Jim McGovern: leadership and agenda positions

Rep. Jim McGovern · Democrat · Massachusetts, district 2 · House

Projected winner (race called, not yet certified), already serving.

Seat source: CNN 2026 House results feed, race 2026-HG-MA-2 (Massachusetts House 2) (CNN), published November 5, 2026, checked November 5, 2026; New York Times 2026 House results feed (AP race calls), MA-02 (AP via New York Times), published November 5, 2026, checked November 5, 2026

Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker: Supports

House Democrats pick their Speaker nominee in a secret caucus ballot; the House floor vote for Speaker in January 2027 is a recorded roll call. Statements below say which one they are about.

October 28, 2026 · Public statement on the record · General statement about the leader · stance: support

“Give him a chance,”
Summary: McGovern urged critics to give Jeffries a chance, saying Democrats need effective and competent leadership.

Context: Washington Post interview (quoted by NY1)

Source: One-on-one with Jeffries: Poised to make history, again (NY1 (Spectrum News)), published October 28, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
January 3, 2025 · Recorded roll-call vote (publicly observable) · House floor vote for Speaker (recorded) · stance: support · past record, not a commitment for the 120th Congress

Voted for Hakeem Jeffries in the January 3, 2025 House floor election for Speaker (roll call 2, 119th Congress); listed as 'McGovern' (bioguide M000312).

Context: House floor election of the Speaker, 119th Congress, roll call 2 (prior Congress; not a vote on the 2027 speakership)

Source: Final Vote Results for Roll Call 2: Election of the Speaker (Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives), published January 3, 2025, checked November 5, 2026

The agenda

Each issue is split into the specific demands on the letter. A past vote or bill is dated and shown as a record, not a promise.

Prices: Partial or mixed support

Take the power to set tariffs back from the president: Partial or mixed support
- February 11, 2026 · Recorded vote · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Voted Yea on H.J.Res.72, House roll 65, 2026.
  
  Context: Joint resolution terminating the national emergency used to impose tariffs on Canada (passed 219-211); ends one set of emergency tariffs rather than restoring Congress's tariff power in law, so a yea is partial.
  
  Source: Roll Call 65, 2026: H.J.Res.72, On Passage (clerk.house.gov), published February 11, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- July 2, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.2888 (Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act: bars the President from imposing or raising tariffs unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval, and voids the 2025 IEEPA tariff orders; returns tariff power to Congress.
  
  Source: H.R.2888 - Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published May 15, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
Ban companies from using personal data to charge people more (surveillance pricing): Supports the specific demand
- July 25, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.4640 (Stop AI Price Gouging and Wage Fixing Act of 2025), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Stop AI Price Gouging and Wage Fixing Act: prohibits surveillance-based price setting, meaning individualized prices based on personal data; a direct match.
  
  Source: H.R.4640 - Stop AI Price Gouging and Wage Fixing Act of 2025 (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published September 29, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
Outlaw price gouging: Partial or mixed support
- November 28, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.6318 (No GOUGE Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: No GOUGE Act: bans selling tariffed goods at unreasonably high prices for five years after a tariff; limited to tariffed goods, so partial.
  
  Source: H.R.6318 - No GOUGE Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published August 7, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- November 18, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.4966 (Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2025), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2025: bans grossly excessive prices by grocery sellers; limited to groceries, so partial.
  
  Source: H.R.4966 - Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2025 (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 23, 2026, checked November 5, 2026

Single-payer: Supports the specific demand

Single-payer: one public plan covering everyone, with no premiums, deductibles, networks or surprise bills: Supports the specific demand
- April 29, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.3069 (Medicare for All Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Medicare for All Act: establishes a single national health insurance program covering everyone with no premiums, deductibles or cost sharing; a direct match for single-payer.
  
  Source: H.R.3069 - Medicare for All Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 23, 2026, checked November 5, 2026

Child care and leave: Partial or mixed support

Cap child care costs at 7% of any family's income: No verified public position found
Paid family and medical leave for every worker: Supports the specific demand
- September 16, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.5390 (FAMILY Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: FAMILY Act (House): creates a national paid family and medical leave insurance program; matches paid leave for every worker.
  
  Source: H.R.5390 - FAMILY Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published November 3, 2026, checked November 5, 2026

Schools: Partial or mixed support

Fund public schools properly, starting with the special education (IDEA) money Congress promised: Supports the specific demand
- November 19, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.2598 (IDEA Full Funding Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: IDEA Full Funding Act (House): mandatory increases to reach the full federal 40% IDEA Part B share; matches the IDEA funding demand.
  
  Source: H.R.2598 - IDEA Full Funding Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 20, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
Free, high-quality pre-K for every family: No verified public position found

Housing: No verified public position found

Tie federal housing and transportation money to zoning that allows apartment buildings with shops on the ground floor: No verified public position found

Public power: No verified public position found

Public power: a national grid planned and coordinated by the Department of Energy, with states and local public utilities: No verified public position found

Iran war: Supports the specific demand

Pass a law requiring the president to stop hostilities against Iran that Congress never authorized: Supports the specific demand
- September 15, 2026 · Recorded vote · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Voted Yea on H.Con.Res.93, House roll 307, 2026.
  
  Context: War Powers concurrent resolution directing the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran; matches the demand in intent, though a concurrent resolution does not have the force of law. (Passed 220-204.)
  
  Source: Roll Call 307, 2026: H.Con.Res.93, On Agreeing to the Resolution (clerk.house.gov), published September 15, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- July 23, 2026 · Recorded vote · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Voted Yea on H.Con.Res.89, House roll 282, 2026.
  
  Context: War Powers concurrent resolution directing the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran; matches the demand in intent, though a concurrent resolution does not have the force of law. (Passed 214-208.)
  
  Source: Roll Call 282, 2026: H.Con.Res.89, On Agreeing to the Resolution (clerk.house.gov), published July 23, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- June 3, 2026 · Recorded vote · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Voted Yea on H.Con.Res.86, House roll 199, 2026.
  
  Context: War Powers concurrent resolution directing the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran; matches the demand in intent, though a concurrent resolution does not have the force of law. (Passed 215-208.)
  
  Source: Roll Call 199, 2026: H.Con.Res.86, On Agreeing to the Resolution (clerk.house.gov), published June 3, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- May 14, 2026 · Recorded vote · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Voted Yea on H.Con.Res.75, House roll 170, 2026.
  
  Context: War Powers concurrent resolution directing the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran; matches the demand in intent, though a concurrent resolution does not have the force of law. (Gottheimer resolution, failed 212-212.)
  
  Source: Roll Call 170, 2026: H.Con.Res.75, On Agreeing to the Resolution (clerk.house.gov), published May 14, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- April 16, 2026 · Recorded vote · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Voted Yea on H.Con.Res.40, House roll 114, 2026.
  
  Context: War Powers concurrent resolution directing the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran; matches the demand in intent, though a concurrent resolution does not have the force of law. (Meeks resolution, failed 213-214.)
  
  Source: Roll Call 114, 2026: H.Con.Res.40, On Agreeing to the Resolution (clerk.house.gov), published April 16, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- March 5, 2026 · Recorded vote · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Voted Yea on H.Con.Res.38, House roll 85, 2026.
  
  Context: War Powers concurrent resolution directing the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran; matches the demand in intent, though a concurrent resolution does not have the force of law. (Massie resolution, failed 212-219.)
  
  Source: Roll Call 85, 2026: H.Con.Res.38, On Agreeing to the Resolution (clerk.house.gov), published March 5, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
Cut off money for offensive operations Congress never approved: Supports the specific demand
- September 3, 2026 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.8707 (No Funds for Iran War Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: No Funds for Iran War Act: prohibits federal funds for military force against Iran not authorized by Congress; a direct match for cutting off money.
  
  Source: H.R.8707 - No Funds for Iran War Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 31, 2026, checked November 5, 2026

Executive power: Partial or mixed support

Emergency powers expire unless Congress votes to keep them: No verified public position found
Put tariffs back under Congress's control: Partial or mixed support
- February 11, 2026 · Recorded vote · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Voted Yea on H.J.Res.72, House roll 65, 2026.
  
  Context: Joint resolution terminating the national emergency used to impose tariffs on Canada (passed 219-211); ends one set of emergency tariffs rather than restoring Congress's tariff power in law, so a yea is partial.
  
  Source: Roll Call 65, 2026: H.J.Res.72, On Passage (clerk.house.gov), published February 11, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- July 2, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.2888 (Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act: bars the President from imposing or raising tariffs unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval, and voids the 2025 IEEPA tariff orders; returns tariff power to Congress.
  
  Source: H.R.2888 - Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published May 15, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
Protect inspectors general: Supports the specific demand
- March 27, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.2181 (Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025: lets the President remove an inspector general only for listed causes; a direct protection for inspectors general.
  
  Source: H.R.2181 - Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025 (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published September 9, 2025, checked November 5, 2026
Stop any president from refusing to spend money Congress approved (impoundment): Supports the specific demand
- September 16, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.5220 (Congressional Power of the Purse Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Congressional Power of the Purse Act: strengthens the Impoundment Control Act with GAO enforcement, advance notice, and penalties for officials who withhold appropriated money; a direct match.
  
  Source: H.R.5220 - Congressional Power of the Purse Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published September 28, 2026, checked November 5, 2026

Elections: Partial or mixed support

A constitutional amendment to end Citizens United: Supports the specific demand
- September 17, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.J.Res.122 (Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the authority of Congress and the States to regulate contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections and to enact public financing systems for political campaigns.), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Democracy for All constitutional amendment: lets Congress and the states regulate election contributions and spending and distinguish people from corporations; overturns Citizens United.
  
  Source: H.J.Res.122 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the authority of Congress and the States to regulate contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections and to enact public financing systems for political campaigns. (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 27, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- September 10, 2025 · Sponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Sponsored H.J.Res.119 (Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set limits on Federal campaign contributions and spending, prohibit corporate spending in the political process, require Congress to develop a system of public campaign financing for all Federal candidates who qualify for the ballot, and allow the States to set reasonable limits on campaign contributions and spending in State and local elections, and for other purposes.), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Constitutional amendment setting limits on federal campaign contributions and spending and barring corporate election spending; overturns Citizens United.
  
  Source: H.J.Res.119 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set limits on Federal campaign contributions and spending, prohibit corporate spending in the political process, require Congress to develop a system of public campaign financing for all Federal candidates who qualify for the ballot, and allow the States to set reasonable limits on campaign contributions and spending in State and local elections, and for other purposes. (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 5, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
Every voter in the country gets the option to vote by mail: No verified public position found

Filibuster: No verified public position found

End the filibuster so the Senate passes bills by majority vote: No verified public position found

Congress: Partial or mixed support

Ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks: Supports the specific demand
- January 14, 2026 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.6731 (Restore Trust in Government Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Restore Trust in Government Act: bars covered officials including members of Congress from buying covered investments and requires divestment; a direct match.
  
  Source: H.R.6731 - Restore Trust in Government Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 2, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- September 4, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.5106 (Restore Trust in Congress Act), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Restore Trust in Congress Act: bars members and their spouses and dependents from buying individual stocks and requires them to divest; a direct match.
  
  Source: H.R.5106 - Restore Trust in Congress Act (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 23, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
Add seats to the House: No verified public position found
Get rid of the debt ceiling for good: No verified public position found

Supreme Court: Partial or mixed support

Add seats to the Supreme Court: No verified public position found
Fixed 18-year terms for justices: Supports the specific demand
- May 13, 2026 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.3544 (Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2025), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act (TERM Act): justices confirmed after enactment serve one 18-year term in active service; a direct match.
  
  Source: H.R.3544 - Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2025 (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published November 3, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
An enforceable ethics code for the Supreme Court: No verified public position found
Stop a single senator from blocking a judge (end the blue slip veto): No verified public position found

Immigration: Partial or mixed support

A pathway to citizenship for people who already live and work here: Partial or mixed support
- July 23, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.4696 (Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929: updates the registry so people who have lived here at least 7 years can apply for a green card, which leads to citizenship; matches a pathway for people already here.
  
  Source: H.R.4696 - Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published October 23, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
- February 26, 2025 · Cosponsored a bill · past record, not a current commitment
  
  Cosponsored H.R.1589 (American Dream and Promise Act of 2025), 119th Congress.
  
  Context: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025: green cards and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS/DED holders only; covers part of the undocumented population, so partial.
  
  Source: H.R.1589 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 (119th Congress), bill status and cosponsors (govinfo.gov (GPO bulk BILLSTATUS, the congress.gov bill status record)), published November 3, 2026, checked November 5, 2026
Fix legal immigration so people who want to come the right way can: No verified public position found

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Jim McGovern