Pete Ricketts

U.S. Senator · NE

Republican

Want to know how closely Pete matches your views?

Where Pete 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
Cut taxes and reduce federal spending significantly
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Sponsored the Tax Cuts for Veterans Act and cosponsored the Death Tax Repeal Act; voted for the FY2026 congressional budget resolution.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 13 votes · 36 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Aug 2026 — Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
Voted Yes · Jul 2026 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Voted Yes · 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 · Mar 2026 — Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Voted No · 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".
+8 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Tax Cuts for Veterans Act of 2025
Sponsored — Social Security Check Tax Cut Act
Sponsored — No Capital Gains Allowance for American Adversaries Act
Sponsored — Tax Cuts for Veterans Act of 2023
Cosponsored — American Innovation and Jobs Act
+31 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
No clear evidence
We don't have clear evidence on this issue.
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Clear record
Reduce federal labor regulation; let states and markets set wages and conditions
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
Cosponsored the National Right-to-Work Act and voted to nullify the NLRB joint-employer rule under the Congressional Review Act (2024).
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 15 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · 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
Cosponsorships
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 Labor relating to "Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States".
Cosponsored — A joint resolution 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 a "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Cosponsored — Child Care Availability and Affordability Act
Cosponsored — National Right-to-Work Act
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 Labor relating to "Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act".
+10 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Some evidence
Move away from the ACA toward market-based insurance with broader consumer choice
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Voted for the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act expanding HSAs; cosponsored disapproval of the short-term limited-duration insurance rule; opposed premium tax credit extension.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 6 votes · 15 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · 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 Yes · Dec 2025 — Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Voted Yes · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Oct 2025 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
+1 more
Cosponsorships
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 Labor relating to "Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage".
Cosponsored — Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Health Care Prices Revealed and Information to Consumers Explained Transparency Act
Cosponsored — Protect Medicaid Act
Cosponsored — Campus Lifeline Act
+10 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Prioritize energy affordability and reliability; minimize climate-related restrictions on production
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Sponsored disapproval of EPA vehicle emissions standards; cosponsored the Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act; voted to open Arctic Refuge and federal coal to leasing.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 16 votes · 55 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · 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 No · 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 Yes · 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 No · 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 — 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 "California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Notice of Decision Granting a Waiver of Clean Air Act Preemption for California's Advanced Clean Car Program and a Within the Scope Conformation for California's Zero Emission Vehicle Amendments for 2017 and Earlier Model Years".
Sponsored — Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act
Sponsored — 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 "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles".
Cosponsored — Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025
Cosponsored — 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 "California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Advanced Clean Car Program; Reconsideration of a Previous Withdrawal of a Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision".
+50 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Some evidence
Federal restrictions on abortion early in pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Sponsored Dignity for Aborted Children Act and cosponsored SAVE Moms and Babies Act, which restricts FDA approval of abortion drugs.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 21 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · 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 Yes · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted Yes · 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
Voted No · Sep 2024 — Right to IVF Act
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Dignity for Aborted Children Act
Cosponsored — A resolution honoring Mississippi's Gestational Age Act.
Cosponsored — A resolution celebrating the historic anniversary of the June 24, 2022, decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
Cosponsored — Prevent Discrimination in Title X Act
Cosponsored — Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act
+16 more
What should federal firearms policy be?
Clear record
Expand firearm rights nationally (concealed carry reciprocity, reduced federal restrictions)
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
Voted to nullify the ATF stabilizing-brace rule and cosponsored the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and SHUSH Act deregulating silencers.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 2 votes · 22 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · 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'".
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts Your Rights Act
Cosponsored — Protect American Gun Exporters Act
Cosponsored — SHUSH Act
Cosponsored — RIFLE Act
Cosponsored — Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act
+17 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Clear record
Increase enforcement and tighten asylum standards; maintain current legal levels
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025); cosponsored the Asylum Abuse Reduction Act, backing detention and asylum limits while supporting existing legal visa programs.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 39 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
Voted No · 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 Yes · 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 · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — FENCE Act
Sponsored — Ensure Uniform Border Inspection Practices Act
Sponsored — Name, Image, and Likeness for International Collegiate Athletes Act
Cosponsored — Stop Illegal Reentry Act
Cosponsored — America’s CHILDREN Act of 2023
+34 more
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Clear record
Stronger sentencing, expanded law enforcement authority and funding
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act (2025) and to nullify D.C.'s revised criminal code; cosponsored the Back the Blue Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 5 votes · 26 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · 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 Yes · 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.
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Karly Rain Wood Act
Cosponsored — Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act
Cosponsored — Back the Blue Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2023
Cosponsored — HALT Fentanyl Act
+21 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
Active leadership of democratic alliances against authoritarian powers
Sponsored the AUKUS Improvement Act and a U.S.-Japan alliance resolution; cosponsored NATO and Ukraine support resolutions; voted for the FY2026 defense authorization.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 13 votes · 54 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 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 · Jul 2026 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Voted No · 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 No · 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 Yes · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
+8 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — BINSA Act
Sponsored — UNLOCK AUKUS Act
Sponsored — A resolution recognizing the United States-Philippines alliance on the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines, and the 10th anniversary of the landmark arbitral award upholding Manila's sovereignty against escalating aggression and lawfare by the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea.
Sponsored — Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act
Sponsored — A resolution expressing unwavering support for the United States-Japan alliance in response to political, economic and military pressure by the People's Republic of China.
+49 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Clear record
Strengthen election integrity through voter ID, citizenship verification, and signature checks
Cosponsored the SAVE Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register; voted to advance a 2026 bill requiring photo identification in federal elections.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 2 votes · 8 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Aug 2026 — A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Stop Insider Trading Act
Cosponsored — SAVE Act
Cosponsored — Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Equal Representation Act
Cosponsored — SAVE America Act
+3 more

Where Pete stands

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