hill ran for a sixth term in 2024, defeating his Democratic opponent Marcus Jones with 58.9% of the vote to Jones's 41.1%.

Tenure Hill has been a member of the U.S. House during the presidencies of Barack Obama, Donald Trump (first term), Joe Biden, and Donald Trump (second term). During Trump's presidency, Hill voted in line with the president's position 96.8% of the time. At the start of Biden's presidency, Hill opposed Biden's decision to cancel the Keystone Pipeline. He said he wanted to work with the Biden administration on policy issues including Iran, free trade, and immigration. As of October 2021, Hill had voted in line with Biden's stated position 12.5% of the time.

On May 4, 2017, Hill voted to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and pass the American Health Care Act. He voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

On April 17, 2020, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appointed Hill to the COVID-19 Congressional Oversight Commission to oversee the implementation of the CARES Act.

Hill praised the Trump administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March 2021, Hill voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

In 2020 and 2021, Hill strongly opposed plans by the United States and other nations in the G7 to issue a $650 billion Special Drawing Rights general allocation, calling for a specific and targeted allocation instead.

Hill strongly supported Biden's airstrikes on Iranian targets in Syria.

On May 19, 2021, Hill was one of 35 Republicans who joined all Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the January 6, 2021 commission meant to investigate the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

In 2025, Hill sponsored legislation to rescind a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule that set a cap for bank overdraft fees at $5.

In 2026, Hill supported the repeal of the Corporate Transparency Act’s requirements to disclose owners of shell companies.

Committee assignments For the 118th Congress: Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion (Chair) Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Subcommittee on National Intelligence Enterprise

Caucus memberships Congressional Arts Caucus Congressional Ukraine Caucus Republican Study Committee United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus U.S.-Japan Caucus Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans Congressional Coalition on Adoption United States–China Working Group

Political positions Abortion Hill describes himself as pro-life. He voted in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. He has a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee for his pro-life voting record. He supported the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, saying that it "elevates life by affirming that there is no constitutional right to an abortion."

Electoral history

Personal life Hill and his wife, Martha McKenzie, have two children. Hill resides in Little Rock.

In 2023, Hill’s public financial disclosures show net worth between $10.3 million and $25.7 million.