Brian Schatz

U.S. Senator · HI

Democrat

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Where Brian stands

Positions inferred from the public record. Each one shows our confidence level — and when the evidence isn't there, we say so.

What should the federal government's overall approach to taxes and spending be?
Clear record
Raise taxes on corporations and high earners to fund major new programs
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Sponsored Wall Street Tax Act; cosponsored Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act and Billionaires Income Tax Act; voted against tax-cut reconciliation bill H.R. 1.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 40 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted No · Feb 2026 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.
Voted Yes · Feb 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Interim Guidance Simplifying Application of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax to Partnerships".
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Wall Street Tax Act of 2025
Sponsored — End the Threat of Default Act of 2024
Sponsored — Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Sponsored — Wall Street Tax Act of 2023
Sponsored — Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
+35 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
Clear record
Expand benefits and broaden eligibility
Reduce or restructure benefitsExpand benefits
Sponsored Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act lifting the payroll cap and expanding benefits; cosponsored Medicare for All Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 10 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Dec 2024 — Social Security Fairness Act of 2023
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2025
Sponsored — Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2024
Sponsored — Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2021
Cosponsored — ASSET Act
Cosponsored — Medicare for All Act of 2022
+5 more
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Clear record
Significantly raise the minimum wage and strengthen union organizing rights
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
Cosponsored Raise the Wage Act and the Richard L. Trumka PRO Act; voted for Paycheck Fairness Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 44 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Apr 2024 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Voted Yes · Jul 2023 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
Voted Yes · Dec 2022 — Providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100.
Voted Yes · Dec 2022 — To provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Empowering App-Based Workers Act
Sponsored — Rights for the TSA Workforce Act
Sponsored — FAIR Act
Sponsored — Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2024
Sponsored — Federal Labor-Management Partnership Act of 2024
+39 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Clear record
Establish a public option available to all, alongside private insurance
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Sponsored State Public Option Act; cosponsored Choose Medicare Act and Health Care Affordability Act extending ACA premium tax credits.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 6 votes · 27 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability".
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted Yes · Oct 2025 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
+1 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — State Public Option Act
Sponsored — Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act
Sponsored — CONNECT for Health Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Health Care Affordability Act of 2024
Cosponsored — Better Care Better Jobs Act
+22 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Set aggressive emissions targets with binding federal requirements
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Sponsored Climate Change Financial Risk Act, cosponsored carbon-fee Save Our Future Act and National Climate Bank Act; voted against fossil-leasing rollbacks.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 16 votes · 48 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
+11 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Pacific POWER Act
Sponsored — Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2025
Sponsored — Carbon Dioxide Removal Research and Development Act of 2023
Sponsored — Red Hill WAI Act
Sponsored — FOREST Act of 2021
+43 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Clear record
Federal protection for abortion access throughout pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Cosponsored Women's Health Protection Act barring abortion restrictions; voted for cloture on it and against Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 25 cosponsorships
Votes
Did not vote · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Jan 2025 — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voted Yes · Sep 2024 — Right to IVF Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act of 2025
Sponsored — State Public Option Act
Cosponsored — Access to Family Building Act
Cosponsored — Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
+20 more
What should federal firearms policy be?
Clear record
Restrict semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines; broader background checks
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
Cosponsored Assault Weapons Ban and Background Check Expansion Act; voted for Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 23 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Jun 2023 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".
Voted Yes · Jun 2022 — Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act
Sponsored — State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act
Cosponsored — Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Age 21 Act
Cosponsored — Assault Weapons Ban of 2023
+18 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Clear record
Significantly expand immigration; limit interior enforcement
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Cosponsored U.S. Citizenship Act and Protecting Sensitive Locations Act; voted against Laken Riley Act and Secure America Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 24 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Debt-Free College Act of 2023
Cosponsored — U.S. Citizenship Act
Cosponsored — PROTECT Immigration Act
Cosponsored — Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025
+19 more
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Some evidence
End mandatory minimums, set federal policing standards, decriminalize drugs
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Cosponsored Smarter Sentencing Act and Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act; sponsored Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 21 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted Yes · Mar 2025 — HALT Fentanyl Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2024 — Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Voted No · May 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Voted Yes · Mar 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2023
Sponsored — Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act
Sponsored — Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act.
Sponsored — PREP Act
Sponsored — State Justice Improvement Act
+16 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
Cooperative internationalism through institutions; minimize military action
Voted yes on Iran/Venezuela War Powers resolutions and tariff termination; cosponsored Iraq AUMF repeal, USAID-essential resolution, and UNCLOS ratification.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 58 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress.
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Global Press Freedom Act
Sponsored — FOREST Act of 2021
Sponsored — Honoring OCEANIA Act
Cosponsored — A resolution acknowledging the fourth anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming support for the people of Ukraine, and emphasizing the importance of robust United States security guarantees within a transatlantic commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty.
Cosponsored — A bill to repeal the authorizations for use of military force against Iraq.
+53 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Clear record
Major structural reforms: end the filibuster, expand SCOTUS, DC/PR statehood
Sponsored constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College; cosponsored Washington D.C. Admission Act, Puerto Rico statehood, and Supreme Court term limits.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 38 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Sep 2022 — DISCLOSE Act of 2022
Voted No · Jan 2022 — Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
Voted Yes · Nov 2021 — John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
Voted Yes · Oct 2021 — Freedom to Vote Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to abolish the electoral college and to provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States.
Sponsored — Ensuring a Fair and Accurate Census Act
Sponsored — Honest Census Communications Act
Cosponsored — John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
Cosponsored — Vote at Home Act of 2021
+33 more

Where Brian stands

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