Federal · Rhode Island · Democratic

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democrat U.S. Senator for Rhode Island.

Voted further left than 73% of the Senate, based on 872 roll-call votes this Congress.4

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Each tick is a member of the Senate. Scores are DW-NOMINATE, a standard measure computed from every recorded vote by Voteview at UCLA.

On the record

Office
U.S. Senator for Rhode Island1
Party
Democratic1
In this office since
January 4, 20071
Term ends
January 3, 20311
Contact
Official website · 202-224-2921 · X / Twitter · Facebook · YouTube · Instagram1
Filed to run
U.S. Senate, Rhode Island (2030)3

What they say and what they did

Their stated positions, quoted from their website, next to their record in the 119th Congress (2025–26): bills they sponsored and how they voted on bills' final passage.

  • 77 bills sponsored, 0 became law · 339 cosponsored5
  • Voted on 51 of 56 final votes on bills; missed 56
  • Committees: Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe; United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control (Chairman); Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Ranking Member); Senate Committee on the Judiciary; Senate Committee on the Budget; Senate Committee on Finance2

Economy and jobs

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 7 and cosponsored 51 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 4972: Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Sponsored S.J.Res. 155: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Fair Credit Reporting Act; Preemption of State Laws". Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2268-2269)
  • Sponsored S. 4346: Consumer Protection and Corporate Accountability in Bankruptcy Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Voted Yea on H.R. 228: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027Bill Passed 90–6, August 8, 20267
  • Voted Yea on H.R. 20: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026Bill Passed 71–29, January 30, 20268
  • Voted Yea on H.R. 11: Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026Bill Passed 82–15, January 15, 20269
  • Voted Nay on H.R. 618: Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026Bill Passed 60–40, November 10, 202510
  • Voted Yea on S.J.Res. 600: A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose global tariffs.Joint Resolution Passed 51–47, October 30, 202511

Taxes

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 14 and cosponsored 32 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 5669: End Tax Breaks for Dark Money Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Sponsored S. 5625: Affordable Housing Construction Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Sponsored S. 5173: Fairness in Foreign Filing Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Voted Nay on H.J.Res. 151: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales".Joint Resolution Passed 70–28, March 26, 202512
  • Voted Nay on S.J.Res. 102: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales".Joint Resolution Passed 70–27, March 4, 202513

Health care

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 5 and cosponsored 53 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 5269: Pay PCPs Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Sponsored S. 3762: Prior Authorization Relief Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Sponsored S. 3599: Affordable CHOICE Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Immigration

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 10 bills on this issue5
  • Voted Nay on S. 163: Secure America ActBill Passed 52–47, June 5, 202614
  • Voted Nay on S. 7: Laken Riley ActBill Passed 64–35, January 20, 202515

Abortion

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 1 bills on this issue5

Guns

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 3 bills on this issue5

Energy and climate

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 29 and cosponsored 29 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 5409: Environmental Health Restoration Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • Sponsored S.J.Res. 187: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)". Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 48 - 50. Record Vote Number: 222.
  • Sponsored S.J.Res. 188: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal". Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 53. Record Vote Number: 135. (CR S2509)
  • Voted Nay on H.J.Res. 84: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.Joint Resolution Passed 50–49, April 16, 202616
  • Voted Nay on H.J.Res. 632: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.Joint Resolution Passed 49–45, December 4, 202517
  • Voted Nay on H.J.Res. 623: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment.Joint Resolution Passed 51–43, November 20, 202518
  • Voted Nay on S.J.Res. 599: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision".Joint Resolution Passed 52–45, October 30, 202519
  • Voted Nay on H.J.Res. 560: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".Joint Resolution Passed 50–46, October 9, 202520

Education

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 13 bills on this issue5

Crime and policing

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 7 and cosponsored 42 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 5528: Supreme Court Review Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Sponsored S. 5076: Supreme Court Biennial Appointments and Term Limits Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Sponsored S. 4004: Protect Law Enforcement Task Forces Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Voted Yea on S. 127: HALT Fentanyl ActBill Passed 84–16, March 14, 202521

Foreign policy

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 2 and cosponsored 15 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 5486: A bill to amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to exclude from eligibility each sub-Saharan African country that does not effectively enforce its environmental laws and fulfill its international environmental obligations. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Sponsored S. 2918: REPO Implementation Act of 2025 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243.
  • Voted Yea on H.R. 224: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026Bill Passed 86–11, August 7, 202622

Social Security and Medicare

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 1 and cosponsored 15 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 1943: Protecting Seniors' Data Act of 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Housing

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 1 bills on this issue5
  • Voted Yea on H.R. 53: 21st Century ROAD to Housing ActBill Passed 89–10, March 12, 202623

Elections and voting

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 3 and cosponsored 26 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 5075: Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
  • Sponsored S. 3991: DISCLOSE Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
  • Sponsored S. 2533: Pick Up After Your DOGE Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Voted Nay on H.J.Res. 37: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.Joint Resolution Passed 49–47, February 12, 202624
  • Voted Yea on S.J.Res. 654: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Policy on Adhering to the Text of the Administrative Procedure Act".Joint Resolution Defeated 50–50, December 18, 202525

Technology and AI

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 6 bills on this issue5
  • Voted Nay on S.J.Res. 238: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program".Joint Resolution Passed 50–38, May 8, 202526

Civil rights

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 2 and cosponsored 9 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 3187: Bivens Act of 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Sponsored S. 3186: Constitutional Accountability Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Military and veterans

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 3 and cosponsored 20 bills on this issue5
  • Sponsored S. 567: First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act Held at the desk.
  • Sponsored S. 2344: Department of Veterans Affairs Claim Sharks Effective Warnings Act of 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  • Sponsored S. 2096: Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  • Voted Yea on S. 648: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026Motion Agreed to 77–20, December 17, 202527
  • Voted Yea on S. 570: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026Bill Passed 77–20, October 9, 202528

Drugs and addiction

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 1 bills on this issue5
  • Voted Nay on S. 163: Secure America ActBill Passed 52–47, June 5, 202614
  • Voted Yea on S. 127: HALT Fentanyl ActBill Passed 84–16, March 14, 202521

Farms and rural areas

What they say

  • No position found on their website.

What they did

  • Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 8 bills on this issue5

Money: U.S. Senate, Rhode Island (2030)

As reported to the Federal Election Commission, through June 30, 2026.3

Raised$500K
Spent$706K
Cash on hand$1.1M
  • From individuals $436K
  • From PACs and other committees $54K
  • Other (transfers, loans, refunds) $10K

Gifts from people, by size29

Small gifts under $200 against the largest checks. People can give up to $3,500 per election.

  • Under $200 49%
  • $200–$499 9%
  • $500–$999 8%
  • $1,000–$1,999 16%
  • $2,000 and up 18%

Top PACs and committees giving directly30

National Association of Broadcasters Political Action Committee (Nabpac)Connected to National Association of Broadcasters$5,000
The Ascap Legislative Fund for the Arts$5,000
National Association of Water Companies Political Action Committee (Nawc - PAC)Connected to National Association of Water Companies$3,500
International Trademark Association Political Action Committee (Inta PAC)Connected to International Trademark Association$3,500
International Association of Firefighters Interested in Registration and Education PACConnected to International Association of Fire Fighters$2,500
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association RockpacConnected to National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association$2,500
United Postmasters and Managers of America Political FundConnected to National Association of Postmasters of the United States$2,500
Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs$2,500
National Asphalt Pavement Association Political Action Committee (Napa-pac)Connected to National Asphalt Pavement Association Political Action Committee (Napa-pac)$2,500
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Political Action CommitteeConnected to International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers$2,000
National Marine Manufacturers Association and Marine Retailers Association Boat PACConnected to National Marine Manufacturers Association$2,000
Dga-pac the Political Action Committee of the Directors Guild of America Inc.Connected to Directors Guild of America, Inc.$2,000
National Fraternal Order of Police PACConnected to National Fraternal Order of Police$2,000
D.r.i.v.e. - Dem, Rep, Ind Voter Ed (The PAC of the Int'l BRHD of Teamsters)Connected to International Brotherhood of Teamsters$1,500
Natso Inc. Natso PAC$1,500

Individual donors

  • $288K from 2,198 itemized gifts31
  • 45% came from people in Rhode Island31
  • 7% came from retired people31
  • Top states: Rhode Island $130K, California $36K, Massachusetts $32K, District of Columbia $19K, New York $12K31

Where donors work31

Employers as donors wrote them on the form. These are gifts from people who work there, not from the companies.

Cotchett Pitre & Mccarthy2 gifts$7,000
Kitebrook2 gifts$7,000
Anbau Enterprises2 gifts$6,600
Loring Wolcott2 gifts$5,000
Arnold Ventures1 gifts$3,500
Google1 gifts$3,500
Kazan Mcclain Et Al1 gifts$3,500
Shawmut Capital Partners1 gifts$3,500
Codac3 gifts$3,350
Brown University59 gifts$2,860
Radius Advocacy1 gifts$2,500
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra Mu1 gifts$2,000
Popeyes27 gifts$1,675
Eugene Lee2 gifts$1,500
Imperium Global Advisors2 gifts$1,500

Sources

Every number on this page points here. Each one links to the public record.

  1. 1
    Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress: Sheldon Whitehousehttps://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/W000802
    Retrieved October 16, 2026
  2. 2
    congress-legislators, current members (public domain)https://github.com/unitedstates/congress-legislators
    Listed as a source by congress-legislators
  3. 3
    FEC candidate record S6RI00221https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S6RI00221/
    Retrieved October 16, 2026
  4. 4
    Voteview (UCLA): DW-NOMINATE scores, 119th Congresshttps://voteview.com/data
    Retrieved October 16, 2026 · Free to use with credit
  5. 5
    GovInfo / Congress.gov bill status, 119th Congresshttps://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/119
    Retrieved October 15, 2026 · Public domain
  6. 6
    Roll-call votes: Office of the Clerk, U.S. House, and U.S. Senatehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes
    Retrieved October 15, 2026 · Public domain
  7. 7
    On Passage of the Bill
  8. 8
    On Passage of the Bill
  9. 9
    On Passage of the Bill
  10. 10
    On Passage of the Bill
  11. 11
    On the Joint Resolution
  12. 12
    On the Joint Resolution
  13. 13
    On the Joint Resolution
  14. 14
    On Passage of the Bill
  15. 15
    On Passage of the Bill
  16. 16
    On the Joint Resolution
  17. 17
    On the Joint Resolution
  18. 18
    On the Joint Resolution
  19. 19
    On the Joint Resolution
  20. 20
    On the Joint Resolution
  21. 21
    On Passage of the Bill
  22. 22
    On Passage of the Bill
  23. 23
    On Passage of the Bill
  24. 24
    On the Joint Resolution
  25. 25
    On the Joint Resolution
  26. 26
    On the Joint Resolution
  27. 27
    On the Motion
  28. 28
    On Passage of the Bill
  29. 29
    FEC: contributions to Sheldon Whitehouse by size, 2025–26https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S6RI00221/?cycle=2026&election_full=false#raising
    Computed by the FEC · Retrieved October 15, 2026
  30. 30
    Bulk file pas226 · Retrieved October 16, 2026
  31. 31
    Gifts over $200 that campaigns must itemize · Retrieved October 13, 2026