Former U.S. Senator

John F. KerryNo longer serving

State MA Party Democratic In office 1985–2013

Fact sheet Spreadsheet

Bills introduced

537

As sponsor, from the 107th Congress

Became law

Of the bills they introduced

Cosponsored

2,470

Signed on to someone else's bill

Recorded votes

2,114

Roll calls tied to a bill

Floor speeches

1,321

In the Congressional Record, from 2001

537 bills introduced

Across 7 Congresses, most in the 112th at 121. In the 113th, 1 — 31 fewer than the median senator, who filed 32. Volume is not influence: the great majority of bills, from every member, never get a vote.

Bills introduced, against the typical senator 107th to 113th

median for the chamber, that Congress

Biography

A Senator from Massachusetts. Born in Fitzsimons Army Hospital (Colorado), December 11, 1943. Graduated, St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H. , 1962. Graduated, Yale University 1966. Served in the United States Navy 1966-1970, with service in Vietnam. Received numerous awards, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. Graduated, Boston College Law School 1976. Admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1976 and commenced practice in 1976. Assistant district attorney of Middlesex County, Mass. 1977-1982. Lieutenant governor of Massachusetts 1982-1984. Elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1984. Subsequently appointed to the remainder of the term left vacant by the resignation of Paul Tsongas, and took the oath of office on January 2, 1985. Reelected in 1990, 1996, 2002, and again in 2008, and served from January 2, 1985, until his resignation on February 1, 2013, to accept a Cabinet position. Chair, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (One Hundredth Congress), Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (One Hundred Seventh Congress [January 3-20, 2001. June 6, 2001-January 3, 2003], One Hundred Tenth Congress), Committee on Foreign Relations (One Hundred Eleventh to One Hundred Thirteenth [January 3, 2013-February 1, 2013] Congresses). Was an unsuccessful Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 2004. Secretary of State in the Cabinet of President Barack Obama, 2013-2017. Appointed by President Joseph R. Biden to serve as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (2021-2024). Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 3, 2024.

Focus

Drawn from the 537 bills this member introduced: the subjects the record assigns them, and the members who most often sign on.

Subjects

Government Operations and Politics 154
Commerce 150
Economics and Public Finance 119
Foreign Trade and International Finance 115
Congress 107
International Affairs 107
Small business 92
Taxation 81

Bills carry several subjects each, so these add up to more than 537.

Most frequent cosponsors

Times each has cosponsored a bill this member introduced.

Record

Every recorded vote, bill and floor speech, newest first.

Search these bills

Congress

Recorded votes tied to a bill, including procedural motions on it such as cloture. Votes on nominations are not listed.

Bill	Question	Voted	Date
HR 325	On Passage of the Bill H.R. 325	Not Voting	Jan 31, 2013
HR 325	On the Motion to Table H.R. 325	Not Voting	Jan 31, 2013
HR 152	On Passage of the Bill H.R. 152	Yea	Jan 28, 2013
SRES 16	On the Resolution S.Res. 16	Yea	Jan 24, 2013
SRES 15	On the Resolution S.Res. 15	Yea	Jan 24, 2013
HR 8	On Passage of the Bill H.R. 8	Yea	Jan 1, 2013
HR 1	On Passage of the Bill H.R. 1	Yea	Dec 28, 2012
HR 5949	On Passage of the Bill H.R. 5949	Yea	Dec 28, 2012

Bill	Title	Status	Latest action
S 48	A bill for the relief of Genesio Januario Oliveira.	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.	Jan 22, 2013
S 2318	Department of State Rewards Program Update and Technical Corrections Act of 2012	Became Public Law No: 112-283.	Jan 15, 2013
S 3331	Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012	Became Public Law No: 112-276.	Jan 14, 2013
S 3702	SERV Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.	Dec 20, 2012
S 3691	STRONG Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.	Dec 19, 2012
S 3689	Senior Airman Michael Malarsie Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.	Dec 18, 2012
S 3686	Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2013	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.	Dec 17, 2012
S 3665	Foster Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.	Dec 6, 2012

Bill	Title	Status	Signed on
SCONRES 74	A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp should be issued as a testimonial to the Nation's tireless commitment to reuniting America's missing children with their families, and to honor the memories of those children who were victims of abduction and murder.	Referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S13056)	Jun 8, 2004
SJRES 39	A joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.	Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 582.	Jun 7, 2004
S 2413	Medicare Assurance of Rx Transitional Assistance Act of 2004	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5375)	May 21, 2004
S 2467	A bill to clarify the calculation of per-unit costs payable under expiring annual contributions contracts for tenant-based rental assistance that are renewed in fiscal year 2004.	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.	May 20, 2004
S 1197	Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence Act of 2003	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7490-7491)	May 18, 2004
S 2336	Putting Prevention First Act	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4311-4315)	May 17, 2004
SRES 362	A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the dedication of the National World War II Memorial on May 29, 2004, in recognition of the duty, sacrifices, and valor of the members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in World War II.	Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6063-6064; text as passed Senate: CR S6063-6064)	May 13, 2004
SRES 358	A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that no later than December 31, 2006, legislation should be enacted to provide every individual in the United States with the opportunity to purchase health insurance coverage that is the same as, or is better than, the health insurance coverage available to members of Congress, at the same or lower rates.	Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR C5376)	May 12, 2004

Sections of the Congressional Record in which this member spoke or entered a written statement, as the Government Publishing Office tags them; floor business such as amendment texts is left out. Each links to the official Record.

Date	Record section	Where
Jan 30, 2013	Farewell to the Senate	Senate floor
Jan 29, 2013	Immigration Reform (Executive Session)	Senate floor
Jan 2, 2013	Resolving Spending Issues	Senate floor
Dec 31, 2012	The Fiscal Cliff	Senate floor
Dec 30, 2012	Vote on Nomination of Carol J. Galante (Executive Session)	Senate floor
Dec 21, 2012	Protect Our Kids Act of 2012	Senate floor
Dec 19, 2012	Introductory Statement on S. 3691	Senate floor
Dec 19, 2012	Statement on bills introduced	Senate floor

Committees

Current committees first, each with its role and years, and the subcommittees held now beneath it. Full history opens every role with its date and official record, and earlier subcommittee seats.

Earlier committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation CommitteeMember2001–2013

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jan 31, 2013	Congressional Record, S558 · Last recorded vote
Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard	Member	Listed Feb 2007 to Dec 2012	Hearing, Feb 2007
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security	Member	Listed Mar 2011 to Dec 2012	Hearing, Mar 2011
Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet	Chair	Listed Oct 2009 to Oct 2011	Congressional Directory, Dec 2009
Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security	Member	Listed Feb 2007 to Oct 2009	Hearing, Feb 2007
Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism	Member	Listed Feb 2007 to Sep 2008	Hearing, Feb 2007
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security	Member	Listed Feb 2007 to Sep 2008	Hearing, Feb 2007
Science, Technology, and Innovation	Chair	Listed Mar 2007 to Apr 2008	Hearing, Mar 2007
Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Sep 2006	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
National Ocean Policy Study	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Aug 2006	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness	Ranking Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Jul 2006	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
Fisheries and Coast Guard	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Jun 2006	Hearing, Mar 2005
Global Climate Change and Impacts	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Apr 2006	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
Science, Technology, and Space	Member	Listed Feb 2001 to Nov 2004	Hearing, Feb 2001
Communications	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Mar 2004	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine	Member	Listed Jun 2002 to Oct 2003	Hearing, Jun 2002
Oceans, Fisheries and Coast Guard	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Jun 2003	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine	Member	Listed Jan 2002 to Jan 2002	Hearing, Jan 2002
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine	Member	Listed May 2001 to Oct 2001	Hearing, May 2001
Communications	Member	Listed Feb 2001 to Apr 2001	Hearing, Feb 2001

Finance CommitteeMember2001–2013

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Finance Committee	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jan 31, 2013	Congressional Record, S558 · Last recorded vote
Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure	Member	Listed Apr 2007 to Dec 2012	Congressional Directory, Aug 2008
International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness	Member	Listed Oct 2009 to Apr 2012	Congressional Directory, Dec 2009
Health Care	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Mar 2012	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
Taxation and IRS Oversight	Member	Listed Oct 2011 to Oct 2011	Congressional Directory, Dec 2011
Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy	Chair	Listed Sep 2001 to Apr 2007	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
Long-Term Growth and Debt Reduction	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Mar 2005	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
International Trade	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Jun 2003	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002

Foreign Relations CommitteeChair2001–2013

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Foreign Relations Committee	Chair	Jan 21, 2009 to Jan 31, 2013	S.Res. 18 · Last recorded vote
	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jan 3, 2009	Congressional Record, S558 · End of the 110th Congress
International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection	Member	Listed Jun 2007 to Jun 2008	Hearing, Jun 2007
Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs	Chair	Listed Apr 2007 to May 2008	Congressional Directory, Aug 2008
East Asian and Pacific Affairs	Member	Listed Mar 2001 to Apr 2008	Hearing, Mar 2001
Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Jul 2007	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
International Economic Policy, Export and Trade Promotion	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to Jun 2006	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
International Operations and Terrorism	Member	Listed Mar 2005 to May 2006	Congressional Directory, Sep 2006
Central Asia and South Caucasus	Member	Listed Sep 2001 to Jun 2002	Congressional Directory, Oct 2002
International Operations and Terrorism	Member	Listed May 2001 to May 2002	Hearing, May 2001

Small Business and Entrepreneurship CommitteeMember2001–2013

Full history

Committee	Role	Served	Record
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee	Member	Jan 21, 2009 to Jan 31, 2013	S.Res. 18 · Last recorded vote
	Chair	Jan 12, 2007 to Jan 3, 2009	S.Res. 27 · End of the 110th Congress
	Ranking Member	Jan 15, 2003 to Jan 3, 2007	S.Res. 20 · End of the 109th Congress
	Chair	Jul 10, 2001 to Jan 3, 2003	Congressional Record, S7417 · End of the 107th Congress
	Member	Jan 25, 2001 to Jul 10, 2001	Congressional Record, S558 · Congressional Record, S7417

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Party, state and chamber are those of this member's most recent term. Bills and cosponsorships are held from the 107th Congress onwards and recorded votes from the 101st, so a member who served before those points will show fewer than they filed, or none. Committee service is held from the 107th Congress onwards, dated from the House and Senate resolutions and Congressional Record notices that seat and remove members. Subcommittee assignments are made inside each committee and carry no official date, so a subcommittee seat is shown from the first to the last printed hearing, Congressional Directory edition or official roster that lists the member. Vote counts cover roll calls tied to a bill; the chambers also vote on procedure and nominations, which are not listed here. Office, telephone and website are not shown for a member who has left, because the ones on file were theirs while serving. Records come from Congress.gov and the Biographical Directory of Congress.