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Richard Blumenthal

U.S. Senator for CT

DemocraticSenate

Positions last updated Oct 12, 2026

In Congress since
2011
Years served
16
Age
80
Current term ends
Jan 3, 2029

Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress (via the public congress-legislators dataset). Photo: official congressional portrait.

Compare with another member

Where their record lies

Between the typical Democratic and typical Republican record

BlumenthalClose to the typical Democratic record. Richard Blumenthal's record sits 4% of the way from the typical Democratic record to the typical Republican record. 258 Democratic and 269 Republican members are shown; 13 of 530 sit in the middle.
Democratic258 members
Middle13 members
Republican269 members

Close to the typical Democratic record

Richard Blumenthal's record sits 4% of the way from the typical Democratic record to the typical Republican record.

Built from 6 topics that divide the parties. It describes a record of votes and statements, not a person. How this is calculated.

Their record by topic

Further from the center means more agreement with the quiz statement

Web chart of Richard Blumenthal’s positions on 8 topics; a larger shape means stronger agreement.Health careTaxes & spendingImmigrationClimate & energyGunsAbortionEducationForeign policy

Each point averages how Richard Blumenthal votes and what they say on that topic. A topic with no data is left out, not drawn as neutral. The sources are in the sections below.

Where they stand

Each topic is a statement from the quiz. "Agree" means their votes or words line up with it.

  • Health care

    “The federal government should guarantee health coverage for every American.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Strongly agree

  • Taxes & spending

    “Lowering taxes matters more than expanding government services.”

    Votes: Strongly disagree|Says: Neutral or unsure

  • Immigration

    “Border security should be the top priority in immigration policy.”

    Votes: Strongly disagree|Says: Neutral or unsure

  • Climate & energy

    “The federal government should require cuts to carbon emissions, even if energy costs rise.”

    Votes: Agree|Says: Agree

  • Guns

    “Federal law should require background checks on all gun sales, including private sales.”

    Votes: Neutral or unsure|Says: Strongly agree

  • Abortion

    “Abortion law should be decided by each state, not the federal government.”

    Votes: No data|Says: Disagree

  • Education

    “Public school funding should follow students to the school their family chooses, including private schools.”

    Votes: Disagree|Says: Disagree

  • Foreign policy

    “The U.S. should keep providing military aid to its allies abroad.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Strongly agree

Votes on key bills

The final vote on each bill Scope tracks (not every vote they have cast). Newest first.

Show 3 more votes

Source: House Clerk and Senate roll-call records via Congress.gov. For every vote they have cast, see GovTrack.

Words versus votes

Pro preview · free for now

No topic where votes and statements point in opposite directions (7 topics compared).

A difference is a prompt to look closer, not proof of anything. Votes come from a short list of tracked bills; statements come from speeches, press releases and bills they put their name on. See the evidence for each topic. On 3 more topics one side is neutral, so there is nothing to contrast.

What they work on

85 bills written, 494 signed onto. Top topic: Armed Forces and National Security

In the current Congress they have written 85 bills and signed on to 494 more. A bill someone writes shows what they want to change.

Topics of the bills they wrote

  • Armed Forces and National Security32
  • Health20
  • Crime and Law Enforcement9
  • International Affairs6
  • Education4

Most recent bills they wrote

  • S. 5490: A bill to designate Ukraine under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide certain nationals of ... (Sep 23, 2026)
  • S. 5448: Anti-Corruption Tax (ACT) Act (Sep 22, 2026)
  • S. 5445: GRACE for Military Survivors Act (Sep 22, 2026)
  • S. 5312: PROTECT Act (Aug 6, 2026)
  • S. 5306: Affordable Electricity Rates Act of 2026 (Aug 6, 2026)

Source: Sponsorship records from Congress.gov; each bill links to its page there.

Committees

5 committees: Senate Committee on Armed Services; Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs...

Committees study and rewrite bills before the full chamber votes.

Source: Committee rosters from the congress-legislators dataset (built from the House and Senate committee pages, as of 2026-10-12). Each committee name links to its official page.

Career in Congress

2011 to present
  • 2011 to presentU.S. Senate, CTDemocrat

Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Contact and learn more

Office phone, website, message form and where to read more

Contact their office

Read more about them

Source: Contact details from the member's official pages, via the congress-legislators dataset. Outside sites are not run by Scope.

The evidence, topic by topic

Every position links to the votes, quotes and bills it was built from

Health care

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 3 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on billRoll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14.

Votes behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Health care

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 11 cosponsored bills, 1 floor speech related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“Everybody needs healthcare, and it should be regarded as a human right.”

cosponsored bill: S 2149: Health Equity and Access under the Law for Immigrant Families Act of 2025cosponsored bill: S 2073: State Public Option Actcosponsored bill: S 1506: Medicare for All Actcosponsored bill: S 46: Health Care Affordability Act of 2025floor speech: HEALTHCAREcosponsored bill: S 2556: Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act

Statements behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Health care

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Taxes & spending

How they vote

Strongly disagree (-2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.

Votes behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Taxes & spending

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Neutral or unsure (0)

Based on 2 cosponsored bills, 1 floor speech related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“Donald Trump is stealing from the community health centers and domestic violence shelters to finance tax cuts for billionaires.”

cosponsored bill: S 1372: Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025cosponsored bill: S 343: Keep Our PACT Actfloor speech: TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Statements behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Taxes & spending

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Immigration

How they vote

Strongly disagree (-2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on bill

Votes behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Immigration

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Neutral or unsure (0)

Based on 1 cosponsored bill, 1 sponsored bill related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: S 398: NO BAN Actsponsored bill: S 625: Veterans Border Patrol Training Act

Statements behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Immigration

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Climate & energy

How they vote

Agree (+1)

Calculated from 1 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14.

Votes behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Climate & energy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Agree (+1)

Based on 2 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: SRES 36: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States, States, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, institutions of higher education, and other institutions cosponsored bill: SCONRES 18: A concurrent resolution recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's direct

Statements behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Climate & energy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Guns

How they vote

Neutral or unsure (0)

Calculated from 1 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Votes behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Guns

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 5 cosponsored bills, 3 sponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

sponsored bill: S 726: Ethan's Lawsponsored bill: S 889: Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025cosponsored bill: S 123: Handgun Permit to Purchase Actsponsored bill: S 3458: Background Check Completion Act of 2025cosponsored bill: S 3214: Background Check Expansion Act

Statements behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Guns

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Abortion

How they vote

No data

What they say

Disagree (-1)

Based on 3 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: S 2150: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025cosponsored bill: S 4879: Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Actcosponsored bill: S 4701: Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2026

Statements behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Abortion

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Education

How they vote

Disagree (-1)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.Roll call on bill

Votes behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Education

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Disagree (-1)

Based on 2 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: S 4297: Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Actcosponsored bill: SRES 133: 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

Statements behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Education

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Foreign policy

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.Roll call on bill

Votes behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Foreign policy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 7 cosponsored bills, 1 sponsored bill related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: S 1009: Baltic Security Initiative Actcosponsored bill: SRES 72: A resolution affirming that Hamas cannot retain any political or military control in the Gaza Strip.cosponsored bill: S 554: United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025cosponsored bill: SRES 442: A resolution condemning Russian incursions into NATO territory and reaffirming Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.sponsored bill: SRES 112: A resolution recognizing the partnership between the United States and Ukraine.

Statements behind Blumenthal, Richard's position on Foreign policy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Revision history

50 recorded changes
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 1 to 1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): 1 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 1 to 1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): 1 to 1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Abortion (statement): -1 to -1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): 0 to 0Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): 1 to 1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (statement): 0 to 0Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Health care (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (statement): -1 to -1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (statement): created at -1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): created at 2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Abortion (statement): created at -1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): created at 1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Health care (statement): created at 2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (statement): created at 2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026