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Portrait of Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.Photo: unitedstates.github.io

GA · Officeholder

Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.

DU.S. Representative · GA-2

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

Biography

Sanford Bishop Jr. is the Democratic incumbent in Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, which he has represented since 1993. A lawyer and Army veteran, he served in both chambers of the Georgia legislature before his election to Congress in 1992. He is the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies and is seeking re-election.[1][2]

Bishop was born February 4, 1947, in Mobile, Alabama, the son of the first president of Bishop State Community College and a librarian.[1] He graduated from Morehouse College in 1968 and earned a law degree from Emory University School of Law in 1971.[1][2] He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969, completed basic training at Fort Moore, Georgia, and received an honorable discharge in 1971 after Advanced ROTC training.[1]

Bishop lived in Columbus, Georgia, from 1972 to 1996 and was the primary partner in the law firm Bishop and Buckner, P.C.[1] According to his official biography, he served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1977 to 1990 and in the Georgia Senate from 1991 to 1992.[1] He was first elected to the U.S. House in 1992 and has served since 1993; his official biography says he is serving his seventeenth term.[1]

In Congress, Bishop serves on the House Appropriations Committee, as Ranking Member of its Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies Subcommittee and a member of the Financial Services and General Government and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs subcommittees.[1] Before 2003 he served on the Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, Post Office and Civil Service, and Intelligence committees.[1] He was a Senior Democratic Whip in the 112th and 113th Congresses, and Georgia Trend magazine has named him among the 100 Most Influential Georgians several times.[1] According to his official biography, Bishop is married to Vivian Creighton Bishop, has a daughter and a granddaughter, lives in Albany, Georgia, and is a deacon and trustee of Mount Zion Baptist Church.[1]

  1. 1.About Congressman Bishop · Office of Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. · 2026-10-21 Official record
  2. 2.Sanford Bishop Jr. · Ballotpedia Reference

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

On the ballot

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

Also on the ballot for this seat

Matt DayCandidateRU.S. House · GA-2Georgia

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 Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 32 of 462 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Climate & energy (13), Jobs & cost of living (8), Rights & public safety (8)

  • 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

    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)

    What it does: 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 t…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 58–152, Republicans 203–7

    Sep 16, 2026Official record ↗

  • Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act

    What it does: Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act This bill reauthorizes through 2031 the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) authority to carry out demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 19–188, Republicans 212–0

    Jul 23, 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 ↗

  • 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 ↗

  • Expressing support for law enforcement officers

    What it does: This concurrent resolution expresses support for law enforcement officers. It also appreciates the contributions and recognizes the sacrifices of law enforcement officers.

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 29–173, Republicans 213–0

    May 13, 2026Official 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”

NoVOTED

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

NoVOTED

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

YesVOTED

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”

NoVOTED

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.