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Portrait of John R. MoolenaarPhoto: unitedstates.github.io

MI · Officeholder

John R. Moolenaar

RU.S. Representative · MI-2

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. House · Michigan's 2nd District

Biography

Moolenaar is the incumbent U.S. Representative for Michigan's 2nd District, first elected in 2014. A chemist by training, he worked in business and education administration and served on the Midland City Council, in the Michigan House and in the Michigan Senate before Congress. He sits on the House Appropriations Committee and chairs the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.[1][2]

John Moolenaar was born in Midland, Michigan, in 1961.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Hope College in 1983 and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University in 1989.[1][2] According to his official biography, he began his career as a chemist and then worked in business development and as a school administrator. Ballotpedia lists employment with Dow Chemical and a role as director of the Small Business Center for the Middle Michigan Development Corporation.[1][2]

Moolenaar's public service began on the Midland City Council, where he served from 1997 to 2000.[1] He later served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003 to 2008 and in the Michigan Senate from 2011 to 2014.[1][2] He was elected to the U.S. House in 2014 and took office in 2015, representing the 4th District until the 2022 redistricting and the 2nd District since 2023.[1][3]

In Congress, Moolenaar serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where his official biography says he is Michigan's only member; his 2025-2026 subcommittee assignments are Agriculture; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education; and National Security, Department of State.[1][2] He chairs the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party and, according to his official biography, is a member of the Congressional School Choice Caucus.[1][2]

According to his official biography, Moolenaar and his wife, Amy, raised their family in Michigan and have six children and four grandchildren.[2] He ran unopposed in the August 4, 2026 Republican primary.[4]

  1. 1.John Moolenaar · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.Biography · Office of Rep. John Moolenaar Official record
  3. 3.John Moolenaar · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
  4. 4.Ben Ambrose · Ballotpedia Reference

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.

On the ballot

Full candidate research ›U.S. House · Michigan's 2nd District ›

Also on the ballot for this seat

Ben AmbroseCandidateDU.S. House · MI-2MichiganCharlotte MagoonCandidateGU.S. House · MI-2MichiganRichard SillsCandidateNatural Law Party in MichiganU.S. House · MI-2Michigan

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 11 of 469 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (11), Climate & energy (7), Foreign affairs & defense (3)

  • Amendment (Roy) 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 any funds in the bill from being made available to the United Nations. (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 Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–210, Republicans 136–80

    Jul 15, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Norman) to H.R. 7148 — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote adopted Amendment 2 to H.R. 7148, which would have removed earmarks (Community Project Funding) in the bill's Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education division. (AI-written)

    What it does: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2026 and provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homel…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–215, Republicans 136–75

    Jan 22, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Crane) to H.R. 7006 — Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote adopted Amendment 2 to H.R. 7006, which would have struck the bill's provisions funding the National Endowment for Democracy. (AI-written)

    What it does: Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to several federal departments and agencies…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–210, Republicans 127–80

    Jan 14, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Roy) to H.R. 7006 — Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote adopted Amendment 1 to H.R. 7006, which would have capped fiscal 2026 spending of two D.C. federal courts at $46,241,924 each and barred funds for the staff of two named federal judges. (AI-written)

    What it does: Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to several federal departments and agencies…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–211, Republicans 163–45

    Jan 14, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Perry) to H.R. 4553 — Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 32 to the Energy and Water appropriations bill, which strikes all funding for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. (AI-written)

    What it does: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Rec…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–209, Republicans 127–87

    Sep 4, 2025Official record ↗

How this is counted

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

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

S. 2403 · U.S. HOUSE

Retire through Ownership Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Retire through Ownership Act This bill allows the fiduciary of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to rely on a valuation provided by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser in determining the fair market value of the plan's securities if the securities are not traded on a national securities exchange (i.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 401–14·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9497 · U.S. HOUSE

Water Resources Development Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Water Resources Development Act of 2026 This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 415–9·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. HOUSE

Ratepayer Protection Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 417–3·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 213 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 214–208·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 10326 · U.S. HOUSE

PROOF Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act or the PROOF Act This bill requires states to provide such information as the Department of Justice (DOJ) may require for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting alleged fraud committed with regard to certain federally funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 217–207·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9576 · U.S. HOUSE

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The division investigates and prosecutes fraud against taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 352–72·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 5334 · U.S. HOUSE

An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments

A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to H.R. 5334, which add Russia sanctions, higher duties and an Iran Sanctions Act extension to the early-childhood educator deduction, sending the bill to the president. (AI-written)

Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for teacher expenses to include early childhood educators.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Passed 262–159·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.Con.Res. 93 · U.S. HOUSE

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran

NoVOTED

Motion: On Agreeing to the Resolution

This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 220–204·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 210 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 216–211·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9500 · U.S. HOUSE

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act This bill expands the federal tax deduction for personal casualty and theft losses by eliminating certain limits, including the requirement that such losses arise from certain disasters.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 408–17·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 634 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.