Eric Sorensen
Democrat · IL-17 · U.S. House
Bio
Eric Sorensen is an American politician and meteorologist serving as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 17th congressional district since 2023. His district covers a large swath of western and central Illinois, centered around Moline, Rock Island, and the Illinois side of the Quad Cities. It also includes parts of Peoria and Rockford. A member of the Democratic Party, Sorensen is the first openly gay member of Congress from Illinois.
Full bio on Wikipedia →Overall lean (DW-NOMINATE)
Issue profile
Each issue runs left ↔ right, scored from how the member voted on bills tagged to that issue (−1…+1). Issues with too few votes are blank. Overall lean uses DW-NOMINATE.
Recent notable votes
Latest news
Rep. Sorensen says ACA subsidy delay will spike health insurance costsRep. Eric Sorensen warns ACA subsidy delays could drive health insurance premiums up by more than $1,000 a month for some families in Illinois’ 17th District.
WQAD.com · December 18, 2025
Congressman Eric Sorensen on Defending Climate Science, Depoliticizing Weather and Bringing Scientific Rigor to Capitol HillRepresentative Eric Sorensen of Illinois shares how his meteorology roots drive his fight to protect climate science and push back against political interference.
Scientific American · August 8, 2025
‘You don’t care’: Gay congressman blasts defense secretary over LGBTQ troopsU.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat and the first openly gay member of Congress from Illinois, delivered strong criticism of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, accusing the embattled Pentagon chief of not caring about LGBTQ service members, and fostering…
Raw Story · June 13, 2025
U.S. Rep. Sorensen sticks up for Harvey Milk in hearing with Navy secretaryU.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a gay Democrat who’s the first out LGBTQ+ congressman from Illinois, delivered an impassioned defense of Harvey Milk at a House Armed Services Committee hearing this week.
Advocate.com · June 12, 2025
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