James Comer Jr.

James Comer Jr. (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Kentucky's 1st Congressional District. He assumed office on November 14, 2016. His current term ends on January 3, 2025.

Comer (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Kentucky's 1st Congressional District. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Prior to serving in Congress, Comer was the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture from 2012 to 2016, and the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012. He also unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Kentucky in 2015.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

A writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal called Comer "instrumental in the final passage of a five-year farm bill," noting that he served on the conference committee that produced the final version of the bill.

Biography

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Comer is from Tompkinsville, Ky. He acted as the director of South Central Bank for 12 years and has been the co-owner of the Comer Land and Cattle Company. He previously served as president of CFB Foods Incorporated from 2001 to 2003 and president of Comer and Polston Insurance Incorporated from 1993 to 1995.^[5]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Comer's academic, professional, and political career:^[6]

2016-Present: U.S. Representative from Kentucky's 1st Congressional District
2012-2015: Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
2001-2012: Kentucky state representative
1996: Delegate, Republican National Convention
1993-1995: Chairman, Monroe County Republican Party
Farmer/Businessman
1993: Graduated from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green with a B.S.

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2023-2024

Comer was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

2021-2022

Comer was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

2017-2018

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Comer was assigned to the following committees:^[7]

State House

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Comer served on the following committees:

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Comer served on the following committees:

Agriculture and Small Business
Appropriations and Revenue
Banking and Insurance (Vice Chair)
Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs
Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture
Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations & Revenue
Interim Joint Committee on Banking & Insurance
Interim Joint Committee on State Government
Rules
Subcommittee of Budget Review on Primary & Secondary Education
Subcommittee of Budget Review on Transportation
Subcommittee on Rural Issues
Task Force on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023

The 118th United States Congress began on January 3, 2023, at which point Republicans held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-212), and Democrats held the majority in the U.S. Senate (51-49). Joe Biden (D) was the president and Kamala Harris (D) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023

Vote

Bill and description

Status

Yea

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 22, 2023, authorizing Department of Defense activities and programs for fiscal year 2024. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to pass the bill as amended by a Senate and House conference report.^[8]

Passed (310-118)

Yea

To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes.

H.R. 185 (To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes.) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to nullify a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order restricting the entry of foreign citizens to the United States unless the individual was vaccinated against the coronavirus or attested they would take public health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[9]

Passed (227-201)

Yea

Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023

The Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 (H.R. 2811) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to raise the federal debt limit before a June 5, 2023, deadline. The bill also sought to repeal certain green energy tax credits, increase domestic natural gas and oil production, expand work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, and nullify President Joe Biden's (D) proposed student loan debt cancellation program. This bill was not taken up in the Senate, and the debt limit was instead raised through the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[10]

Passed (217-215)

Yea

Denouncing the horrors of socialism.

H.Con.Res. 9 (Denouncing the horrors of socialism.) was a resolution approved by the House of Representatives denouncing socialism and opposing the implementation of socialist policies in the United States. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.^[11]

Passed (328-86)

Yea

Lower Energy Costs Act

The Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to increase domestic energy production and exports by increasing the production of oil, natural gas, and coal, reducing permitting restrictions for pipelines, refineries, and other energy projects, and increase the production of minerals used in electronics, among other energy production-related policies. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[12]

Passed (225-204)

Yea

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights".

H.J.Res. 30 (Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights".) was a joint resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) passed by the 118th Congress and vetoed by President Joe Biden (D) on March 20, 2023. This was Biden's first veto of his presidency. The resolution sought to nullify a Department of Labor rule that amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow retirement plans to consider certain environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in investment-related decisions. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.^[13] Click here to read more.

Passed (219-200)

Yea

Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020.

H.J.Res. 7 (Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020.) was a joint resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on April 10, 2023. The resolution ended the national coronavirus state of emergency, which began on March 13, 2020. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.^[14] Click here to read more.

Passed (229-197)

Yea

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3746) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on June 3, 2023. The bill raised the federal debt limit until January 2025. The bill also capped non-defense spending in fiscal year 2024, rescinded unspent coronavirus relief funding, rescinded some Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding, enhanced work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF), simplified environmental reviews for energy projects, and ended the student loan debt repayment pause in August 2023. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[15] Click here to read more.

Passed (314-117)

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

Speaker of the House election (January 2023) - 15th vote

In January 2023, the House of Representatives held its regular election for Speaker of the House at the start of the 118th Congress. Voting began on January 3, and ended on January 7. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was elected speaker of the House in a 216-212 vote during the 15th round of voting. In order to elect a Speaker of the House, a majority of votes cast for a person by name was required.^[16] Click here to read more.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) (216-212)

Nay

Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.

H.Res. 757 (Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that removed Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his position as Speaker of the House. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.^[17] Click here to read more.

Passed (216-210)

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.)

Speaker of the House election (October 2023) - 4th vote

In October 2023, following Rep. Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) removal as Speaker of the House, the House of Representatives held another election for the position. Voting began on October 17 and ended on October 25. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected Speaker of the House in a 220-209 vote in the fourth round of voting. In order to elect a Speaker of the House, a majority of votes cast for a person by name was required.^[18] Click here to read more.

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) (220-209)

Yea

Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes.

H.Res. 918 (Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that formally authorized an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden (D). The inquiry focused on allegations that Biden used his influence as vice president from 2009 to 2017 to improperly profit from his son Hunter Biden's business dealings. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.^[19] Click here to read more.

Passed (221-212)

Yea

Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives.

H.Res. 878 (Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives.) was a resolution passed by the House of Representatives that removed Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from office following a House Ethics Committee investigation that determined there was substantial evidence that Santos violated the law during his 2020 and 2022 campaigns. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the House.^[20]

Passed (311-114)

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes (click "show" to expand or "hide" to contract)

Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023

The 117th United States Congress began on January 3, 2021 and ended on January 3, 2023. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-213), and the U.S. Senate had a 50-50 makeup. Democrats assumed control of the Senate on January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden (D) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D), who acted as a tie-breaking vote in the chamber, assumed office. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023

Vote

Bill and description

Status

Nay

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) was a federal infrastructure bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on November 15, 2021. Among other provisions, the bill provided funding for new infrastructure projects and reauthorizations, Amtrak maintenance and development, bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation, clean drinking water, high-speed internet, and clean energy transmission and power infrastructure upgrades. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[21] Click here to read more.

Passed (228-206)

Nay

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on March 11, 2021, to provide economic relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key features of the bill included funding for a national vaccination program and response, funding to safely reopen schools, distribution of $1,400 per person in relief payments, and extended unemployment benefits. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[22] Click here to read more.

Passed (220-210)

Nay

Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R. 5376) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 16, 2022, to address climate change, healthcare costs, and tax enforcement. Key features of the bill included a $369 billion investment to address energy security and climate change, an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, allowing Medicare to negotiate certain drug prices, a 15% corporate minimum tax, a 1% stock buyback fee, and enhanced Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement, and an estimated $300 billion deficit reduction from 2022-2031. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[23] Click here to read more.

Passed (220-207)

Nay

Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (H.R. 3617) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to decriminalize marijuana, establish studies of legal marijuana sales, tax marijuana imports and production, and establish a process to expunge and review federal marijuana offenses. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[24]

Passed (220-204)

Nay

For the People Act of 2021

The For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1) was a federal election law and government ethics bill approved by the House of Representatives. The Congressional Research Service said the bill would "expand voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It [would also limit] removing voters from voter rolls. ... Further, the bill [would address] campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices." The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[25] Click here to read more.

Passed (220-210)

Nay

Assault Weapons Ban of 2022

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives that sought to criminalize the knowing import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFD). The bill made exemptions for grandfathered SAWs and LCAFDs. It required a simple majority vote in the House.^[26]

Passed (217-213)

Yea

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (S. 1605) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 27, 2021, authorizing Department of Defense acitivities and programs for fiscal year 2022. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[27]

Passed (363-70)

Yea

James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023

The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 7776) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 23, 2022, authorizing Department of Defense activities and programs for fiscal year 2023. The bill required a 2/3 majority in the House to suspend rules and pass the bill as amended.^[28]

Passed (350-80)

Nay

American Dream and Promise Act of 2021

The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6) was an immigration bill approved by the House of Representatives that proposed a path to permanent residence status for unauthorized immigrants eligible for Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure, among other immigration-related proposals. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[29]

Passed (228-197)

Nay

Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (S. 3373) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 10, 2022, that sought to address healthcare access, the presumption of service-connection, and research, resources, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[30]

Passed (342-88)

Nay

Chips and Science Act

The Chips and Science Act (H.R. 4346) was a bill approved by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 9, 2022, which sought to fund domestic production of semiconductors and authorized various federal science agency programs and activities. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[31]

Passed (243-187)

Nay

Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021

The Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives. The bill proposed prohibiting governmental restrictions on the provision of and access to abortion services and prohibiting governments from issuing some other abortion-related restrictions. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[32]

Passed (218-211)

Yea

SAFE Banking Act of 2021

The SAFE Banking Act of 2021 (H.R. 1996) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives that proposed prohibiting federal regulators from penalizing banks for providing services to legitimate cannabis-related businesses and defining proceeds from such transactions as not being proceeds from unlawful activity, among other related proposals. Since the House moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill in an expedited process, it required a two-thirds majority vote in the House.^[33]

Passed (321-101)

Nay

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (H.R. 2471) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on March 15, 2022, providing for the funding of federal agencies for the remainder of 2022, providing funding for activities related to Ukraine, and modifying or establishing various programs. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[34]

Passed (260-171)

Nay

Equality Act

The Equality Act (H.R. 5) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that proposed prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system, among other related proposals. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[35]

Passed (224-206)

Nay

Respect for Marriage Act

The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 13, 2022. The bill codified the recognition of marriages between individuals of the same sex and of different races, ethnicities, or national origins, and provided that the law would not impact religious liberty or conscience protections, or provide grounds to compel nonprofit religious organizations to recognize same-sex marriages. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[36] Click here to read more.

Passed (258-169)

Nay

Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023

The Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 6833) was a bill approved by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on September 30, 2022. It provided for some fiscal year 2023 appropriations, supplemental funds for Ukraine, and extended several other programs and authorities. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[37]

Passed (230-201)

Nay

Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act

The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act (H.R. 7688) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to prohibit individuals from selling consumer fuels at excessive prices during a proclaimed energy emergency. It would have also required the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the price of gasoline was being manipulated. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[38]

Passed (217-207)

Nay

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 (H.R. 8) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to prohibit the transfer of firearms between private parties unless a licensed firearm vendor conducted a background check on the recipient. The bill also provided for certain exceptions to this requirement. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[39]

Passed (227-203)

Nay

Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act

The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act was a federal elections bill approved by the House of Representatives and voted down by the Senate in a failed cloture vote that sought to, among other provisions, make Election Day a public holiday, allow for same-day voter registration, establish minimum early voting periods, and allow absentee voting for any reason, restrict the removal of local election administrators in federal elections, regulate congressional redistricting, expand campaign finance disclosure rules for some organizations, and amend the Voting Rights Act to require some states to obtain clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice before implementing new election laws. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[40] Click here to read more.

Passed (220-203)

Nay

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938) was a firearm regulation and mental health bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on June 25, 2022. Provisions of the bill included expanding background checks for individuals under the age of 21, providing funding for mental health services, preventing individuals who had been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor or felony in dating relationships from purchasing firearms for five years, providing funding for state grants to implement crisis intervention order programs, and providing funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[41] Click here to read more.

Passed (234-193)

Nay

Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

This was a resolution before the 117th Congress setting forth an article of impeachment saying that Donald Trump (R) incited an insurrection against the government of the United States on January 6, 2021. The House of Representatives approved the article of impeachment, and the Senate adjudged that Trump was not guilty of the charges. The article of impeachment required a simple majority vote in the House.^[42] Click here to read more.

Passed (232-197)

Nay

Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022

The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act was a bill passed by the 117th Congress in the form of an amendment to a year-end omnibus funding bill that was signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 23, 2022. The bill changed the procedure for counting electoral votes outlined in the Electoral Count Act of 1887. Elements of the bill included specifying that the vice president's role at the joint session of congress to count electoral votes is ministerial, raising the objection threshold at the joint session of congress to count electoral votes to one-fifth of the members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, identifying governors as the single official responsible for submitting the certificate of ascertainment identifying that state’s electors, and providing for expedited judicial review of certain claims about states' certificates identifying their electors. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[43] Click here to read more.

Passed (225-201)

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2021

The 116th United States Congress began on January 9, 2019, and ended on January 3, 2021. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (235-200), and Republicans held the majority in the U.S. Senate (53-47). Donald Trump (R) was the president and Mike Pence (R) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2021

Vote

Bill and description

Status

Yea

Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2020

The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2020 (H.R. 1044) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives seeking to increase the cap on employment-based visas, establish certain rules governing such visas, and impose some additional requirements on employers hiring holders of such visas. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to suspend the rules and pass the bill as amended.^[44]

Passed (365-65)

Nay

The Heroes Act

The HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to address the COVID-19 outbreak by providing $1,200 payments to individuals, extending and expanding the moratorium on some evictions and foreclosures, outlining requirements and establishing finding for contact tracing and COVID-19 testing, providing emergency supplemental appropriations to federal agencies for fiscal year 2020, and eliminating cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatments. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[45]

Passed (208-199)

Nay

For the People Act of 2019

The For the People Act of 2019 (H.R.1) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to protect election security, revise rules on campaign funding, introduce new provisions related to ethics, establish independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions, and establish new rules on the release of tax returns for presidential and vice presidential candidates. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[46]

Passed (234-193)

Yea

CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on March 27, 2020, that expanded benefits through the joint federal-state unemployment insurance program during the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation also included $1,200 payments to certain individuals, funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and funds for businesses, hospitals, and state and local governments. This bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House.^[47]

Passed (419-6)

Nay

Equality Act

The Equality Act (H.R. 5) was a bill approved by the House Representatives that sought to ban discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity by expanding the definition of establishments that fall under public accomodation and prohibiting the denial of access to a shared facility that is in agreement with an indiviual's gender indenitity. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[48]

Passed (236-173)

Nay

Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) was a bill approved by the House that sought to ban firearm transfers between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[49]

Passed (240-190)

Nay

American Dream and Promise Act of 2019

The American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R.6) was a bill approved by the House Representatives that sought to protect certain immigrants from removal proceedings and provide a path to permanent resident status by establishing streamlined procedures for permanant residency and canceling removal proceedings against certain qualifed individuals. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[50]

Passed (237-187)

Yea

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (S. 1790) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on December 20, 2019, setting policies and appropriations for the Department of Defense. Key features of this bill include appropriations for research/development, procurement, military construction, and operation/maintenence, as well as policies for paid family leave, North Korea nuclear sanctions, limiting the use of criminal history in federal hiring and contracting, military housing privatization, and paid family leave for federal personnel. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[51]

Passed (377-48)

Yea

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on March 18, 2020, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing access to unemployment benefits and food assistance, increasing funding for Medicaid, providing free testing for COVID-19, and requiring employers to provide paid sick time to employees who cannot work due to COVID-19. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House.^[52]

Passed (363-40)

Yea

Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (H.R. 1994) was a bill passed by the House Representatives that sought to change the requirements for employer provided retirement plans, IRAs, and other tax-favored savings accounts by modfying the requirements for things such as loans, lifetime income options, required minimum distributions, the eligibility rules for certain long-term, part-time employees, and nondiscrimination rules. The bill also sought to treat taxable non-tuition fellowship and stipend payments as compensation for the purpose of an IRA, repeal the maximum age for traditional IRA contributions, increase penalties for failing to file tax returns, allow penalty-free withdrawals from retirement plans if a child is born or adopted, and expand the purposes for which qualified tuition programs may be used. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House. ^[53]

Passed (417-3)

Nay

Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act

The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) was a bill approved by the House Representatives that sought to address the price of healthcare by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate prices for certain drugs, requiring drug manufactures to issue rebates for certain drugs covered under Medicare, requiring drug price transparency from drug manufacturers, expanding Medicare coverage, and providing funds for certain public health programs. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[54]

Passed (230-192)

Yea

Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020

The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on December 20, 2019, providing appropriations for federal agencies in fiscal year 2020. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[55]

Passed (297-120)

Yea

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 (S. 1838) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on November 27, 2019, directing several federal departments to assess Hong Kong's unique treatment under U.S. law. Key features of the bill include directing the Department of State to report and certify annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous from China to justify its unique treatment, and directing the Department of Commerce to report annually to Congress on China's efforts to use Hong Kong to evade U.S. export controls and sanctions. This bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House.^[56]

Passed (417-1)

Nay

MORE Act of 2020

The MORE Act of 2020 (H.R. 3884) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to decriminalize marijuana by removing marijuana as a scheduled controlled substance and eliminating criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana. This bill required a simple majority vote from the House.^[57]

Passed (228-164)

Yea

Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020

The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 6074) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 6, 2020, providing emergency funding to federal agencies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Key features of the bill include funding for vaccine research, small business loans, humanitarian assistance to affected foreign countries, emergency preparedness, and grants for public health agencies and organizations. This bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to suspend the rules and pass the bill.^[58]

Passed (415-2)

Nay

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.J.Res. 31) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on February 15, 2019, providing approrations for Fiscal Year 2019. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House.^[59]

Passed (300 -128)

Yea

John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act

The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S. 47) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Doanld Trump on March 12, 2019. This bill sought to set provisions for federal land management and conservation by doing things such as conducting land exchanges and conveyances, establishing programs to respond to wildfires, and extending and reauthorizing wildlife conservation programs. This bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House.^[60]

Passed (363-62)

Yea

William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (On passage)

The William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and vetoed by President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020. Congress voted to override Trump's veto, and the bill became law on January 1, 2021. The bill set Department of Defense policies and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021. Trump vetoed the bill due to disagreement with provisions related to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the renaming of certain military installations, limits on emergency military construction fund usage, and limits on troop withdrawals. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House on passage, and a two-thirds majority vote in the House to override Trump's veto.^[61]

Passed (335-78)

Nay

William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Overcoming veto)

The William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and vetoed by President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020. Congress voted to override Trump's veto, and the bill became law on January 1, 2021. The bill set Department of Defense policies and appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021. Trump vetoed the bill due to disagreement with provisions related to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the renaming of certain military installations, limits on emergency military construction fund usage, and limits on troop withdrawals. This bill required a simple majority vote in the House on passage, and a two-thirds majority vote in the House to override Trump's veto.^[62]

Passed (322-87)

Yea

Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (S.24) was a bill passed by the 116th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on January 16, 2019, that requires federal employees who were furloughed or compelled to work during a lapse in government funding to be compensated for that time. The bill also required those employees to be compensated as soon as the lapse in funding ends, irregardless of official pay date. This bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to suspend the rules and pass the bill.^[63]

Passed (411-7)

Nay

Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. (Article 1)

The 2020 impeachment of Donald Trump (R) was a resolution before the 116th Congress to set forth two articles of impeachment saying that Trump abused his power and obstructed congress. The first article was related to allegations that Trump requested the Ukrainian government investigate former Vice President Joe Biden (D) and his son, Hunter Biden, in exchange for aid, and the second was related to Trump's response to the impeachment inquiry. The House of Representatives approved both articles of impeachment, and the Senate adjudged that Trump was not guilty of either charge. The articles of impeachment required a simple majority vote in the House. ^[64]

Guilty (230-197)

Nay

Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. (Article 2)

The 2020 impeachment of Donald Trump (R) was a resolution before the 116th Congress to set forth two articles of impeachment saying that Trump abused his power and obstructed congress. The first article was related to allegations that Trump requested the Ukrainian government investigate former Vice President Joe Biden (D) and his son, Hunter Biden, in exchange for aid, and the second was related to Trump's response to the impeachment inquiry. The House of Representatives approved both articles of impeachment, and the Senate adjudged that Trump was not guilty of either charge. The articles of impeachment required a simple majority vote in the House. ^[65]

Guilty (229-198)

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

For detailed information about each vote, click here.

Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Conference report) (HR 2)

Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018

Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.^[66]

Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2 (second vote))

Bill Passed (213-211) on June 21, 2018

Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance. It also proposed modifying the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as the food stamp program.^[67]

Voted Yea on: Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (HR 4760)

Bill Failed (193-231) on June 21, 2018

Proposed funding a border wall, limiting legal immigration, a mandatory worker verification program, allowing DACA recipients to apply for legal status, and preventing separation of families at the border.^[68]

Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018

Reauthorizes through FY2023 and modifies some Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs.^[69]

Voted Yea on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36)

Bill Passed (237-189) on October 3, 2017

Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill provided exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.^[70]

Voted Yea on: Kate's Law (HR 3004)

Bill Passed (257-167) on June 29, 2017

Proposed increasing criminal penalties for individuals in the country illegally who were convicted of certain crimes, deported, and then re-entered the U.S. illegally.^[71]

Voted Yea on: No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (HR 3003)

Bill Passed (228-195) on June 29, 2017

Proposed withholding federal funds from states and localities that chose not to follow federal immigration laws.^[72]

Voted Yea on: American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

Bill passed (217-213) on May 4, 2017

Proposed modifying the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.^[73]

Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 6157)

Bill Passed (361-61) on September 26, 2018

Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.^[74]

Voted Yea on: Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 5895)

Bill Passed (377-20) on September 13, 2018

Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.^[75]

Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 6157)

Bill Passed (359-49) on June 28, 2018

Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.^[76]

Voted Yea on: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 5895)

Bill Passed (235-179) on June 8, 2018

Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.^[77]

Voted Yea on: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S 2155)

Bill Passed (258-159) on May 22, 2018

Proposed exempting some banks from the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act^[78]

Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

Bill Passed (256-167) on March 22, 2018

Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.^[79]

Voted Nay on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

Bill Passed (240-186) on February 9, 2018

Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.^[80]

Voted Yea on: Further Extension Of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1892)

Bill Passed (245-182) on February 6, 2018

Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.^[81]

Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

Bill Passed (266-150) on January 22, 2018

Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.^[82]

Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

Bill Passed (230-197) on January 18, 2018

Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 16, 2018.^[83]

Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

Bill Passed (231-188) on December 21, 2017

Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.^[84]

Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

Bill Passed (227-203) on December 19, 2017

Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.^[85]

Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (HJ Res 123)

Bill Passed (235-193) on December 7, 2017

Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.^[86]

Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

Bill Passed (227-205) on November 16, 2017

Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.^[87]

Voted Yea on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

Bill Passed (216-212) on October 26, 2017

Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. (This bill proposed adopting the Senate's budget resolution.)^[88]

Voted Yea on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

Bill Passed (219-206) on October 5, 2017

Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027.^[89]

Voted Yea on: Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3354)

Bill Passed (211-198) on September 14, 2017

Proposed providing FY2018 appropriations for the federal government. It combined 12 appropriations bills.^[90]

Voted Nay on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

Bill Passed (316-90) on September 8, 2017

Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.^[91]

Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 601)

Bill Passed (419-3) on September 6, 2017

Proposed providing $7.85 billion for disaster relief requirements, including response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey.^[92]

Voted Yea on: Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (HR 10)

Bill passed (233-186) on June 8, 2017

Proposed amending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, among other acts.^[93]

Voted Yea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

Bill passed (309-118) on May 3, 2017

Proposed a $1.2 trillion budget to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.^[94]

Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)

Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515)

Bill Passed (351-66) on May 24, 2018

Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities^[95]

Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

Bill Passed (250-166) on January 30, 2018

Proposed providing appropriations for military functions administered by the Department of Defense and for other purposes, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.^[96]

Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018—Conference report (HR 2810)

Bill Passed (356-70) on November 14, 2017

Proposed authorizing FY2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths.^[97]

Voted Yea on: Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219)

Bill Passed (235-192) on July 27, 2017

Proposed making appropriations for defense, military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch, energy and water development, and for other purposes for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018.^[98]

Voted Yea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

Bill Passed (419-3) on July 25, 2017

Proposed providing congressional review and measures to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.^[99]

Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180, second vote)

Bill Passed (380-35) on July 28, 2017

Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.^[100]

Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180)

Bill Failed (241-163) on July 24, 2017

Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.^[101]

Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

Bill Passed (344-81) on July 14, 2017

Proposed authorizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It did not provide budget authority.^[102]

Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301)

Bill passed (371-48) on March 8, 2017

The $577.9 billion fiscal year 2017 defense spending bill proposed $516.1 billion in base budget funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding.^[103]

Elections

2024

Kentucky's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (May 21 Republican primary)

Kentucky's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (May 21 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1

Incumbent James Comer Jr. defeated Erin Marshall in the general election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	James Comer Jr. (R)	74.7	252,534
	Erin Marshall (D)	25.3	85,494

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 338,028
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Erin Marshall advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent James Comer Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Comer in this election.

Pledges

Comer signed the following pledges.

Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Americans for Tax Reform

2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1

Incumbent James Comer Jr. defeated Jimmy Ausbrooks in the general election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	James Comer Jr. (R)	74.9	184,157
	Jimmy Ausbrooks (D)	25.1	61,701

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 245,858
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Jimmy Ausbrooks advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent James Comer Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

David Sharp (R)

2020

Kentucky's 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Democratic primary)

Kentucky's 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1

Incumbent James Comer Jr. defeated James Rhodes in the general election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	James Comer Jr. (R)	75.0	246,329
	James Rhodes (D)	25.0	82,141

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 328,470
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. James Rhodes advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent James Comer Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1.

2018

See also: Kentucky's 1st Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1

Incumbent James Comer Jr. defeated Paul Walker in the general election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1 on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	James Comer Jr. (R)	68.6	172,167
	Paul Walker (D)	31.4	78,849

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 251,016
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1

Paul Walker defeated Alonzo Pennington in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1 on May 22, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Paul Walker	81.2	75,148
	Alonzo Pennington	18.8	17,398

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 92,546
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1

Incumbent James Comer Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 1 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		James Comer Jr.

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Kentucky's 1st Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Kentucky's 1st Congressional District seat was left open following incumbent Ed Whitfield's decision to retire. James Comer (R) defeated Sam Gaskins (D) and Terry McIntosh (Write-in) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Comer defeated Jason Batts, Miles Caughey Jr., and Michael Pape in the Republican primary. On the other side of the aisle, Sam Gaskins ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The primary elections took place on May 17, 2016.^[104]^[105]^[106]

**U.S. House, Kentucky District 1 General Election, 2016**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	James Comer	72.6%	216,959
	Democratic	Sam Gaskins	27.3%	81,710
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	332
Total Votes				299,001
Source: Kentucky Secretary of State

**U.S. House, Kentucky District 1 Republican Primary, 2016**
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
James Comer	60.6%	24,342
Michael Pape	23.3%	9,357
Jason Batts	13.9%	5,578
Miles Caughey	2.2%	896
Total Votes		40,173
Source: Kentucky State Board of Elections

2015

See also: Kentucky gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2015

Results

Primary

Comer and running mate Chris McDaniel were defeated in a narrow 83 vote victory by Matt Bevin and running mate Jenean M. Hampton in the Republican primary on May 19, 2015.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Republican Primary, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Matt Bevin/Jenean Hampton	32.9%	70,479
James Comer Jr./Chris McDaniel	32.9%	70,396
Hal Heiner/K.C. Crosbie	27.1%	57,948
Will T. Scott/Rodney Coffey	7.2%	15,364
Total Votes		214,187
Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

General

Republican Matt Bevin and his running mate, Jenean M. Hampton, defeated Attorney General Jack Conway and independent Drew Curtis.^[107]

Governor and Lieutenant Governor, 2015
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Matt Bevin/Jenean M. Hampton	52.5%	511,771
	Democrat	Jack Conway/Sannie Overly	43.8%	426,827
	Independent	Drew Curtis/Heather Curtis	3.7%	35,627
Total Votes				974,225
Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

2011

See also: Kentucky down ballot state executive elections, 2011

Comer won election as Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture in 2011. He defeated Rob Rothenburger in the May 17 Republican primary and Democrat Robert Farmer in the general election on November 8.^[108]

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, 2011
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	James Comer Jr.	63.8%	519,183
	Democratic	Robert Farmer	36.2%	294,663
Total Votes				813,846
Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

Commissioner of Agriculture Republican primary results
Party		Candidate	Vote Percentage
	Republican Party	a James R. Comer	66.67%
	Republican Party	Rob Rothenburger	33.33%
Total Votes			129,421

2010

See also: Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2010

Comer won re-election to the 53rd District Seat in 2010 with no opposition. He received 12,040 votes. Comer was also unopposed in the May 18 Republican primary election.^[109]

2008

On November 4, 2008, Comer was re-elected to the 53rd District Seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives with no opposition.^[110] He raised $5,700 for his campaign.^[111]

Kentucky House of Representatives, District 53 (2008)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
James Comer Jr. (R)		12,482	100%

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

James Comer Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

James Comer Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

James Comer Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

The following issues were listed on Comer's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

“

Agriculture: Family farms are the backbone of the First District. Owning a successful 2000 acre beef cattle, hay, timber, and grain farming operation, I know first-hand the hard decisions that farmers must make on a daily basis.

Debt & Spending: The national debt is now over $19 trillion. By comparison, the total debt when Obama took office was $7.5 trillion. This type of spending is unacceptable. We must get the spending in Washington under control so that we do not saddle our children and grandchildren with unmanageable mountains of debt. This is why I support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.

2nd Amendment: I am unwavering in my support of our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. During my time in the Kentucky General Assembly, I voted unfailingly to support gun rights and protect the 2nd Amendment. I am also a hunter and lifelong gun owner and advocate.

Life and Marriage: I am 100% pro-life and I oppose gay marriage. While I was a Kentucky State Representative, I cosponsored the 2005 amendment that made same sex marriage illegal in Kentucky. As a Congressman, I will always strongly support life and only support traditional marriage between one man and one woman. I will make sure that liberal, anti-family groups like Planned Parenthood never get one penny of our tax dollars.

Term Limits: Our founding fathers never envisioned a Congress where elected officials stayed in office for decades. In fact, most of the founding fathers were farmers. I support term limits and pledge to take a self-imposed term limit of 6 terms. I have also signed the U.S. Term Limits Amendment Pledge to co-sponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits Amendment.^[112]

”

—James Comer's campaign website, http://jamescomer.com/issues/

2015

In a speech announcing his candidacy for governor on September 9, 2014, he outlined his campaign's themes including lower taxes, local control over education and reduced government regulation over the coal industry.^[113]

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable candidate endorsements by James Comer Jr.
Endorsee	Election	Stage	Outcome
Donald Trump ^source (Conservative Party, R)	President of the United States (2024)	Primary	Won General

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

James Comer Jr. campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Kentucky District 1	Won general	$7,595,802	$5,431,654
2022	U.S. House Kentucky District 1	Won general	$1,649,490	$974,131
2020	U.S. House Kentucky District 1	Won general	$741,257	$507,694
2018	U.S. House Kentucky District 1	Won general	$721,796	$637,459
2016	U.S. House, Kentucky District 1	Won	$1,050,872	N/A**
2011	Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner	Won	$745,298	N/A**
2010	Kentucky State House District 53	Won	$9,009	N/A**
2008	Kentucky State House District 53	Won	$5,700	N/A**
2006	Kentucky State House District 53	Won	$8,250	N/A**
2004	Kentucky State House District 53	Won	$4,710	N/A**
2002	Kentucky State House District 53	Won	$10,649	N/A**
2000	Kentucky State House District 53	Won	$15,561	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

U.S. House Kentucky District 1

Website

Officeholder

U.S. House Kentucky District 1

Personal

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Ed Whitfield (R)	U.S. House Kentucky District 1 2016-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture 2012-2016	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Kentucky House of Representatives District 53 2001-2012	Succeeded by -

[show]

Kentucky's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Mitch McConnell (R)

Rand Paul (R)

Representatives

District 1

James Comer (R)

District 2

Brett Guthrie (R)

District 3

Morgan McGarvey (D)

District 4

Thomas Massie (R)

District 5

Hal Rogers (R)

District 6

Andy Barr (R)

Republican Party (7)

Democratic Party (1)

[Term-1] WDRB, "Attorney General Jack Conway sworn in for second term," January 2, 2012

[cong16-2] Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named cong16

[3] Tompkinsville News, "News Archives," January 27, 2000

[4] Kentucky State Board of Elections, "REPORT OF "OFFICIAL" ELECTION NIGHT TALLY RESULTS," June 22, 2000

[5] Project Vote Smart, "Rep. Comer"

[6] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "COMER, James, (1972 - )," accessed January 12, 2017

[7] U.S. House Clerk, ""Official Alphabetical List of the House of Representatives of the United States One Hundred Fifteenth Congress,"" accessed February 2, 2017

[8] Congress.gov, "H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024," accessed February 23, 2024

[9] Congress.gov, "H.R.185 - To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes." accessed February 23, 2024

[10] Congress.gov, "H.R.2811 - Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024

[11] Congress.gov, "H.Con.Res.9 - Denouncing the horrors of socialism." accessed February 23, 2024

[12] Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - Lower Energy Costs Act," accessed February 23, 2024

[13] Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.30 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to 'Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights'." accessed February 23, 2024

[14] Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.7 - Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020." accessed February 23, 2024

[15] Congress.gov, "H.R.3746 - Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024

[16] Congress.gov, "Roll Call 20," accessed February 23, 2024

[17] Congress.gov, "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.," accessed February 23, 2024

[18] Congress.gov, "Roll Call 527," accessed February 23, 2024

[19] Congress.gov, "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant." accessed February 23, 2024

[20] Congress.gov, "H.Res.878 - Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives." accessed February 23, 2024

[21] Congress.gov, "H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," accessed April 15, 2022

[22] Congress.gov, "H.R.1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022

[23] Congress.gov, "H.R.5376 - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023

[24] Congress.gov, "H.R.3617 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act," accessed January 20, 2023

[25] Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022

[26] Congress.gov, "H.R.1808 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023

[27] Congress.gov, "S.1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022," accessed April 15, 2022

[28] Congress.gov, "H.R.7776 - James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023," accessed January 20, 2023

[29] Congress.gov, "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022

[30] Congress.gov, "S.3373 - Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023

[31] Congress.gov, "H.R.4346 - Chips and Science Act," accessed January 20, 2023

[32] Congress.gov, "H.R.3755 - Women's Health Protection Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022

[33] Congress.gov, "H.R.1996 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022

[34] Congress.gov, "H.R.2471 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022," accessed January 20, 2023

[35] Congress.gov, "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 15, 2022

[36] Congress.gov, "H.R.8404 - Respect for Marriage Act," accessed January 20, 2023

[37] Congress.gov, "H.R.6833 - Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023

[38] Congress.gov, "H.R.7688 - Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act," accessed January 20, 2023

[39] Congress.gov, "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021," accessed January 20, 2023

[40] Congress.gov, "H.R.5746 - Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act," accessed January 20, 2023

[41] Congress.gov, "S.2938 - Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," accessed January 20, 2023

[42] Congress.gov, "H.Res.24 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.," accessed April 15, 2022

[43] Congress.gov, "H.R.2617 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023

[44] Congress.gov, "H.R.1044 - Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2020," accessed March 22, 2024

[45] Congress.gov, "H.R.6800 - The Heroes Act," accessed April 23, 2024

[46] Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2019," accessed April 23, 2024

[47] Congress.gov, "H.R.748 - CARES Act," accessed April 23, 2024

[48] Congress.gov, "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 23, 2024

[49] Congress.gov, "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019," accessed April 23, 2024

[50] Congress.gov, "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024

[51] Congress.gov, "S.1790 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020," accessed April 27, 2024

[52] Congress.gov, "H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act," accessed April 24, 2024

[53] Congress.gov, "H.R.1994 - Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024

[54] Congress.gov, "H.R.3 - Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act," accessed March 22, 2024

[55] Congress.gov, "H.R.1865 - Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020," accessed April 27, 2024

[56] Congress.gov, "S.1838 - Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024

[57] Congress.gov, "H.R.3884 - MORE Act of 2020," accessed April 27, 2024

[58] Congress.gov, "H.R.6074 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020," accessed April 27, 2024

[59] Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.31 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019," accessed April 27, 2024

[60] Congress.gov, "S.47 - John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act," accessed April 27, 2024

[61] Congress.gov, "H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021," accessed April 27, 2024

[62] Congress.gov, "H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021," accessed April 27, 2024

[63] Congress.gov, "S.24 - Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024

[64] Congress.gov, "H.Res.755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors," accessed April 27, 2024

[65] Congress.gov, "H.Res.755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors," accessed April 27, 2024

[66] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed December 13, 2018

[67] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 284," June 21, 2018

[68] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 282," June 21, 2018

[69] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed March 12, 2019

[70] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 549," October 3, 2017

[71] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 344," June 29, 2017

[72] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 342," June 29, 2017

[73] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 256," May 4, 2017

[74] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 405," September 26, 2018

[75] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 399," September 13, 2018

[76] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 313," June 28, 2018

[77] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 257," June 8, 2018

[78] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 216," May 22, 2018

[79] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 127," March 22, 2018

[80] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 69," February 9, 2018

[81] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 60," February 6, 2018

[82] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 44," January 22, 2018

[83] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 33," January 18, 2018

[84] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 708," December 21, 2017

[85] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 692," December 19, 2017

[86] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 670," December 7, 2017

[87] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 637," November 16, 2017

[88] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 589," October 26, 2017

[89] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 557," October 5, 2017

[90] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 528," September 14, 2017

[91] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 480," September 8, 2017

[92] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 441," September 6, 2017

[93] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 299," June 8, 2017

[94] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 249," May 3, 2017

[95] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 230," May 24, 2018

[96] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 49," January 30, 2018

[97] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 631," November 14, 2017

[98] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 435," July 27, 2017

[99] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 413," July 25, 2017

[100] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 437," July 28, 2017

[101] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 407," July 24, 2017

[102] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 378," July 14, 2017

[103] Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 136," March 8, 2017

[soslist-104] Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State," accessed January 27, 2016

[primary16-105] The New York Times, "Kentucky Results," May 17, 2016

[genlist16-106] Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State," accessed September 6, 2016

[107] Kentucky Secretary of State, "Governor and Lieutenant Governor," accessed November 4, 2014

[108] Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings for Commissioner of Agriculture," accessed July 2, 2011

[109] Kentucky State Board of Elections, "Official 2010 Primary Election Results," accessed April 30, 2014

[110] Kentucky State Board of Elections, "Report of 'Official' Election Night Tally Results," November 26, 2008

[111] Kentucky House of Representatives, 2008 Money raised

[quotedisclaimer-112] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[gov-113] Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named gov

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	v • e State of Kentucky Frankfort (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2024 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
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James Comer Jr.

Biography

Career

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2023-2024

2021-2022

2017-2018

State House

2011-2012

2009-2010

Key votes

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2021

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General election for U.S. House Kentucky District 1

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2020

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2018

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2015

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2011

2010

2008

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