CONGRESS FOR VOTERS
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democrat · U.S. Senator for Rhode Island

103 sponsored · 454 cosponsored

Age 71 · In office since 2007

Contact their office: (202) 224-2921 · 530 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 · Official website

Overview Votes (459) Sponsored (103) Cosponsored (454)

In the 119th Congress (2025–2026)

What they got done

Most bills never get a vote. These are the ones they wrote or backed that got somewhere.

Became law (2)

  • Dan Sullivan (R-AK)

    Cosponsored

    Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act

    S. 216 Public Lands and Natural Resources

    A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor.

    Became law

    This bill seeks to update the administration of the Marine Debris Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program.

    Yes· 2 of 4

    • Scored +6

      Would Native Americans be better off under this?

      The bill expands the Foundation's purposes to include Indian Tribes and mandates outreach best practices.

    • Scored +5

      Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?

      The bill enhances the administration of marine debris programs to protect ocean environments.

    No question was scored the opposite.

  • John Kennedy (R-LA)

    Cosponsored

    Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025

    S. 616 Law

    A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor.

    Became law

    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.

    Yes

    • Scored +5

      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.

    No question was scored the opposite.

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.

  • Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

    Their bill

    First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act

    S. 567 Armed Forces and National Security

    A Democratic bill with 25 Republican cosponsors.

    Passed the Senate

    With no one objecting, no names recorded

    Now: kept ready for the floor instead of being sent to a committee · Jun 15

    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.

    Yes· 2 of 4

    • Scored +3

      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.

    • Scored +3

      Would Black Americans be better off under this?

      The legislation explicitly recognizes and honors the significant contributions of soldiers of African heritage who served in the First Rhode Island Regiment during the Revolutionary War.

    No question was scored the opposite.

  • John Kennedy (R-LA)

    Cosponsored

    Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act

    S. 4850 Law

    A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors.

    Passed the Senate

    With no one objecting, no names recorded

    Now: kept ready for the floor instead of being sent to a committee · Aug 10

    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.

    The opposite

    • Scored -2

      Would workers who earn tips be better off under this?

      The bill increases the minimum amount in controversy required for diversity jurisdiction to $150,000, which may make it more difficult for workers to pursue certain claims in federal court.

    No question was scored yes.

  • Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

    Cosponsored

    Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026

    S. 4472 Health

    A Republican bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors.

    Passed the Senate

    By voice vote, no names recorded

    Now: kept ready for the floor instead of being sent to a committee · Aug 10

    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.

    Yes· 2 of 3

    • Scored +5

      Would people with disabilities be better off under this?

      The bill supports the development of therapies for ALS, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease.

    • Scored +5

      Does this make health care easier to get in general?

      The bill extends the timeframe for expanded access grants and research related to ALS treatments through 2031.

    No question was scored the opposite.

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.

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.

  • U.S. Senate · Sep 29, 2026

    Protect College Sports Act of 2026

    S. 4668

    The vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.

    Their vote Nay

    Passed

    7722

    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.

    • Scored +9

      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.

    • Scored -5

      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.

  • U.S. Senate · Sep 29, 2026

    To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

    S.Amdt. 6805

    A vote on a proposed change to the bill A vote on one change, not on the bill. A bill can collect dozens of these, and losing one does not stop it.

    Their vote Yea

    Failed

    4950

    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.

Every vote they cast, and how often they missed one →

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 224 confirmations to a recorded vote, and confirmed every one.

Their votes to confirm, of 224 recorded votes

  • Yes: 22
  • No: 192
  • Missed: 10

Those votes covered 584 nominees, because the Senate sometimes confirms many in a single vote.

The 5 most recent they voted against

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.

Legislative activity over time