U.S. Senator from Rhode Island · Class I
Sheldon Whitehouse
Position · −0.34
- In office
- Senate 2007–now
19 years in CongressMore senior than 76% of the Senate - Breaks on
- Sports and Recreation 25%
- Foreign affairs & trade 13%
- Committees
- Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
- Environment and Public Works
- Finance
- Bills on
- Environmental Protection
- Taxation
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Age
- 70
Bottom line
Ranking Democrat on the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Where Whitehouse has influence
Roles
- Ranking Member · Environment and Public Works
- Chairman · United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control
- Ex Officio · 4 subcommittees of Environment and Public Works
- Ranking Member · Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights (Judiciary)
- Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe · 1st in seniority on the minority side
- Finance · 5th in seniority on the minority side
- Budget · 5th in seniority on the minority side
- Judiciary · 2nd in seniority on the minority side
Bills on the move
- S. 2918 REPO Implementation Act of 2025 · Out of committee
- S. 2235 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025 · Out of committee
- S.J.Res. 65 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 "Air Plan Approval; Florida; Revisions to Stationary Sources-Removal of Clean Air Interstate Rule Provisions". · Out of committee
Talks most about
Stories in Whitehouse’s press releases with their latest stance, last three months. Read by AI.
Where Whitehouse breaks with Democrats
MethodShare of party-line votes on each issue where Whitehouse voted against most Democrats. The tick is the median for Senate Democrats.
- Sports and Recreation 25% · 1 of 4 party 0%
- Foreign affairs & trade 13% · 1 of 8 party 0%
- Health care 11% · 1 of 9 party 0%
Every issue Pro See all 9 issues where Whitehouse has broken with Democrats, and filter the voting record to those votes.
Try ProNotable votes
Full record (Pro)Where Whitehouse broke with their party, close outcomes and final passage votes on named bills, newest first.
| Date | Title | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2026 | Protect College Sports Act of 2026On Passage of the Bill · This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited…Broke w/ party | Nay |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Protect College Sports Act of 2026On the Amendment · This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited…Broke w/ party | Nay |
| Sep 24, 2026 | Protect College Sports Act of 2026On the Cloture Motion · This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited…Broke w/ party | Nay |
| Sep 17, 2026 | Protect College Sports Act of 2026On the Motion to Proceed · This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited…Broke w/ party | Nay |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Protect College Sports Act of 2026On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed · This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited…Broke w/ party | Nay |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026On the Amendment · This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a…Broke w/ party | Nay |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Michael C. Martin, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of MichiganOn the NominationBroke w/ party | Yea |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Michael C. Martin, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of MichiganOn the Cloture MotionBroke w/ party | Yea |
Yea ■ filled · Nay □ open · Not voting – dash. Party split bars: Democrats left, Republicans right; dark = yea, light = nay.
What Whitehouse is saying
All 21 statements and posts-
Introduced bill to notify domestic violence survivors of illegal firearm purchase attempts by abusers.
“I spent years prosecuting domestic violence cases in Rhode Island, and I know the toll it can take on survivors as they rebuild their lives. Our legislation will help ensure survivors are made aware when the government has information about an abuser’s attempt to buy a firearm, so survivors and their loved ones can…”
Domestic Violence SAFE Notice ActCrime and Law EnforcementAI-read
-
Released GAO report showing federal contractor fraud vulnerability from opaque corporate structures.
“Senator Grassley and I worked for years to pass the Corporate Transparency Act to crack down on fraudsters, cartels, and criminals who steal and stash dirty money in shady shell companies.”
Fraud EnforcementAI-read
-
Secured $1 million USDA grant for Tiverton water system improvements addressing PFAS contamination.
“Dangerous levels of PFAS have contaminated Tiverton’s water and put families on edge about their health.”
Water InfrastructureAI-read
-
RI Delegation Delivers Nearly $4.5 Million for Local Firefighters
Announced $4.5 million in federal grants for Rhode Island firefighters and fire departments.
“Rhode Island’s bravest risk their lives on the front lines to protect our communities.”
Emergency ManagementAI-read
-
Introduced bill to enforce environmental commitments for African countries in U.S. trade.
“Without environmental accountability criteria, the fossil fuel industry and other big polluters rake in more profits while harming the health of local communities and putting U.S. manufacturers that use clean production methods at a disadvantage.”
Environmental Commitment Objectives for African Growth and Opportunity ActInternational AffairsAI-read
-
Whitehouse, Cortez Masto Reintroduce Congressional Check on Rogue Supreme Court Decisions
Reintroduced bill allowing Congress to respond to Supreme Court decisions.
“The captured right-wing majority of the Supreme Court is openly delivering goods to deep-pocketed special interests. When the Court abuses its power in this way—especially by paving over factual records—it’s up to Congress to protect the interests of the American people.”
◇ statements (press releases) · ○ posts. When a statement names a bill Whitehouse voted on, the vote is shown next to it.
Effectiveness, 119th Congress so far
How it’s measuredMeets expectations
Rank 45 of 100 in the Senate · expected = average of 18 minority-party ranking members
How far Whitehouse’s own bills got, weighted by substance. The average member scores 1.00.
- Introduced 77
- Action in committee 9
- Action beyond committee 9
- Passed chamber 1
- Became law 0
77 bills and joint resolutions sponsored: 4 significant (got a roll call vote), 72 substantive, 1 commemorative. Compare the Senate
Bills, 119th Congress
All 103 sponsored billsSponsored 103 (Senate median 61) · cosponsored 150 (median 308), 256 of them as an original cosponsor · most often on Environmental Protection, Taxation, Finance and Financial Sector.
- S. 5669 A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat transfers of appreciated property to certain tax-exempt organizations the same as transfers of appreciated property to political organizations.Introduced Sep 30, 2026 In committee
- S. 5656 A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for victims of crime to be notified of firearms-related activity by the offender, and for other purposes.Introduced Sep 30, 2026 In committee
- S. 5625 A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to enhance the low-income housing tax credit, and for other purposes.Introduced Sep 30, 2026 In committee
- S. 5528 Supreme Court Review Act of 2026Introduced Sep 24, 2026 In committee
- 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.Introduced Sep 23, 2026 In committee
- S.Res. 864 A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as "National Estuaries Week".Environmental Protection · Introduced Sep 17, 2026 In committee
- S. 5409 Environmental Health Restoration Act of 2026Environmental Protection · Introduced Sep 16, 2026 In committee
- S. 5269 Pay PCPs Act of 2026Health · Introduced Aug 5, 2026 In committee
Votes by issue
How votes are tagged| Issue | Votes | Yea share |
|---|---|---|
| Nominations | 215 | 10% |
| Economics and Public Finance | 205 | 66% |
| Other | 113 | 10% |
| Armed Forces & National Security | 51 | 27% |
| Immigration | 37 | 76% |
| International Affairs | 35 | 77% |
| Energy & environment | 25 | 8% |
| Finance and Financial Sector | 19 | 21% |
| Congress | 18 | 11% |
| Environmental Protection | 17 | 35% |
Show all 32 issues
| Issue | Votes | Yea share |
|---|---|---|
| Public Lands and Natural Resources | 14 | 0% |
| Government Operations and Politics | 13 | 23% |
| Taxes, finance & economy | 13 | 8% |
| Transportation and Public Works | 12 | 58% |
| Sports and Recreation | 11 | 36% |
| Energy | 9 | 0% |
| Foreign affairs & trade | 9 | 11% |
| Health care | 9 | 11% |
| Housing and Community Development | 8 | 100% |
| Taxation | 7 | 43% |
| Budget & appropriations | 7 | 0% |
| Transportation & infrastructure | 6 | 17% |
| Crime and Law Enforcement | 4 | 75% |
| Foreign Trade and International Finance | 4 | 100% |
| Health | 4 | 75% |
| Education & families | 3 | 0% |
| Education | 2 | 50% |
| Emergency Management | 2 | 100% |
| Science, Technology, Communications | 2 | 0% |
| Immigration & border | 2 | 0% |
| Crime & justice | 2 | 100% |
| Families | 1 | 100% |
How often Whitehouse voted with Democrats on each issue is part of Pro.
Who votes alike
MethodAgreement on contested votes where both cast yea or nay.
Most aligned
- DRichard BlumenthalCT Senate95%agreement
- DTammy DuckworthIL Senate94%agreement
- DPatty MurrayWA Senate94%agreement
Full voting network Pro See all twelve closest allies, the members Whitehouse most often votes against, and the closest allies in the other party.
Try ProCampaign money
MethodIn the 2025–26 cycle Whitehouse’s campaign raised $500K: $436K (87%) from individuals and $54K (11%) from PACs and other committees. Cash on hand: $1.1M.
Through Jun 30, 2026; filings lag, so recent gifts can take weeks to appear. Money raised also counts loans and transfers, so the shares need not add to 100%. Source: FEC.gov.
Last cycle, party money, self-funding and debts are part of Pro. See Pro
Who funds Whitehouse
The largest PACs and other committees giving directly to the campaign this cycle, of 28.
- National Association of Broadcasters Trade association PAC
- The Ascap Legislative Fund for the Arts Independent PAC
- International Trademark Association Trade association PAC
See how much each organization gave Whitehouse this cycle and last, the mix of corporate, labor, trade and other PACs, and who else each one funds.
Start with a free account Log inWhitehouse’s own leadership PAC: Oceans PAC. A separate PAC a member sponsors to give to other candidates.
Record over time
Historical record Pro Compare Whitehouse’s measures across every Congress on file.
Try ProRésumé and contact
Career in Congress
- U.S. Senate, Rhode IslandDemocrat2007–present
Seat
- State
- Rhode Island
- Seat
- Class 1, junior senator
- Current term
- 2025–2031
- Age
- 70
Committees and roles
Contact
- DC office
- 202-224-2921
530 Hart Senate Office Building - District offices
- Providence
- Website
- whitehouse.senate.gov
- SenatorWhitehouse
- SenWhitehouse
- YouTube
- SenatorWhitehouse
Elsewhere
Wikipedia · Ballotpedia · GovTrack · Congress.gov · OpenSecrets
Oathstar ID osp_5ap9xdmzx2
