BIOGUIDE P000621 · FEC H4NJ09194
Nellie Pou
U.S. Representative, NJ-9 (since January 2025)DINCUMBENT
- Race
- U.S. House · New Jersey's 9th District
- Result
- Nellie Pou, projected winner
- Opponents
- Rosemary Pino (R); Terrisa Bukovinac (Save Our Babies Party)
- Research
- Basic
Party line16 votes tracked
Broke with Democrats on
- CLARITY Act — digital asset market structure voted yes
- GENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation voted yes
With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.
Said vs. did5 statements · 16 votes
These tariffs, created by Donald Trump and supported by House Republicans, are a grave mistake
Broad tariffs on imported goods
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotU.S. House · 9
2026-11-03
| Nellie Pou D | incumbent |
| Rosemary Pino R | challenger |
| Terrisa Bukovinac Save Our Babies Party | challenger |
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.
These tariffs, created by Donald Trump and supported by House Republicans, are a grave mistake
In a February 2025 press release she called the 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico a mistake that will raise the cost of living.[5]
- YESResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.[6]
1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement
This GOP budget will destroy Medicaid and take health care away from millions of Americans.
In her February 2025 floor speech she opposed the Republican budget, saying it would destroy Medicaid and take health care away from millions of Americans.[7]
Cosponsored H.R. 3115, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 (119th Congress), which would ban the sale and manufacture of many semiautomatic assault weapons.
Documented position[11]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Cosponsored H.R. 2743, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (119th Congress), which would raise the federal minimum wage.
Documented position[12]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Cosponsored H.R. 12, the Women's Health Protection Act of 2025 (119th Congress), which would establish a federal statutory right to provide and receive abortion services.
Documented position[13]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- NOSAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).[15]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- 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]
Biography
Democrat Nellie Pou represents New Jersey's 9th Congressional District and won re-election on November 3, 2026; she was first elected in 2024 to succeed the late Rep. Bill Pascrell and sworn in on January 3, 2025. She spent decades in Paterson city government and then served 14 years in the New Jersey General Assembly and 13 years in the New Jersey Senate before running for Congress. She serves on the House Committees on Homeland Security and on Transportation and Infrastructure.[1][2][3][4]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Pou was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on May 20, 1956, and studied at Kean College, Rutgers University, and the University of Virginia.[4][2] She worked for the City of Paterson for more than 40 years, according to her official biography, including as Director of Human Resources and as Business Administrator; Ballotpedia lists her as chair of the city's Department of Human Resources from 1983 to 1997.[3][2] She also served on the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and the Passaic County Planning and Policy Partnership Committee, and on state commissions including the New Jersey Complete Count Commission for the 2020 Census and the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission.[2][3]
Pou entered the New Jersey General Assembly in 1997 as the first woman and first Latina to represent the 35th District. She chaired the Assembly Appropriations Committee, served as Deputy Speaker, and spent 14 years in the Assembly.[3][2] She was first elected to the New Jersey Senate in 2011 and re-elected in 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2023, serving 13 years, including as Senate Majority Caucus Chair and Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee.[3][2] She chaired the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus and was the first New Jersey legislator to serve as President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.[3]
Pou was selected in August 2024 to replace Rep. Bill Pascrell on the Democratic ballot after his death, and she won the November 2024 general election 50.8% to 45.9%.[4][2] She was sworn into the U.S. House on January 3, 2025, as the first Latina from New Jersey in Congress, and serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (as Vice Ranking Member of its Aviation Subcommittee) and the Homeland Security Committee.[3] She received an honorary doctorate from William Paterson University in May 2024 and was named to InsiderNJ's list of New Jersey's 100 Policymakers in 2020.[3] She won re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election with 66.7% of the vote to Rosie Pino's 31.8% and Terrisa Bukovinac's 1.5%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]
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 16 votes.
All 16 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 | With partyvoted no | 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. |
On the record
Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.
- actionServes on the House Committee on Homeland Security (Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence) and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (Aviation; Highways and Transit; Water Resources and Environment subcommittees).[18]
- action2026-07-07 · Announced $3 million in federal funding her office says it helped secure for road-safety improvements to Passaic Avenue in Kearny, including upgraded pedestrian crossings and traffic signalization.[19]
In their own words
Priorities
- Campaign website says she has been "committed to improving the lives of New Jerseyans," citing better schools, more affordable healthcare, and criminal-justice reform as career priorities.[20]
Campaign money$2.7M raised · 59% 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 $1.5M
- PACs & committees $1.0M
- Party $5,770
Largest committee contributions
- Emilys List PAC$13K
- National Automobile Dealers Association Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- New York Life Insurance Company Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- Ameripac: the Fund for a Greater America PAC$10K
- International Association of Firefighters Interested in Registration and Education PAC PAC$10K
- Moms Fed Up PAC$10K
- NEA Fund for Children and Public Education PAC$10K
- National Association of Realtors Political Action Committee 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/nellie-pou
Where they stood out
Voted against most of their party on 15 of 469 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (7), Rights & public safety (5), Foreign affairs & defense (2)
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 ↗
No Aid for Ghost Students Act
What it does: No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish an identity fraud detection system for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 36–172, Republicans 212–0
Jun 10, 2026Official record ↗
Cashless Bail Reporting Act
What it does: Cashless Bail Reporting Act This bill requires the Department of Justice to publish annually a list of state and local governments that permit individuals who are charged with certain criminal offenses that pose a cle…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 96–114, Republicans 211–2
May 14, 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 3 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.New Jersey's 9th District U.S. House election results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 2.Nellie Pou · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.About Nellie · Office of Rep. Nellie Pou Official record
- 4.Nellie Pou · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 5.Congresswoman Pou Blasts Destructive Trump Tariffs · Office of Rep. Nellie Pou · 2025-02-01 Official record
- 6.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
- 7.Congresswoman Pou Gives Maiden Floor Speech Blasting Cruel Republican Budget · Office of Rep. Nellie Pou · 2025-02-25 Official record
- 8.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
- 9.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
- 10.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
- 11.H.R. 3115, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 (Assault Weapons Ban of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 12.H.R. 2743, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (Raise the Wage Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 13.H.R. 12, the Women's Health Protection Act of 2025 (Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 14.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
- 15.Roll call: SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-04-10 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.Nellie Pou — committee assignments · Ballotpedia Reference
- 19.$3 Million for Safer Streets in Kearny · Office of Rep. Nellie Pou · 2026-07-07 Official record
- 20.Nellie Pou · Ballotpedia Reference