Tom McClintock

Overview

Tom McClintock is a long-serving Republican representative from California whose voting record reflects a consistently conservative philosophy. With 593 recorded votes across a wide range of policy areas, he has established clear patterns: strong support for budget and appropriations measures aligned with fiscal restraint, frequent votes in favor of energy and environmental deregulation, and backing for tax-related legislation. He votes with his party on most procedural and substantive matters, though his opposition to certain defense bills — including the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act — suggests he applies a fiscal or constitutional lens even to traditionally bipartisan areas like military spending. On healthcare, his record is notably split — voting in favor roughly half the time and against nearly as often. This pattern is consistent with a member who supports healthcare reform in principle but opposes expansions of federal healthcare programs. His votes against motions to recommit on Medicaid and health premium bills indicate he sided with Republican leadership positions on those measures. McClintock's foreign policy votes stand out: he voted against measures in this category more often than for them (27% yea), including a vote against a War Powers Resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from Lebanon. On criminal justice, he voted in favor of every bill that came before him (13 of 13), and he supported technology-related legislation at a 90% rate. His labor votes skew toward opposition (33% yea), consistent with skepticism toward expanded federal labor protections. Overall, McClintock's record paints a picture of a legislator who prioritizes fiscal conservatism and limited government across nearly every policy domain, sometimes breaking from his own party when he views spending or federal authority as excessive.

Key Positions

• •Voted YEA on all 13 criminal justice bills that came before him, showing consistent support for law-enforcement and justice-related legislation.
• •Voted NAY on the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act and the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, suggesting fiscal or policy objections even on defense and veterans' matters that typically receive broad Republican support.
• •Voted YEA on a resolution disapproving an EPA rule granting California authority over nonroad engine pollution standards, reflecting opposition to state-level environmental regulations that go beyond federal standards.
• •Supported budget and appropriations measures at an 81% rate, including the FY2027 congressional budget resolution and continuing appropriations for FY2027.
• •Voted NAY on a War Powers Resolution to remove U.S. forces from Lebanon, siding with those who opposed congressional direction to withdraw troops.
• •Voted against labor-related bills more often than for them (33% yea), consistent with opposition to expanded federal workplace regulations.
• •Voted NAY on the sole reproductive rights measure in his record.
• •Supported technology legislation at a 90% rate (9 of 10 votes), indicating consistent backing for tech-related policy.