Janice D. Schakowsky

U.S. Representative · IL-09

Democrat

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Where Janice 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?
Some evidence
Raise taxes on corporations and high earners to fund major new programs
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Sponsored Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act; cosponsored Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act and Billionaire Minimum Income Tax Act funding Social Security and Medicare expansion.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 21 votes · 46 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8312) to establish fraud prevention and program integrity functions and data sharing authorities within the Department of Treasury and a permanent governmentwide Inspector General for Fraud, Accountability, and Recovery, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8464) to amend title 31, United States Code, to authorize pausing and segmenting payments, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1335) condemning actors seeking to defraud the United States Government, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that governmentwide fraud and improper payment prevention reforms will meaningfully improve the financial prosperity of the United States, and that Federal program eligibility should be verified before payment; and providing for consideration of the bill (S. 2) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 33.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Ukraine Support Act
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8646) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7726) to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to withhold funds from noncompliant States under such Act; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7892) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8872) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to target funds to low-income families, strengthen program integrity guardrails for State expenditure of funds, require measurement of improper payments, and establish goals for eliminating fraud and improper payments under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.
Voted Yes · May 2026 — Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.
+16 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act
Sponsored — Social Security Expansion Act
Cosponsored — Ending Corporate Greed Act
Cosponsored — CEO Accountability and Responsibility Act
Cosponsored — Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act of 2024
+41 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 Social Security Expansion Act; cosponsored Social Security 2100, Medicare for All, and Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act expanding benefits.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 42 cosponsorships
Votes
Did not vote · Apr 2026 — Clergy Act
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 · Nov 2024 — Social Security Fairness Act of 2023
Voted No · Nov 2024 — Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2023
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Social Security Expansion Act
Cosponsored — Close the Medigap Act of 2025
Cosponsored — Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust
Cosponsored — Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025
Cosponsored — Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2022
+37 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 PRO Act; voted yes on Faster Labor Contracts Act and Protect America's Workforce Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 14 votes · 46 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5408) to accelerate workplace time-to-contract under the National Labor Relations Act.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Faster Labor Contracts Act
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2988) to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to specify requirements concerning the consideration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary factors, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2262) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude certain activities from hours worked, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2270) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude child and dependent care services and payments from the rate used to compute overtime compensation; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2312) to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the definition of the term ''tipped employee'', and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4366) to clarify the treatment of 2 or more employers as joint employers under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Flexibility for Workers Education Act
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Tipped Employee Protection Act
+9 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act
Sponsored — Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2025
Sponsored — Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2023
Sponsored — Patriotic Corporations of America Act of 2021
Sponsored — Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2021
+41 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Some evidence
Transition to a single-payer (Medicare for All) system
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Cosponsored Medicare for All Act (HR-3069) and Medicare for America Act, establishing national single-payer health insurance covering all residents.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 17 votes · 52 cosponsorships
Votes
Did not vote · Apr 2026 — Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Do No Harm in Medicaid Act
Voted Yes · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6703) to ensure access to affordable health insurance; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 498) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit Federal Medicaid funding for gender transition procedures for minors; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3492) to amend section 116 of title 18, United States Code, with respect to genital and bodily mutilation and chemical castration of minors; and relating to consideration of the bill (H.R. 4776) to amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to clarify ambiguous provisions and facilitate a more efficient, effective, and timely environmental review process.
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
+12 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — IMPACT to Save Moms Act
Sponsored — Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act
Sponsored — Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2025
Sponsored — Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2025
Sponsored — Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2024
+47 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Rapid federal action to transition off fossil fuels
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Sponsored Future Generations Protection Act banning new fossil-fuel power emissions and fracking; cosponsored Keep It in the Ground Act; opposed energy-deregulation bills.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 22 votes · 54 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · May 2026 — Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025
Voted No · Apr 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7567) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2616) to require public elementary and middle schools that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to obtain parental consent before changing a minor’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 33) 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; providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1318) to direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify American-Jewish servicemembers buried in United States military cemeteries overseas under markers that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1346) to amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure under that Act, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
Voted No · Apr 2026 — HEATS Act
Voted No · Apr 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4690) to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to repeal certain Federal building energy efficiency performance standards, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1182) expressing support for rural communities across the United States as stewards of the environment, major suppliers of United States energy resources, critical providers of food production and manufacturing capacity, and drivers of national economic stability, and recognizing the work of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress in support of those vital communities; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1897) to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to optimize conservation through resource prioritization, incentivize wildlife conservation on private lands, provide for greater incentives to recover listed species, create greater transparency and accountability in recovering listed species, streamline the permitting process, eliminate barriers to conservation, and restore congressional intent; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5587) to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to waive the requirement for a Federal drilling permit for certain activities, to exempt certain activities from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes.
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act
+17 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Safe Hydration is an American Right in Energy Development Act of 2025
Sponsored — Recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science.
Sponsored — Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act
Sponsored — Safe Hydration is an American Right in Energy Development Act of 2023
Sponsored — Recognizing that the climate crisis disproportionately affects the health, economic opportunity, and fundamental rights of children, expressing the sense of Congress that leadership by the United States is still urgently needed to address the climate crisis, and acknowledging the need of the United States to develop a national, comprehensive, science-based, and just climate recovery plan to phase out fossil fuel emissions, protect and enhance natural carbon sequestration, and put the United States on a path toward stabilizing the climate system.
+49 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Clear record
Federal protection up to viability (~24 weeks) with later-term exceptions
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Cosponsored Women's Health Protection Act of 2025 protecting pre-viability access; voted for the 2021 and 2022 versions; sponsored Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 51 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6945) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to clarify the authority of States to use funds for pregnancy centers, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6359) to require institutions of higher education to disseminate information on the rights of, and accommodations and resources for, pregnant students, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 140) 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 No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Jan 2025 — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023
Sponsored — Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act
Cosponsored — Supporting the goals and ideals of the month of May as Sex Ed For All Month: Equity and Access for All.
Cosponsored — Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2023
+46 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 of 2023, GOSAFE Act, and Keep Americans Safe Act banning high-capacity magazines; voted for 2022 Assault Weapons Ban.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 20 votes · 47 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · May 2026 — Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act
Voted No · May 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1041) to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6047) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the dollar amounts for the payment of certain disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1329) to permit the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall, and for other purposes; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act
Voted No · Feb 2026 — Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act
Voted No · Feb 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1383) to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, and for other purposes; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules.
+15 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Expressing support for the designation of June 4, 2021, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2021 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month".
Cosponsored — Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2024
Cosponsored — Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2021
Cosponsored — COOL OFF Act
+42 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Clear record
Significantly expand immigration; limit interior enforcement
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Cosponsored Drain ICE Act, Alternatives to Detention Act, and Protecting Sensitive Locations Act; voted yes designating Haiti for temporary protected status.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 24 votes · 47 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
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 Yes · Apr 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1689) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act
+19 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
Cosponsored — Alternatives to Detention Act of 2021
Cosponsored — WISE Act of 2022
Cosponsored — LIFT the BAR Act
Cosponsored — Access to Counsel Act
+42 more
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Clear record
Major sentencing reductions, end qualified immunity, redirect funding to community programs
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Cosponsored George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Ending Qualified Immunity Act, and Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act; opposed cash-bail and fentanyl-scheduling bills.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 26 votes · 49 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · May 2026 — Cashless Bail Reporting Act
Voted No · May 2026 — Monitor Accountability Act
Voted No · May 2026 — Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act of 2025
Voted No · May 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5625) to direct the Attorney General to make publicly available a list of each State and unit of local government that permits cashless bail, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6260) to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit fraud in connection with posting bail; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8365) to provide for conditions on the appointment of monitors by courts, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 96) expressing support for law enforcement officers; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8469) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.
Voted No · May 2026 — Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
+21 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Fresh Start Act of 2022
Cosponsored — EQUAL Defense Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025
Cosponsored — Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2021
+44 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
Cooperative internationalism through institutions; minimize military action
Voted yes on War Powers resolutions removing forces from Iran and Venezuela; cosponsored Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act and People Over Pentagon Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 28 votes · 52 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2913) to authorize support for Ukraine, and for other purposes.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from Lebanon.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Ukraine Support Act
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 · May 2026 — Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
+23 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority in Iran and the continued violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Sponsored — Honoring the life of Dr. Paul Farmer by recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy and take actions to address past and ongoing harms that undermine the health and well-being of people around the world.
Sponsored — Calling for the establishment of a comprehensive, long-term development program to rebuild the Republic of Haiti.
Sponsored — Supporting Israeli democracy.
Sponsored — Condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.
+47 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Clear record
Major structural reforms: end the filibuster, expand SCOTUS, DC/PR statehood
Cosponsored Judiciary Act expanding the Supreme Court, Washington D.C. Admission Act, and Puerto Rico Status Act; opposed the SAVE Act citizenship-verification bills.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 21 votes · 48 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Feb 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Sep 2025 — District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025
Voted No · Jun 2025 — To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.
Voted No · Jun 2025 — Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 884) to prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2056) to require the District of Columbia to comply with federal immigration laws; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2096) to restore the right to negotiate matters pertaining to the discipline of law enforcement officers of the District of Columbia through collective bargaining, to restore the statute of limitations for bringing disciplinary cases against members or civilian employees of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (S. 331) to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, and for other purposes.
Voted Yes · Apr 2025 — SAVE Act
+16 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Shareholder Political Transparency Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Vote at Home Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Censuring Representative Paul Gosar.
Cosponsored — Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act
Cosponsored — Save Voters Act
+43 more

Where Janice stands

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