Sheldon Whitehouse
Democrat · Senator for Rhode Island
103 sponsored · 451 cosponsored
In the Senate since 2007
Age 71
Contact their office: (202) 224-2921 · 530 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 · Official website
In the 119th Congress (2025–2026)
- Sponsored 103 bills.The typical senator sponsored 61. Bills they wrote, not ones they signed on to.
- 2 bills they backed became law.They cosponsored them.
- 19 passed the Senate and wait on the House.The House has to pass the same text before it can become law.
- Missed 36 of 915 recorded votes (3.9%).The typical senator missed 2.2%. The record doesn’t say why.
- Works most on health and environmental protection.69 and 45 of the 554 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 seeks to update the administration of the Marine Debris Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program.
Became law · 119-S-216
- Yes: Would Native Americans be better off under this?The bill expands the Foundation's purposes to include Indian Tribes and mandates outreach best practices. +6
- They cosponsoredFoundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025Dec 12, 2025
This Act amends title 36 of the United States Code. It revises the Federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association regarding its organization and membership.
Became law · 119-S-616
- Yes: Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?The bill implements strict prohibitions on the private distribution of corporate assets and political activities. +5
Passed one chamber, waiting on the other (19)
Halfway: the other chamber has to pass the same text before it can go to the President.
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 bill aims to amend title 28 of the United States Code. It seeks to adjust the thresholds used to determine jurisdiction. Specifically, it changes the amount required for a matter in controversy.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-4850
- They cosponsoredAccelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026Aug 4, 2026
This Act aims to extend the provisions of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act. It reauthorizes specific provisions through fiscal year 2031.
Passed the Senate by voice vote, no names recorded · 119-S-4472
- Yes: Would people with disabilities be better off under this?The bill supports the development of therapies for ALS, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease. +5
And 16 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.
Resolutions of theirs that were adopted (4)
A resolution is a chamber speaking for itself — a position, a rule or a tribute. Adopting it puts it into effect, but it is not a law.
- A resolution recognizing January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month".
- A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week".
- A resolution designating June 10, 2025, as "DACOR Bacon House Bicentennial Day".
- A resolution recognizing January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month".
Still waiting, of the 103 bills they wrote: 3 cleared committee and wait for a first vote, 95 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 22 and against 192, and did not vote on 9. Those votes covered 584 nominees, because the Senate sometimes confirms many in a single vote.
The 5 most recent they voted against
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
Matthew R. Byrne, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio, vice Michael H. Watson, retired.
Nomination Confirmed 52–45 · Sep 15, 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.