Mark Pryor

Pryor was born on January 10, 1963, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to the future state First Lady Barbara Jean (Lunsford) and future Governor and U.S. Senator David Hampton Pryor, then a state representative.{{CongLinks | congbio=p000590 | votesmart=35 | fec=S0AR00028 | congress=mark-pryor/1701 }} He attended Little Rock Central High School until his father was elected to the United States Senate in 1979, after which he attended Walt Whitman High School in Maryland until graduating in 1981.{{cite web|url=http://lrcentralhigh.net/famousgrads/MarkPryor.html|title=Famous Central Graduates- Mark Pryor|work=lrcentralhigh.net|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323200644/http://lrcentralhigh.net/famousgrads/MarkPryor.html|archive-date=March 23, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/March-April-2010/Class-of-81/|title=Class of '81|work=bethesdamagazine.com|date=April 12, 2010}}

He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the university's law school in 1988. During college, he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Prior to entering politics, Pryor worked as a private practice attorney focusing on civil litigation.

He was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995.

In 1994, he ran for Arkansas Attorney General, challenging incumbent Winston Bryant in the Democratic primary. Pryor lost 58% to 42%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=261757|title=Our Campaigns - AR Attorney General - D Primary Race - May 24, 1994|work=ourcampaigns.com}} In 1998, he ran for the same position again and became the Democratic Party nominee. He defeated Republican nominee Betty Dicky, the Redfield City Attorney, 59% to 41%. He won all but four counties in the state: Benton, Boone, Marion, and Baxter.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=953|title=Our Campaigns - AR Attorney General Race - Nov 03, 1998|work=ourcampaigns.com}} He was also delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2000.

Pryor was recognized for providing a high level of constituent service, and he helped to secure millions of dollars in highway funds for the state. Pryor was also a committed advocate of the state’s military families; he guided the SACRIFICE Act to passage, thus providing families of those injured in combat more timely and reliable medical care.{{cite web|last1=Pruden|first1=William|title=Mark Lunsford Pryor (1963-)|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=4643|website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas|access-date=June 3, 2015}}

{{Main|2002 United States Senate election in Arkansas}}

In late 2001, Pryor announced his candidacy for the Senate seat held by Tim Hutchinson, who six years earlier had become the first Arkansas Republican to serve in that body since Reconstruction. The seat had been held by his father David Pryor (also a former Arkansas governor), who actively campaigned for his son. Pryor defeated Hutchinson 54% to 46% and was the only Democratic candidate for the Senate to defeat a Republican incumbent in that election cycle.

{{Main|2008 United States Senate election in Arkansas}}

Pryor won reelection in 2008 without a Republican opponent. There had been speculation that former Governor Mike Huckabee would run against Pryor if his presidential bid was unsuccessful, but on March 8, Huckabee said he would not contest the race.[http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080308%5cACQRTT200803082111RTTRADERUSEQUITY_0046.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=Huckabee%20Says%20He%20Won't%20Run%20Against%20Pryo] {{dead link|date=June 2015}} The only Republican to express interest in the race, health care executive Tom Formicola, decided not to run.{{cite web|url=http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=62041 |title=No GOP Opponent For Mark Pryor's Run For Second Term In U.S. Senate | thv11.com |publisher=Todaysthv.com |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=June 1, 2015}} Pryor's only announced opponent was Green Party candidate Rebekah Kennedy, whom he defeated 80% to 20%.

{{Main|2014 United States Senate election in Arkansas}}

Pryor ran for reelection to a third term in 2014, against Republican U.S. House Rep. Tom Cotton.

In March 2014, during an MSNBC news segment regarding the Senate race, Pryor said that Cotton gave off a "sense of entitlement" to a seat in the Senate due to his service in the military.{{cite web |last=Lauer |first=Claudia |date=March 6, 2014 |title=Pryor says Cotton exudes vet 'entitlement,' riling GOP |url=http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2014/mar/06/pryor-says-cotton-exudes-vet-entitlement--20140306/ |newspaper=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |access-date=June 6, 2014}} After receiving much criticism for the remark, Pryor later said he was not attacking Cotton’s military service, but his perceived lack of accomplishments in the House: "But the point remains that he's been in the House now for a little over a year, he hasn't passed any legislation. There's not one thing he's done for Arkansas."{{cite web |last=Joseph |first=Cameron |date=April 26, 2014 |title=Pryor explains 'sense of entitlement' comments |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/204442-pryor-explains-sense-of-entitlement-comments/ |newspaper=The Hill |access-date=June 6, 2014}}

FactCheck.org called two ads aired by Pryor's 2014 Senate campaign misleading in their criticisms of Paul Ryan's Medicare plan, supported by his opponent.{{cite news|last1=Robertson|first1=Lori|title=Fact check: Old Medicare claims in Ark. Senate race|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/02/25/fact-check-medicare-arkansas-senate/5804467/|access-date=August 16, 2014|publisher=USA Today|date=February 25, 2014}}

This race was originally thought out to be close, but Pryor lost in a landslide, 57% to 39%. This was the worst performance in the nation for any incumbent Senator since the defeat of then-fellow Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln in 2010.

Somewhat atypically, Pryor was the Baby of the Senate for 19 days in January 2009, at age 45, despite never having held that distinction in his first term. This was due to the defeat of the younger John E. Sununu, making Pryor the oldest member to ever be the youngest within the Senate until the appointment of Michael Bennet.

In June 2007, before the annual Arkansas Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson dinner, Pryor announced his endorsement of his colleague Sen. Hillary Clinton for president of the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2141 |title=Hillary for America |work=hillaryclinton.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127220045/http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2141 |archive-date=November 27, 2008 }}

In 2013, Pryor voted with President Obama 90% of the time.{{cite web|url=http://atr.rollcall.com/senate-democrats-supported-obama-on-overwhelming-number-of-votes-in-2013/|title=Senate Democrats Backed Obama On Overwhelming Number of 2013 Votes, CQ Roll Call Vote Studies Show|work=At the Races|access-date=June 1, 2015}}

Since 2009, Pryor's top three donors have been lawyers ($1,131,431), leadership PACs ($429,149), and lobbyists ($323,769).{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00013823&newMem=N |title=Sen. Mark Pryor: Campaign Finance/Money - Summary - Senator 2014 |publisher=OpenSecrets.org |access-date=June 1, 2015}}

Pryor introduced the Drought Information Act of 2013 (S. 376; 113th Congress) on February 25, 2013.{{cite web|title=S. 376 - All Actions|date=February 4, 2014|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/376/all-actions/|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=February 7, 2014}} The bill that would authorize funding for the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) through 2018.{{cite news|last=Cox|first=Ramsey|title=Senate passes bill funding drought information program|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/197331-senate-passes-bill-funding-drought-information-program/|access-date=February 7, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=February 3, 2014}} The NIDIS is "charged with providing timely information to prevent drought and extreme weather damage." The bill passed the United States Senate on February 3, 2014.

Pryor introduced the bill "To repeal section 403 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013" on January 27, 2014.{{cite web|title=S. 1963 - All Actions|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1963/all-actions/|publisher=United States Congression|access-date=February 11, 2014}} The bill would repeal the provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that would reduce the amount of the annual cost of living increase to non-disabled military veterans under age 62.{{cite news|title=Senate starts consideration of veterans' pension cuts|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/197990-senate-starts-consideration-of-veterans-pension-cuts/|access-date=February 11, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=February 10, 2014|author=Ramsey Cox|author2=Jeremy Herb}} The Congressional Budget Office estimated that enacting Pryor's bill would stop the reduction of $6.813 billion from the amount paid to veterans annually.{{cite web|title=S. 1963 - CBO|url=http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/S.%201963.pdf|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=February 11, 2014}}

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Chairman)
• Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on Defense
• Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation
• Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
• Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety (Chairman)
• Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion
• Subcommittee on Science and Space
• Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
• Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
• Subcommittee on Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and the District of Columbia
• Subcommittee on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce
• Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight
• Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Airland
• Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
• Subcommittee on Personnel
• Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on Rules and Administration
• Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Select Committee on Ethics

On February 13, 2009, Pryor voted to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.{{cite web |title=Roll Call Vote 111th Congress - 1st Session |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00061 |website=senate.gov |publisher=United States Senate |access-date=27 November 2019}}

On April 16, 2012, Pryor was the only Democratic senator to vote against the "Buffett Rule," which was defeated 51 voting in favor to 45 voting against cloture of the filibuster.{{cite news|title=Senate Fails to advance Buffett rule |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2012-04-16/senate-fails-to-pass-buffett-rule/54324786/1|author=Davis, Susan |date=April 16, 2012 |access-date=April 17, 2012 |work=USA Today}}{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=2&vote=00065 |title=U.S. Senate: Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=June 1, 2015}}

In April 2014, the United States Senate debated the Minimum Wage Fairness Act (S. 1737; 113th Congress). The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to increase the federal minimum wage for employees to $10.10 per hour over the course of a two-year period.{{cite web|title=S. 1737 - Summary|date=April 2, 2014|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1737|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=April 8, 2014}} The bill was strongly supported by President Barack Obama and many of the Democratic Senators, but strongly opposed by Republicans in the Senate and House.{{cite news|last=Sink|first=Justin|title=Obama: Congress has 'clear choice' on minimum wage|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/202475-obama-congress-has-clear-choice-on-minimum-wage/|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=April 2, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|title=Reid punts on minimum-wage hike|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/202964-reid-punts-on-minimum-wage-hike/|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=April 8, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|title=Centrist Republicans cool to minimum wage hike compromise|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/202641-centrist-republicans-cool-to-wage-compromise/|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=April 4, 2014}} Pryor opposed the bill. Pryor was up for election in 2014 and was at that time considered "the Senate's most vulnerable incumbent."{{cite news|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|title=Reid: Minimum wage vote may slip|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/202331-reid-minimum-wage-vote-may-slip/|access-date=April 9, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=April 1, 2014}}

Senator Pryor was consistently opposed to proposed cuts to conservation, rural development, agriculture research, nutrition, and forestry programs. In 2014, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, he wrote the $20 billion annual spending legislation that allocates funds for agriculture programs.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1244| title= S.1244 – Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=February 1, 2022}} Pryor secured a legislation within the 2014 Farm bill to allow domestic forestry products to be recognized by USDA as biobased, ensuring such products can be used by the federal government and can be sold as a greener alternative to consumers.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2642/titles| title= H.R. 2642 – Agricultural Act of 2014 2014 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=February 1, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/463| title= S. 463 – Forest Products Fairness Act of 2013 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=February 1, 2022}}

Through the annual budget process, Pryor helped allocate more than $125 million to advance research in forestry, specialty crops, animal science, wetland management, aquaculture and weather management.

{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3081| title= H.R. 3081 – Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=February 1, 2022}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/2997| title= H.R. 2997 – Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=February 1, 2022}}

Pryor also worked closely with Senator Boozman to advance agricultural and food law research by allowing institutions such as the National Agricultural Law Center to enter into partnerships with private industry.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/amendment/112th-congress/senate-amendment/2355/cosponsors| title= S. Amdt.2355 to S.3240 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=February 1, 2022}}

In June 2006, Pryor voted against repeal of the federal estate tax.{{cite news |title=Democrats halt move to kill off death tax |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jun/08/20060608-115744-9807r/ |access-date=October 20, 2013 |newspaper=Washington Times |date=June 8, 2006}} In 2013, Pryor and Senator John Boozman (R-AR) were credited by Arkansas Farm Bureau president Randy Veach for their opposition to President Obama's plan to raise the estate tax. Pryor co-sponsored a bill that would implement a one-year extension on current estate tax rates.{{cite web|url=http://www.arfb.com/mobile/press-releases/2013/pryor_boozman_bring_common_sense_to_estate_tax_debate|title=Pryor, Boozman bring common sense to debate over estate taxes|work=arfb.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413155726/http://www.arfb.com/mobile/press-releases/2013/pryor_boozman_bring_common_sense_to_estate_tax_debate|archive-date=April 13, 2014}}{{cite news|title=Democratic senators take issue with the estate tax|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/democratic-senators-take-issue-with-the-estate-tax/2012/12/11/0b62efb0-43d4-11e2-8e70-e1993528222d_story.html|access-date=May 26, 2014|newspaper=Washington Post|date=December 11, 2012}} The bill did not pass. In 2008 Pryor voted against expanding the pool of people exempt from the estate tax.{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SP04191:|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004014000/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SP04191:|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 2008|title=Bill Summary & Status - 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - S.AMDT.4191 - THOMAS (Library of Congress)|work=loc.gov}}

Pryor voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. "Obamacare") in December 2009,{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396|title=U.S. Senate: Roll Call Vote|date=January 27, 2015|work=senate.gov}} and later voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=August 29, 2010}}

Pryor opposes bringing Guantanamo Bay prisoners to the United States for trial.{{cite web|url=http://arkansasnews.com/2009/11/17/lincoln-pryor-back-bid-to-block-funding-to-hold-terror-suspects-in-u-s/ |title=Lincoln, Pryor back bid to block funding to hold terror suspects in U.S. | Arkansas News |publisher=Arkansasnews.com |access-date=August 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718150104/http://arkansasnews.com/2009/11/17/lincoln-pryor-back-bid-to-block-funding-to-hold-terror-suspects-in-u-s/ |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }}

On September 28, 2006, Pryor was one of 12 Senate Democrats who voted to adopt S.3930, the Military Commissions Act of 2006.{{cite web|url=http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00259 |title=U.S. Senate |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=June 1, 2015}} He voted against the flag burning amendment in June 2006.

On March 15, 2007, Pryor was one of two Democratic senators to vote against a resolution aimed at withdrawing most American combat troops from Iraq in 2008. The vote, requiring 60 votes to pass, was 50 to 48 against.{{cite news

|date=March 15, 2007

|author= Toner, Robin

|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/15/washington/15cnd-cong.html?hp

|title= Senate Rejects Measure for Iraq Pullout

|work= The New York Times

|access-date=March 15, 2007}}

In 2003, Pryor voted for a federal ban on partial-birth abortion.{{cite news|last1=Berg|first1=Rebecca|title=Dispute over religious faith sparks spat in Arkansas Senate race|url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/dispute-over-religious-faith-sparks-spat-in-arkansas-senate-race/article/2550431|access-date=August 28, 2014|publisher=Washington Examiner|date=July 3, 2014}} He has voted in favor of the expansion of embryonic stem cell research. He voted against restricting UN funding for population control policies, prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion, and barring Health and Human Services grants to organizations that perform abortions.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/social/Mark_Pryor_Abortion.htm |title=Mark Pryor on Abortion |publisher=Ontheissues.org |access-date=June 1, 2015}}

On December 18, 2010, Pryor voted in favor of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00281|title=U.S. Senate: Roll Call Vote|date=January 27, 2015|work=senate.gov}}{{cite news|url=http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/senate/2/281?ref=politics |work=The New York Times |title=Senate Vote 281 - Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027055830/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/senate/2/281?ref=politics |archive-date=October 27, 2015 }}

In 2004, Pryor voted to extend the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2013/aug/12/gun-laws-big-issue-race-20130812/|title=Gun laws big issue in race|work=Arkansas Online|date=August 12, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=2&vote=00024|title=U.S. Senate: Roll Call Vote|date=January 27, 2015|work=senate.gov}}

In 2013, Pryor voted against a measure that would have required background checks for all firearms purchases.{{cite news|last1=Fournier |first1=Ron |title=Mark Pryor May Soon Have A Bloomberg Problem |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/mark-pryor-may-soon-have-a-bloomberg-problem-20130423 |access-date=August 28, 2014 |work=National Journal |date=April 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903120757/http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/mark-pryor-may-soon-have-a-bloomberg-problem-20130423 |archive-date=September 3, 2014 }}

In March 2013, Pryor cosponsored a bill that would flag individuals attempting to buy guns who have used an insanity defense, were ruled dangerous by a court, or had been committed by a court to mental health treatment. It did not address the gun show loophole. The bill has not been passed into law.{{cite web|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/06/graham-introduces-background-check-bill-with-nra-backing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308080629/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/06/graham-introduces-background-check-bill-with-nra-backing/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |title=Graham introduces background check bill with NRA backing |publisher=CNN |date=March 6, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2014}}{{cite web|title=S.480 - NICS Reporting Improvement Act of 2013|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/480|website=Congress.gov|date=March 6, 2013|access-date=November 2, 2014}}

On May 23, 2005, Pryor was one of the 14 senators who forged a compromise on the Democrats' use of the judicial filibuster. This effectively ended any threat of a Democratic filibuster (and thus also avoided the Republican leadership's threatened implementation of the so-called nuclear option). Under the agreement, the Democrats would exercise the power to filibuster a Bush judicial nominee only in an "extraordinary circumstance." The threat of a filibuster removed, Republicans were able to force cloture on the three most conservative Bush appellate court nominees (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen and William Pryor-no close relation), who subsequently passed a vote by the full Republican-controlled Senate.{{cite news|last1=Rudin|first1=Ken|title=Judging Alito: The Gang of 14 Factor|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5080836|access-date=August 28, 2014|publisher=NPR|date=January 4, 2006}} He did, however, vote against the nomination of Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.{{cite news|title=Senate GOP Moves Toward Alito Confirmation|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/senate-gop-moves-toward-alito-confirmation/|access-date=August 28, 2014|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Fox News|date=January 28, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903213742/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/01/28/senate-gop-moves-toward-alito-confirmation/|archive-date=September 3, 2014|url-status=live}}

On November 21, 2013, Pryor was one of only three Democratic senators to dissent from Harry Reid's leadership to vote against the nuclear option which switched the Senate away from operating on a supermajority basis, to requiring only a simple majority for certain decisions. In his speech on the Senate floor that day, he said that the Senate was, "a place for debate...where Members...can reach across the aisle and find solutions...Part of that is to allow the minority to speak, even if it is a minority of one. We need to protect that right, and we need to protect every Senator's right to debate and to amend legislation." He said that the Senate was, in a sense, "the only place where the minority is guaranteed a voice. They sometimes get outvoted, but they are guaranteed at least to be heard," and said that he was, "disappointed in the use of the nuclear option. I opposed that. I think it could do permanent damage to this institution and could have some very negative ramifications for our country and for the American people.".{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/113/crec/2013/11/21/CREC-2013-11-21.pdf|page=S8422|title=Congressional Record: Senate, Nov. 21, 2013|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=2019-06-29}} (PDF page 56)

In March 2015, Pryor became a partner at D.C.-based law and lobbying firm Venable.{{cite news|title=Ex-Sen. Pryor heading to K Street|url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/234194-ex-sen-pryor-heading-to-k-street/|access-date=April 18, 2015|newspaper=The Hill|date=February 27, 2015|author=Megan R. Wilson}} During the 2016 and 2020 United States presidential election Pryor was a member of the Platform Committee for the Democratic National Convention.

In 2020, he was recruited by the law and lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, and described the opportunity to work for the powerhouse firm as "kind of like being able to go play football at Clemson or Alabama." As of 2021, Pryor's clients include drugmaker Eli Lilly and Company, meat processor Tyson Foods, power and natural gas conglomerate Duke Energy, and auto manufacturer General Motors, among others.{{cite news |title=Client Profile: Eli Lilly & Co |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/lobbyists?cycle=2021&id=D000000166 |website=OpenSecrets}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/02/republican-lobbyists-biden-business-risk-433797|title = Republican lobbyists face business risk: A Biden administration| website=Politico | date=November 2, 2020 }}

In 2021, he wrote a piece for The New York Times that called for President Joe Biden to appoint an aggressive antitrust enforcer to lead the Department of Justice Antitrust Division.{{Cite news|last=Pryor|first=Mark|date=2021-03-29|title=Opinion {{!}} F.D.R. Took Down Giants. Biden Can, Too.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/29/opinion/biden-fdr-antitrust-monopolies.html|access-date=2021-09-08|issn=0362-4331}} Pryor is a member of the Board of Advisors of the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF).{{Cite web|date=January 15, 2021|title=Former Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) Joins ACCF Board of Advisors|url=https://accf.org/2021/01/15/former-senator-mark-pryor-d-ar-joins-accf-board-of-advisors/|access-date=2021-09-08|website=American Council for Capital Formation (AACF)}}

Pryor lives in Little Rock and has a son and a daughter, Adams and Porter. He is married to Joi Pryor. They are members of the First Assembly of God in North Little Rock.

In 1996, Pryor was diagnosed with clear-cell sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in his left leg.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/mark-pryor-lone-arkansas-democrat-hangs-on-95650.html |title=Lone Arkansas Democrat Mark Pryor hangs on - Manu Raju |publisher=Politico.com |date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=June 1, 2015}} His treatment and rehabilitation took 15 months, and he was told by one doctor that he might have to have his leg amputated, but it was discovered early enough and the cancer was successfully removed.{{cite web|url=http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2011/jun/03/bc-ar-pryor-cancer-relay1st-ld-writethru/|title=Arkansas senator: Battle with cancer was humbling|work=Victoriaadvocate.com|date=June 3, 2011 |access-date=June 1, 2015}}

{{See also|United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2014}}

{{Election box begin | title=United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2014{{cite web | url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AR/53237/149537/Web01/en/summary.html | title=November 4, 2014 General election and nonpartisan runoff election Official results | publisher=Arkansas Secretary of State | access-date=November 23, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Cotton

| votes = 478,819

| percentage = 56.50%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Mark Pryor (incumbent)

| votes = 334,174

| percentage = 39.43%

| change = -40.10%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Nathan LaFrance

| votes = 17,210

| percentage = 2.03%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Green Party (United States)

| candidate = Mark Swaney

| votes = 16,797

| percentage = 1.98%

| change = -18.49%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = N/A

| candidate = Write-ins

| votes = 505

| percentage = 0.06%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 847,505

| percentage = 100.0%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| loser = Democratic Party (United States)

| swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{See also|United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2008}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title = United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.arelections.org/index.php?ac:show:contest_statewide=1&elecid=181&contestid=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001210932/http://www.arelections.org/index.php?ac:show:contest_statewide=1&elecid=181&contestid=9 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 1, 2008 |title=U.S. Senate Statewide Results |publisher=Secretary of State of Arkansas |date=December 2, 2008 |access-date=December 9, 2008}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party of Arkansas

|candidate = Mark Pryor (incumbent)

|votes = 804,678

|percentage = 79.53

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Green Party of Arkansas

|candidate = Rebekah Kennedy

|votes = 207,076

|percentage = 20.47

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 1,011,754

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box invalid no change

|votes = 75,586

|percentage = n/a

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party of Arkansas

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{See also|United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2002}}

{{Election box begin | title=Arkansas U.S. Senate Election 2002}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Mark Pryor

|votes = 433,306

|percentage = 53.9

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Tim Hutchinson (Incumbent)

|votes = 370,653

|percentage = 46.1

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Conservative Democrat

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