BIOGUIDE S001225 · FEC H2IL17147
Eric Sorensen
U.S. Representative (since 2023)DINCUMBENT
- Race
- U.S. House · Illinois's 17th District
- Result
- Eric Sorensen, projected winner
- Opponent
- Dillan Vancil (R)
- Research
- In depth
Party line17 votes tracked
Broke with Democrats on
- CLARITY Act — digital asset market structure voted yes
- GENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation voted yes
- Laken Riley Act — final passage voted yes
With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.
Said vs. did7 statements · 17 votes
I believe that reproductive health care decisions should be made between an individual and their doctor – not lawmakers.
Protect legal access to abortion
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotU.S. House · 17
2026-11-03
| Eric Sorensen D | incumbent |
| Dillan Vancil R | challenger |
Won the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary unopposed
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
I believe that reproductive health care decisions should be made between an individual and their doctor – not lawmakers.
Says reproductive health care decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor, not lawmakers, and that he will work to remove barriers to reproductive care.[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
We need to find ways to protect our homes and farms from draughts, floods, and other adverse weather events while investing in clean power sources that will create sustainable, good-paying jobs right here in our district.
Says the climate is changing and calls for investing in clean power sources while protecting communities from severe-weather damage.[6]
As your Representative, I am taking strides to invest more into local law enforcement agencies to support their training needs, help them better retain and recruit officers, and build better relationships with the communities they serve.
Says he is working to invest more into local law enforcement agencies to support training, recruitment, and retention.[9]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
I believe we need to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to ensure preexisting conditions are covered. I also support solutions that bring down the cost of prescription drugs, like allowing Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies.
Says he wants to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act to cover preexisting conditions and let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices.[10]
Military-style assault weapons, capable of killing dozens of people in minutes, do not belong on our streets.
Supports legislation banning certain semi-automatic weapons and magazines holding more than 15 rounds.[12]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Donald Trump’s tariffs have bankrupted farmers, caused small businesses to close, and made it harder for my neighbors to pay their bills.
Criticizes the Trump administration’s tariffs as harmful to farmers and small businesses and cosponsored bills to rein in presidential tariff authority.[13]
- YESResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.[14]
1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement
Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 40 (119th Congress), a War Powers Resolution measure directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities not authorized by Congress.
Documented position[15]
- YESWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela (H. Con. Res. 64, 2025-12-17), which would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization.[16]
- YESWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.[17]
2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- NOSAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).[20]
Biography
Eric Sorensen is the Democratic U.S. Representative for Illinois's 17th District, first elected in 2022, and won re-election on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial results. He worked for more than two decades as a television meteorologist in Illinois before entering politics, and sits on the House Agriculture and Armed Services committees.[1][2][3][4]
Sorensen was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, according to his official House biography.[3] He earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University (Ballotpedia lists the graduation year inconsistently, so it is omitted here); Wikipedia reports he studied communications and meteorology there and graduated from Boylan Catholic High School.[2][4] He began his career as a television meteorologist at KTRE in Lufkin, Texas (1999-2000) and later worked in Tyler, Texas, before serving as chief meteorologist at WREX in Rockford from 2003 to 2014.[4]
In 2014 Sorensen became senior meteorologist at WQAD in the Quad Cities, and he retired from television in 2021; his House biography describes more than two decades as a local TV meteorologist in Central and Northwestern Illinois.[3][4] After leaving television he worked in communications for UnityPoint Health and served on the boards of Clock, Inc. and the Project of the Quad Cities.[2][4] He announced his candidacy for Congress on November 10, 2021, after Rep. Cheri Bustos said she would not seek re-election, and defeated Republican Esther Joy King in the November 2022 general election.[4]
Sorensen took office in January 2023. He was re-elected in 2024, defeating Republican Joseph McGraw with 54.4% of the vote, and was renominated without opposition in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary.[2][4] He won re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election with 60.2% of the vote to Dillan Vancil's 39.8%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1] In the 119th Congress he serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the Armed Services Committee (Readiness, and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees); in the 118th Congress he served on Agriculture and on Science, Space, and Technology, where he was ranking member of the Space and Aeronautics subcommittee.[2][3] According to his official House biography, he lives in Moline with his partner, Shawn.[3]
Recent votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-03 | With partyvoted yes | War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207 |
| 2026-02-11 | With partyvoted yes | Resolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210 |
| 2026-02-03 | With partyvoted no | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21 |
| 2026-01-08 | With partyvoted yes | Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196 |
| 2025-12-17 | With partyvoted yes | War Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212 |
| 2025-12-10 | With partyvoted yes | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18 |
| 2025-11-18 | With partyvoted yes | Epstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1 |
| 2025-11-12 | With partyvoted no | Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2 |
Showing the 8 most recent of 17 votes.
All 17 recorded votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-03 | With partyvoted yes | War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans. |
| 2026-02-11 | With partyvoted yes | Resolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy. |
| 2026-02-03 | With partyvoted no | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026. |
| 2026-01-08 | With partyvoted yes | Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans. |
| 2025-12-17 | With partyvoted yes | War Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region. |
| 2025-12-10 | With partyvoted yes | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year. |
| 2025-11-18 | With partyvoted yes | Epstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support. |
| 2025-11-12 | With partyvoted no | Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively. |
| 2025-07-17 | Against partyvoted yes | CLARITY Act — digital asset market structureH.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · roll call ↗Democrats 78–134 · Republicans 216–0The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries. |
| 2025-07-17 | Against partyvoted yes | GENIUS Act — stablecoin regulationS. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · roll call ↗Democrats 102–110 · Republicans 206–12The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law. |
| 2025-07-03 | With partyvoted no | One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passageH.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–212 · Republicans 218–2H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025. |
| 2025-06-12 | With partyvoted no | Rescissions Act of 2025H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–208 · Republicans 214–4The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades. |
| 2025-05-22 | With partyvoted no | One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passageH.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–212 · Republicans 215–2H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients. |
| 2025-04-10 | With partyvoted no | SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registrationH.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 4–208 · Republicans 216–0The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls. |
| 2025-03-11 | With partyvoted no | Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 1–212 · Republicans 216–1The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations. |
| 2025-01-22 | Against partyvoted yes | Laken Riley Act — final passageS. 5 · Passed 263–156 · roll call ↗Democrats 46–156 · Republicans 217–0The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions. |
| 2023-05-11 | With partyvoted no | Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passageH.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–211 · Republicans 219–2Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers. |
On the record
Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.
- actionIn the 119th Congress (2025-2026), serves on the Committee on Agriculture (General Farm Commodities, Risk Management and Credit; Conservation, Research and Biotechnology) and the House Committee on Armed Services (Readiness; Tactical Air and Land Forces).[21]
In their own words
Priorities
- My top priority is addressing rising costs that are hurting Illinoisans from the grocery store to the gas pump. I'm also committed to bringing down out-of-control drug prices, especially for our seniors.[22]
- I believe everyone has the right to be healthy, which is why I'm working in Congress to make health care more affordable, accessible, and efficient.[10]
- We need to find ways to protect our homes and farms from draughts, floods, and other adverse weather events while investing in clean power sources that will create sustainable, good-paying jobs right here in our district.[6]
Campaign money$2.2M raised · 60% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $1.3M
- PACs & committees $848K
Largest committee contributions
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- Midwest Region Laborers' Political League PAC$10K
- Ameren Corporation Federal Political Action Committee (Ameren Fedpac) PAC$10K
- American Crystal Sugar Company Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- National Air Traffic Controllers Association PAC PAC$10K
- Jobs, Education, & Families First Jeff PAC PAC$10K
- Fair Shot PAC PAC$10K
- Machinists Non Partisan Political League of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers PAC$10K
- International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Political Action League PAC$10K
- Employees of Northrop Grumman Corporation PAC PAC$10K
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/eric-sorensen
Where they stood out
Voted against most of their party on 37 of 470 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Rights & public safety (17), Jobs & cost of living (9), Education & families (4)
Main Street Act
What it does: Main Street Capital Access Act or the Main Street Act This bill lessens and otherwise modifies banking regulations, including those regarding institution formation, supervision by federal financial regulators, and ban…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 56–154, Republicans 213–1
Jul 21, 2026Official record ↗
Amendment (Massie) to H.R. 8595 — Making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.
A yes vote supported an H.R. 8595 amendment that bars funds in the bill from being used for Israel and cuts the Foreign Military Financing account by $3.3 billion. (AI-written)
What it does: National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides FY2027 appropriations for national security, the Department of State, and related programs.
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 103–98, Republicans 1–215
Jul 15, 2026Official record ↗
Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act
What it does: Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act This bill (1) assigns financial integrity, improper payment prevention, and spending transparency functions to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) within the Department of th…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 28–181, Republicans 211–0
Jun 10, 2026Official record ↗
Their votes on the most contested roll calls
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
- No
With most of their party · Passed 214–212 · Yes 214–No 212 · Democrats 0–211, Republicans 214–0
Jun 9, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act
With most of their party · Failed 214–217 · Yes 214–No 217 · Democrats 214–0, Republicans 0–216
Feb 11, 2026Official record ↗
- No
With most of their party · Passed 217–215 · Yes 217–No 215 · Democrats 0–214, Republicans 216–1
Feb 25, 2025Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Failed 215–215 · Yes 215–No 215 · Democrats 213–0, Republicans 2–214
Jan 22, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Failed 213–213 · Yes 213–No 213 · Democrats 211–0, Republicans 2–212
Jun 4, 2025Official record ↗
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Illinois U.S. House District 17 election results 2026 · NBC News · 2026-11-09 News report
- 2.Eric Sorensen · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.About Eric · Office of Rep. Eric Sorensen · 2026-10-21 Official record
- 4.Eric Sorensen (politician) · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 5.Reproductive Rights · Office of Rep. Eric Sorensen Candidate's own words
- 6.Energy and the Environment · Office of Rep. Eric Sorensen Candidate's own words
- 7.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
- 8.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
- 9.Public Safety · Office of Rep. Eric Sorensen Candidate's own words
- 10.Health Care · Office of Rep. Eric Sorensen Candidate's own words
- 11.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
- 12.Congressman Sorensen Supports Assault Weapons Ban Amidst Political and Gun Violence · Office of Rep. Eric Sorensen · 2025-09-23 Candidate's own words
- 13.Congressman Sorensen Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision to Strike Down Trump’s Tariff Scheme · Office of Rep. Eric Sorensen · 2026-02-24 Candidate's own words
- 14.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
- 15.H.Con.Res. 40 (Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 16.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
- 17.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
- 18.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
- 19.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
- 20.Roll call: SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-04-10 Official record
- 21.Eric Sorensen · Ballotpedia Reference
- 22.Jobs, Small Business, and the Economy · Office of Rep. Eric Sorensen Candidate's own words