US Senators Making the Biggest Impact

The Senate consists of 100 lawmakers – two from each state, and its’ constitutional powers include oversight over the federal budget, declaring wars, approving or rejecting presidential appointments, conducting impeachment trials, and passing laws.

Typically, any meaningful legislative action within the Senate requires collective action, but individual lawmakers also wield considerable power. Any sitting U.S. senator – regardless of tenure, committee assignments, or leadership roles – can 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. Even though most Senate bills do not become law, some senators appear far more willing to make the effort to draft and introduce bills than others. (Here is a look at the least popular senators in America.)

Half of these senators have the additional responsibilities of either chairing or sitting as ranking members in a nonpartisan committee, often an indication of seniority and areas of expertise. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat representing Minnesota, not only chairs three committees outside of her party’s conference but also ranks highly on this list, having sponsored 492 bills since 2019, including seven that ultimately became law. (Here is a look at the senators doing the most to regulate guns.)

Regardless of years in office, in order to remain in the Senate each senator must win reelection to stay in power, including those listed here, and voter sentiment is influenced by any number of factors unrelated to bill proposals. Based on a survey conducted by public opinion research company Morning Consult in the second quarter of 2023, 18 of the senators on this list had approval ratings below 50%. (Here is a look at the least popular senators in America.)

24/7 Wall St. identified the U.S. senators making the biggest impact by using 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.

Why This Matters

Even for those Americans who manage to stay relatively uninvested in the daily flow of politics, the consequences of the actions of the 100 American senators has wide-reaching effects on the economy and personal wealth. With a major election approaching, we want to help you understand who is making these decisions.

Here are the US senators making the biggest impact:

40. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 287
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 52% approve, 38% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

39. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 332
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 0
Committee leadership role(s): Finance Committee and Joint Committee on Taxation Chair
Popularity: 51% approve, 30% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

38. Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan of New Hampshire (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 238
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 52% approve, 38% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

37. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 272
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 51% approve, 37% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

36. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 243
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 46% approve, 41% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

35. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 311
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 52% approve, 34% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

34. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 253
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 63% approve, 26% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

33. Sen. James E. Risch of Idaho (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 343
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee
Popularity: 46% approve, 33% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

32. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 314
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 51% approve, 37% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

31. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 281
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
Committee leadership role(s): Indian Affairs Committee Chair
Popularity: 65% approve, 23% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

30. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 328
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
Committee leadership role(s): Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chair
Popularity: 47% approve, 33% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

29. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 366
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Popularity: 46% approve, 41% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

28. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 271
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 4
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 51% approve, 34% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

27. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 333
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
Committee leadership role(s): Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chair
Popularity: 52% approve, 35% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

26. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 371
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Select Committee on Ethics
Popularity: 53% approve, 28% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

25. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 405
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 47% approve, 40% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

24. Sen. Cory A. Booker of New Jersey (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 406
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 50% approve, 35% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

23. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 307
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 4
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 43% approve, 48% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

22. Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 374
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 54% approve, 35% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

21. Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 348
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
Committee leadership role(s): Special Committee on Aging Chair
Popularity: 46% approve, 32% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

20. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 251
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 6
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Indian Affairs Committee
Popularity: 50% approve, 39% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

19. Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 263
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 6
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 61% approve, 27% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

18. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 321
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 5
Committee leadership role(s): Foreign Relations Committee Chair
Popularity: 53% approve, 24% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

17. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 260
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 7
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Popularity: 45% approve, 35% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

16. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 334
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 5
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 49% approve, 38% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

15. Sen. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 402
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 3
Committee leadership role(s): Judiciary Committee Chair
Popularity: 48% approve, 34% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

14. Sen. Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 303
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 6
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Armed Services Committee
Popularity: 44% approve, 34% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

13. Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 461
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 55% approve, 28% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

12. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 501
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Popularity: 48% approve, 43% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

11. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 404
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 4
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 57% approve, 30% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

10. Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 389
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 5
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Special Committee on Aging
Popularity: 46% approve, 34% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

9. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 326
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 9
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Budget Committee
Popularity: 50% approve, 40% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

8. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 407
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 7
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 47% approve, 30% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

7. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 289
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 11
Committee leadership role(s): Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair
Popularity: 58% approve, 34% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

6. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 600
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 2
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 41% approve, 37% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

5. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 492
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 7
Committee leadership role(s): Chair of the Joint Committee on Printing, the Joint Committee on the Library, and the Rules and Administration Committee
Popularity: 53% approve, 36% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2025

4. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 408
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 21
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 43% approve, 35% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

3. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 771
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 12
Committee leadership role(s): Ranking member of the Select Committee on Intelligence
Popularity: 50% approve, 38% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

2. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah (R)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 1,088
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 4
Committee leadership role(s): None
Popularity: 49% approve, 39% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2029

1. Sen. Gary C. Peters of Michigan (D)

Total bills sponsored (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 401
Sponsored bills that became law (Jan. 2019 – Oct. 2023): 30
Committee leadership role(s): Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair
Popularity: 43% approve, 31% disapprove
Beginning of current term: Jan. 3, 2027

Methodology

24/7 Wall St. reviewed historical data from the federal government’s congressional database to identify the U.S. Senators making the biggest impact. All 81 sitting U.S. Senators who have been in office since 2019 or earlier were 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.

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.