Votes, bills and records by issue · 119th Congress
Education
Jeff Merkley
Democratic, Oregon
On Education, the 51 measures they backed give a position, but too few senators in each caucus have a position here to compare.
From votes
Too few votes for a position from votes: 2 votes cast, and a position needs 20.
From bills backed
51 measures · 7 sponsored · 44 cosponsored
Too few senators in each caucus have a position here to compare.
Exact figures
Positions are coordinates on the map's main axis. Only the distance from the typical Democrat and typical Republican means anything.
From bills backed
- Senator at −0.43
- Democratic caucus median −0.40, from 29 senators
- Republican caucus median 0.15, from 9 senators
Each mark is a senator. The vertical line is the typical senator in that caucus.
A position shows which senators someone votes or legislates alongside, not whether they are for or against a policy. Issues come from each bill's topic, so an issue can include amendments on other topics. Left and right on the strips have no meaning of their own. Bills often have backers from both parties, so a position from bills is read against the medians for bills, not against the position from votes. See how these summaries are written.
- Contested vote:
- a roll call where the losing side got at least 10% of the votes cast.
- Party break:
- a contested vote against the majority of their own party.
- Cosponsor:
- a senator who signs on to support a measure, a bill or resolution, that another senator introduced. Bills backed means sponsored or cosponsored.
- Typical senator:
- the middle senator of a group, with half on each side. "17% of the way" means 17% of the distance from the typical senator in one party to the typical senator in the other.
Votes on this issue
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations".
Voted Yea
A bill to require institutions of higher education to disseminate information on the rights of, and accommodations and resources for, pregnant students, and for other purposes.
Voted Nay
Legislation on this issue
These are records, not a score, and sponsoring a measure does not mean it moved. Simple and concurrent resolutions cannot become law, and a proposal enacted through a companion House bill or inside a larger bill is not counted as becoming law here.
Sponsored
Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations".
Latest action, : Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 45 - 52. Record Vote Number: 190. (CR S3193)
Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Show the other 2 sponsored measures
Cosponsored
Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A resolution expressing support for the recognition of September 27, 2026, to October 3, 2026, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week".
Latest action, : Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S5073-5074)
Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Stop Social Security Garnishment Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Diversify Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Show the other 39 cosponsored measures
Debt-Free College Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Right to Read Act of 2025
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8513-8514)
Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
All Students Count Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A resolution recognizing the roles and contributions of the teachers of the United States in building and enhancing the civic, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States.
Latest action, : Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2205; text: CR S2203-2204)
Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Pay Paraprofessionals and Support Staff Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program".
Latest action, : Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S2407)
Restoring College Access and Affordability Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Proprietary Education Oversight Task Force Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1011-1015)
Professional Degree Access Restoration Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A resolution designating March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day".
Latest action, : Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S851; text: CR S804)
A resolution designating the week of February 23 through February 27, 2026, as "National Public Schools Week".
Latest action, : Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S716; text: CR S711-712)
Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S491)
A resolution designating the week of February 2 through 6, 2026, as "National School Counseling Week".
Latest action, : Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S495; text: CR S492)
Keeping All Students Safe Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A resolution expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2025, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day".
Latest action, : Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8183; text: CR S8135)
Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
REDI Act
Latest action, : Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
Protecting Students with Disabilities Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A resolution expressing support for the recognition of September 22, 2025, to September 28, 2025, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week".
Latest action, : Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S6737)
Head Start for America's Children Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Pay Teachers Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
POST Act of 2025
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
College for All Act of 2025
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
A resolution recognizing the roles and contributions of the teachers of the United States in building and enhancing the civic, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States.
Latest action, : Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2948; text: CR S2954)
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that paraprofessionals and education support staff should have fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
Latest action, : Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S2457-2458)
IDEA Full Funding Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A resolution expressing support for the local public K-12 schools of the United States and condemning any actions that would defund public education or weaken or dismantle the Department of Education.
Latest action, : Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1805-1806)
Safe Schools Improvement Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
PROTECT Students Act of 2025
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1706-1715)
A resolution designating March 7, 2025, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day".
Latest action, : Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1303; text: CR S1136)
JOBS Act of 2025
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Keep Our PACT Act
Latest action, : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A resolution designating the week of February 3 through 7, 2025, as "National School Counseling Week".
Latest action, : Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S527; text: CR S526)