Bernard Sanders
Independent · Senator for Vermont
56 sponsored · 477 cosponsored
In the Senate since 2007, in Congress since 1991
Age 85
Contact their office: (202) 224-5141 · 332 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 · Official website
In the 119th Congress (2025–2026)
- Sponsored 56 bills.The typical senator sponsored 61. Bills they wrote, not ones they signed on to.
- 2 bills they backed became law.They cosponsored them.
- 5 passed the Senate and wait on the House.The House has to pass the same text before it can become law.
- Missed 64 of 915 recorded votes (7%).The typical senator missed 2.2%. The record doesn’t say why.
- Works most on international affairs and health.59 and 49 of the 533 bills they wrote or backed.
What they got done
Most bills never get a vote. These are the ones they wrote or backed that got somewhere.
Became law (2)
This bill aims to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. It extends various deadlines and years within the original act, such as changing certain dates from 2023 to 2026.
Became law · 119-S-356
- Yes: Would people in rural areas be better off under this?The bill directly extends financial payments and project authority to rural counties containing federal land. +5
This Act aims to increase compensation rates for various groups.
Became law · 119-S-2392
- Yes: Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?The bill directly increases rates for wartime disability compensation and clothing allowances for veterans. +7
Passed one chamber, waiting on the other (5)
Halfway: the other chamber has to pass the same text before it can go to the President.
This Act aims to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965. It provides updated funding authorizations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 across various aging-related programs.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-2120
- Yes: Would retired people be better off under this?The core purpose of the bill is to support and enhance life for older adults and retirees. +10
This bill orders the creation and presentation of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment to honor their service during the Revolutionary War.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-567
- Yes: Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?The bill honors the historical military service and sacrifice of veterans from the Revolutionary War. +3
This concurrent resolution recognizes the 15th anniversary of the January 8, 2011, shooting in Tucson, Arizona.
Agreed to by the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-SCONRES-25
And 2 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.
Still waiting, of the 56 bills they wrote: 1 cleared committee and waits for a first vote, 55 are in committee. Committee is where most bills end, whoever writes them — silence there, not a vote, is the usual way a bill dies.
What their bills would do
Every bill is scored against plain yes-or-no questions. These count their bills — the ones they wrote and the ones they cosponsored — by how each question was answered: yes, or the opposite. Open one to see those bills, where each stands, and why it was scored that way. Scores are made by AI ().
Who their bills would affect
What else they would change
How they voted lately
Their latest votes that decided something, and what each measure would do.
This bill sets national rules for student athlete name, image, and likeness rights. It creates protections for academic progress, medical coverage, and health and safety standards.
The vote on whether to pass the bill — Bill Passed
- Yes: Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?Significantly expands earning potential through NIL rights and provides medical and academic protections for college athletes. +9
- No: Does this leave more decisions to the states?Prevents states from enforcing their own NIL compensation and transfer laws that conflict with the federal framework. -5
119-S-4668 · roll call 250
What the Amendment Does As folks looking out for the good of the people and holding our officials accountable, we need to know what our leaders are trying to change. This amendment, submitted by Mr. Booker and Mr.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6835 · roll call 249
- YeaTo increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.Sep 29, 2026
What the Amendment Does Mr. Booker, along with Mr. Blumenthal, submitted this amendment to change how a specific fund or program is paid for in the bill.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6805 · roll call 248
On the President’s nominees
The President chooses federal judges, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and military officers, and the Senate decides whether each one gets the job. Most are confirmed by voice vote, which records no one’s position; in the 119th Congress (2025–2026) the Senate put 223 confirmations to a recorded vote, and confirmed every one.
They voted to confirm 2 and against 195, and did not vote on 26. Those votes covered 567 nominees, because the Senate sometimes confirms many in a single vote.
The 5 most recent they voted against
Keith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of Labor, vice Lori Chavez-DeRemer, resigned.
Nomination Confirmed 47–41 · Sep 30, 2026
Angela Veronica Colmenero, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, vice Lee H. Rosenthal, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 50–47 · Sep 23, 2026
Kasdin Miller Mitchell, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, vice Barbara M. Lynn, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 49–45 · Sep 17, 2026
Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General, vice Pamela Bondi.
Nomination Confirmed 50–49 · Aug 8, 2026
Charlton Allen, of North Carolina, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years, vice Julia Akins Clark, term expired. — and 73 other nominees in the same vote
Nomination Confirmed 51–47 · Aug 7, 2026
How busy they have been
How many bills they have put their name to over time — volume, not results: most bills never get a vote.