U.S. Senate · New Jersey

• NoConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — Senate passage · H.R. 7148 · Bill Passed 71–29 · 2026-01-30 roll call ↗The 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.
• NoNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Motion Agreed to 77–20 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The 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. This vote sent the House-Senate compromise version to the President, who signed it into law the next day.
• NoContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Bill Passed 60–40 · 2025-11-10 roll call ↗The 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. Eight members of the Democratic caucus joined nearly all Republicans to pass it.
• YesWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela — motion to discharge · S.J. Res. 90 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 49–51 · 2025-11-06 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 90 would have directed the President to end military hostilities within or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized, after U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the region. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed, blocking a vote on final passage.
• YesResolution to end the global tariff emergency · S.J. Res. 88 · Joint Resolution Passed 51–47 · 2025-10-30 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 88 terminates the national emergency the President used to impose broad tariffs on imports from most countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Unlike an earlier April 2025 attempt, this resolution passed the Senate, though it still required House and presidential action to take effect.
• NoOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — Senate passage · H.R. 1 · Bill Passed 50–50 · 2025-07-01 roll call ↗H.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 increases border security and defense spending. It reduces projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adds new work requirements; Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.
• YesWar Powers Resolution on Iran — motion to discharge · S.J. Res. 59 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 47–53 · 2025-06-27 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 59 would have directed the President to end U.S. military hostilities against Iran that Congress had not authorized, following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier that month. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed, preventing a vote on final passage.
• YesGENIUS Act — Senate passage · S. 1582 · Bill Passed 68–30 · 2025-06-17 roll call ↗The 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 comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation to clear Congress.
• YesResolution to end the global tariff emergency · S.J. Res. 49 · Joint Resolution Defeated 49–49 · 2025-04-30 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 49 would have terminated the national emergency the President declared in April 2025 to impose broad tariffs on imports from most U.S. trading partners. The resolution failed on a tied 49-49 vote.
• NoFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 — Senate passage · H.R. 1968 · Bill Passed 54–46 · 2025-03-14 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
• NoConfirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary · PN Kennedy · Nomination Confirmed 52–48 · 2025-02-13 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, overseeing federal health, food-safety, and drug-regulatory agencies. Senator Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against the nomination.
• NoConfirmation of Pamela Bondi as Attorney General · PN Bondi · Nomination Confirmed 54–46 · 2025-02-04 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Pamela Bondi, Florida's former attorney general, to serve as U.S. Attorney General, leading the Justice Department. The vote fell largely along party lines.
• NoConfirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense · PN Hegseth · Nomination Confirmed 50–50 · 2025-01-24 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, to serve as Secretary of Defense. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote after three Republican senators joined all Democrats in voting against the nomination.
• NoLaken Riley Act — Senate passage · S. 5 · Bill Passed 64–35 · 2025-01-20 roll call ↗The 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.

• actionSits on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Commodities, Derivatives, Risk Management, and Trade), the Committee on the Judiciary (Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights), and the Committee on Foreign Relations for the 119th Congress (2025–2026).[2]
• action2025-03-31 · On March 31–April 1, 2025, held the Senate floor for 25 hours and 5 minutes, breaking the record for the longest individual floor speech in Senate history (previously held by Sen. Strom Thurmond's 24-hour, 18-minute speech in 1957). The speech criticized policies of the Trump administration's first weeks in office.[2]
• bill2026-09-09 · With Rep. Adriano Espaillat, introduced the Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act, which would create a competitive federal grant program to help behavioral health organizations train community mental wellness workers to expand access to culturally and linguistically responsive mental health services.[3]

• ✕OpposesExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-20). Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.[7][8][9]

• ✕OpposesBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

  Voted yes on Resolution to end the global tariff emergency (S.J. Res. 49, 2025-04-30). Voted yes on Resolution to end the global tariff emergency (S.J. Res. 88, 2025-10-30).[10][11]

• ✓SupportsExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements.[8][9]

• ✓SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[8][9]

• ✓SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.[8][9]

• Born in Washington, D.C. in 1969; earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in sociology from Stanford University, a graduate degree in history from the University of Oxford, and a J.D. from Yale University.[2]
• Worked as an attorney for nonprofits before entering elected office.[2]
• Served on the Newark City Council from 1998 to 2002 and as Mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013.[2]
• Elected to the U.S. Senate in a 2013 special election and re-elected in 2014 and 2020; ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2019–2020 before withdrawing.[2]
• Elected chairman of the Senate Democrats' Strategic Communications Committee without opposition on December 3, 2024.[2]

Raised $18.9M · spent $7.0M · $23.1M cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

• ✕OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporations

  Calls for abolishing the IRS and current tax code in favor of a flat income tax of 10–12%, and eliminating the capital gains and estate taxes entirely.[5]

• ✓SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportations

  Supports completing the southern border wall, securing the northern border, expanding 287(g) state/local immigration enforcement partnerships, and stationing the U.S. military on the border.[5]

• ✕OpposesProtect legal access to abortion

  Describes himself as pro-life, with exceptions for the life of the mother and cases of rape/incest; opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and supports parental notification requirements.[5]

• ✕OpposesStricter gun laws

  Says he will oppose any government attempt to restrict Second Amendment rights and supports Constitutional Carry.[5]

• ✓SupportsPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)

  Supports school choice and competition between schools, and would redirect federal Department of Education funding to local school boards including for voucher programs.[5]

• ✕OpposesExpand public health coverage

  Says he opposes government-run healthcare, instead proposing universal Health Savings Accounts, a national health-insurance marketplace across state lines, and anti-fraud enforcement in Medicare and Medicaid.[5]

• Campaign platform calls for abolishing the IRS and the Internal Revenue Code and replacing them with a flat income tax of 10–12%, eliminating the capital gains tax and estate/death taxes.[5]
• Supports completing the southern border wall, securing the northern border, withholding federal aid from self-declared sanctuary cities/states, and stationing the U.S. military on the southern border.[5]
• Supports abolishing the federal Department of Education and dividing its roughly $100 billion budget among local school boards for public education funding and school-voucher programs.[5]

• Served in the U.S. Navy.[4]
• Career experience includes work as Deputy Mayor of Tabernacle, New Jersey; currently self-employed.[4]
• Ran for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in 2024 and lost that primary, finishing third with 11.3% of the vote.[4]

Raised $27K · spent $26K · $123 cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

• ✓SupportsExpand public health coverage

  Supports Medicare for All, saying insurance-based healthcare cannot adequately cover maintenance care.[1]

• ✕OpposesExpand immigration enforcement and deportations

  Supports abolishing ICE, closing detention centers, and a fast-tracked path to citizenship for immigrants without more than a misdemeanor conviction.[1]

• Says her platform centers on electoral reform, including a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. FEC.[1]
• Supports Medicare for All, arguing private insurance is structurally unable to cover ongoing healthcare needs.[1]
• Supports abolishing ICE and closing immigration detention centers, and creating a fast-tracked path to citizenship for people without more than a misdemeanor conviction.[1]

• Co-owns and operates a small commercial electrical contracting business with her husband, a Navy veteran and electrician; previously worked 20 years as a licensed property/casualty and health insurance underwriter.[1]
• Volunteer coordinator for the Interfaith Council of Homeless Families in Morris County for seven years; has experience as a foster parent.[1]

• Ran previously as the Socialist Workers Party's candidate for U.S. Senate in New Jersey in 2024, winning 9,806 votes (0.2%).[6]

• ✓SupportsRaise the minimum wage

  Supports a $31 minimum wage indexed to inflation.[1]

• ✓SupportsUniversal, publicly funded child care

  Supports free childcare, pre-K, and four-year college for all.[1]

• Supports just-cause firing protections, a $31 minimum wage indexed to inflation, at least 15 paid vacation days per year, and paid leave after miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.[1]
• Supports free school meals for all students, an increased child tax credit, and free childcare, pre-K, and four-year college for all.[1]
• Supports capping ATM fees at $2.00, capping credit card interest rates at 10%, and creating a public banking option.[1]

• Describes himself as a Monmouth County resident and retail worker who has held more than six retail jobs.[1]