The United States is facing a serious issue with legislative activity on the Senate floor. According to analysis by the Pew Research Center, the ideological gap between Republican and Democratic senators is wider now than it has been at any point in at least the last 50 years. As partisanship grows, achieving legislative agreement becomes harder. Government records show that the Senate spent an average of 999 hours in session per year between 2013 and 2022, down from an annual average of 1,163 hours from 2003 to 2012. Fewer public laws were passed in the last 10 years, as well.Â
Even though passing a bill through a divided Senate requires collective action, all sitting senators have the constitutional power to unilaterally propose new legislation by sponsoring a bill. Bills that originate in the Senate may be for the benefit of certain constituencies or the country at large. And even though most Senate bills do not become law, some senators appear less willing to make the effort to draft and introduce bills than others. (Here is a look at the 24 members of congress who did not last 100 days in office.)
While the senators on this list have introduced and passed fewer pieces of legislation than many of their colleagues, some have additional responsibilities, either chairing or sitting as ranking members in a nonpartisan committee, often an indication of seniority and areas of expertise. This list includes the Senate Budget Committee Chair, Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, as well as Susan Collins, a Republican senator from Maine who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. (Here is a look at the least popular senators in America.)
24/7 Wall St. identified the 41 U.S. senators who are doing the least by examining historical records from the federal government’s congressional database. Senators are ranked on an equally-weighted index composed of the number of bills they sponsored between January 2019 and October 2023 and the number of those bills that became law. Only the 81 senators who have been in office since 2019 or earlier were considered.Â
Why This Matters
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The consequences of the actions of the 100 American senators has wide-reaching effects on the economy and personal wealth. Each senator on this list must win reelection to remain in power, and though voter sentiment is influenced by any number of factors unrelated to bill proposals, many of these senators are not especially popular. Based on a survey conducted by public opinion research company Morning Consult in the second quarter of 2023, 21 of the senators on this list had approval ratings below 50%. Out of those senators, 11 are up for reelection in 2024. If these senators choose to run again, we want to help keep you aware of who they are.
Here are the US senators doing the least in office.
41. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming (R)
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 247
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Popularity: 70% approve, 18% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2007
40. Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada (D)
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- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 210
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 44% approve, 34% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2019
39. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky (R)
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- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 307
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
- Popularity: 48% approve, 40% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2011
38. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana (R)
Source: Mark Wilson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 234
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
- Popularity: 52% approve, 35% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2015
37. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York (D)
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 262
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 49% approve, 31% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2009
36. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii (D)
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 193
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 63% approve, 26% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2013
35. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland (D)
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- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 225
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 50% approve, 24% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2017
34. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina (R)
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 191
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
- Popularity: 54% approve, 30% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2013
33. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri (R)
Source: Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 218
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 44% approve, 39% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2019
32. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina (R)
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 179
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Judiciary Committee
- Popularity: 45% approve, 44% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2003
31. Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia (D)
Source: Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 245
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair
- Popularity: 39% approve, 55% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2010
30. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas (R)
Source: Pete Marovich / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 276
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 51% approve, 33% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2015
29. Sen. Christopher A. Coons of Delaware (D)
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 242
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Select Committee on Ethics Chair
- Popularity: 52% approve, 31% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2010
28. Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota (R)
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 202
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 55% approve, 27% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2011
27. Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia (D)
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- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 235
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Select Committee on Intelligence Chair
- Popularity: 51% approve, 32% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2009
26. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island (D)
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 201
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): Armed Services Committee Chair
- Popularity: 54% approve, 25% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 1997
25. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia (D)
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- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 160
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 47% approve, 36% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2013
24. Sen. Susan M. Collins of Maine (R)
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 191
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Appropriations Committee
- Popularity: 43% approve, 50% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 1997
23. Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington (D)
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 141
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
- Committee leadership role(s): Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair
- Popularity: 49% approve, 35% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2001
22. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota (D)
Source: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 205
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 45% approve, 33% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2018
21. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico (D)
Source: Samuel Corum / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 170
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): Joint Economic Committee Chair
- Popularity: 45% approve, 36% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2013
20. Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas (R)
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 103
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 4
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
- Popularity: 51% approve, 29% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2011
19. Sen. Michael F. Bennet of Colorado (D)
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 230
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 50% approve, 29% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2009
18. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan (D)
Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 149
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chair
- Popularity: 47% approve, 34% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2001
17. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island (D)
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 178
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Budget Committee Chair
- Popularity: 51% approve, 31% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2007
16. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington (D)
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 172
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Appropriations Committee Chair
- Popularity: 50% approve, 38% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 1993
15. Sen. Christopher Murphy of Connecticut (D)
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 167
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 54% approve, 33% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2013
14. Sen. Todd Young of Indiana (R)
Source: Photo by Zach Gibson / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 190
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 43% approve, 35% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2017
13. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona (I)
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 88
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 42% approve, 43% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2019
12. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota (R)
Source: Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 145
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 62% approve, 26% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2015
11. Sen. Angus S. King Jr. of Maine (I)
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 175
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 62% approve, 28% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2013
10. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina (R)
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 104
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 40% approve, 38% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2015
9. Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont (I)
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 167
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair
- Popularity: 63% approve, 36% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2007
8. Sen. Thomas R. Carper of Delaware (D)
Source: Jeff Fusco / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 129
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Environment and Public Works Committee Chair
- Popularity: 53% approve, 28% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2001
7. Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota (R)
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 155
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 47% approve, 36% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2019
6. Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska (R)
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 115
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Rules and Administration Committee
- Popularity: 48% approve, 34% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2013
5. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia (R)
Source: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 114
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee
- Popularity: 48% approve, 36% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2015
4. Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho (R)
Source: Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 111
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
- Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Finance Committee
- Popularity: 46% approve, 40% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 1999
3. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky (R)
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 123
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 32% approve, 61% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 1985
2. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah (R)
Source: George Frey / Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 109
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 50% approve, 41% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2019
1. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi (R)
Source: Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 84
- Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
- Committee leadership role(s): None
- Popularity: 43% approve, 39% disapprove
- Beginning of current term: 2018
Methodology
To identify the 41 U.S. Senators who are doing the least, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed historical data from the federal government’s congressional database. We ranked each of the 81 sitting U.S. Senators who have been in office since 2019 or earlier on an equally-weighted index composed of the number of bills they sponsored between January 2019 and October 2023 and the number of those bills that became law.
We also reviewed supplemental information on the senators who either chair, or are ranking members of, a committee in the current 118th Congress. Only committees with no party affiliation are listed.
Additional supplemental data on each senator’s approval rating is from public opinion research company Morning Consult, and is current as of the second quarter of 2023.
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