Thad Cochran

Republican Party

Prior offices:

U.S. Senate Mississippi

Years in office: 1978 - 2018

Successor:Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

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U.S. House Mississippi District 4

Years in office: 1973 - 1978

Compensation

Net worth

(2012) $1,971,530

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2014

Education

Bachelor's

University of Mississippi

Law

University of Mississippi Law Center

Graduate

Trinity College, Dublin

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

1959 - 1961

Personal

Religion

Christian: Baptist

Profession

Attorney

William Thad Cochran was aRepublican member of theU.S. Senate from the state ofMississippi. He died on May 30, 2019.^[1]

Cochran was first elected to the Senate in 1978 and served until he resigned due to health concerns on April 1, 2018. At the time of his resignation, he was the 10th longest-serving senator in U.S. history.^[2] Mississippi Gov.Phil Bryant (R) appointedCindy Hyde-Smith as interim senator to serve in Cochran's seat through the end of 2018. In November 2018, Hyde-Smith won a special election to serve out the remainder of Cochran’s term through 2020.^[2][3]

Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Cochran served in theU.S. House of Representatives.^[4]

Biography

Cochran was born in 1937 in Pontotoc,Mississippi, where he also attended high school. He earned his B.A. from the University of Mississippi in 1959 and his J.D. from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1965. Cochran also studied international law and jurisprudence at Trinity College, Dublin. Prior to his political career, Cochran was a practicing attorney in Jackson,Mississippi.^[4]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Cochran's academic, professional, and political career:^[5]

• 1979-2018: U.S. Senator fromMississippi
• 1973-1978: U.S. House of Representatives,Mississippi's 4th Congressional District
• 1965-1973: Attorney in Jackson,Mississippi
• 1965: Admitted to the Mississippi Bar
• 1963-1964: Studied international law and jurisprudence at Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland
• 1965: Graduated from the University of Mississippi Law School
• 1959-1961: U.S. Navy
• 1959: Graduated from the University of Mississippi, Oxford

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate

2017-2018

At the beginning of the115th Congress, Cochran was assigned to the following committees:^[6]

• Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• Committee on Appropriations
• Committee on Rules and Administration

2015-2016

Cochran served on the following Senate committees:^[7]

• Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
  • Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy
• Appropriations CommitteeChairman
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Department of DefenseChairman
  • Subcommittee on Department of Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
  • Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
  • Subcommittee on Legislative Branch
  • Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Rules and Administration Committee

2013-2014

Cochran served on the following Senate committees:^[8]

• Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry CommitteeRanking Member
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Marketing and Agriculture Security
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food and Agricultural Research
  • Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation
  • Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management
• Appropriations Committee
  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Department of Homeland
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
  • Subcommittee on Department of DefenseVice Chair
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Rules and Administration Committee

2011-2012

Cochran served on the following Senate committees:^[9]

• Appropriations CommitteeRanking Member
• Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee
• Rules and Administration Committee

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, clickhere.

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

For detailed information about each vote, clickhere.

• Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

  First Step Act of 2018 (S 756)

   Motion Agreed to (87-12) on December 18, 2018

  Proposed making changes to the criminal justice system.^[10]

  Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Conference Report Agreed to (87-13) on December 11, 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.^[11]

  "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

   Nomination Confirmed (50-48) on October 6, 2018

  Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States^[12]

  "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-49) on October 5, 2018

  Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States^[13]

  Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (86-11, 3/5 majority required) on June 28, 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.^[14]

  VotedYea on: Immigration reform proposal from Sen. Chuck Grassley and the Trump administration (S Amdt 1959 to HR 2579)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (39-60, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for 1.8 million individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, limits on chain migration or family-based migration, and eliminating the visa lottery system.^[15]

  VotedNay on: Immigration reform proposal from the Common Sense Coalition (S Amdt 1958 to HR 2579)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, and limitations on chain or family-based immigration.^[16]

  VotedYea on: Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act amendment (S Amdt 1948 to S Amdt 1959)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed withholding funding from sanctuary jurisdictions for not cooperating with federal immigration officials.^[17]

  VotedNay on: Coons-McCain immigration plan (S Amdt 1955 to S Amdt 1958)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018

  Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children and conducting a study to determine what border security measures were needed. It also proposed requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the U.S.-Mexico border by 2021.^[18]

  VotedYea on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S 2311)

   Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (51-46, 3/5 majority required) on January 29, 2018

  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 proposed providing 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.^[19]

  VotedYea on: An amendment to repeal the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it—"Skinny bill" (S Amdt 667 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628 the American Health Care Act of 2017)

   Amendment Rejected (49-51) on July 28, 2017

  The amendment proposed repealing the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it.^[20]

  VotedYea on: An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271) (S Amdt 271 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

   Amendment Rejected (45-55) on July 26, 2017

  An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271)^[21]

  VotedYea on: Motion to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, including Cruz and Portman amendments (S Amdt 270 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)

   Motion Rejected (43-57, 3/5 majority required) on July 25, 2017

  A procedural vote to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA), including the Cruz and Portman amendments.^[22]

  VotedYea on: Motion to begin debate on the American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

   Motion to Proceed Agreed to (50-50, Vice President voted Yea) on July 25, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.^[23]

  VotedYea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(4)—confirmation vote)

   Nomination Confirmed (54-45) on April 7, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—confirmation vote.^[24]

  VotedYea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(3))

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (55-45) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—second vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination under the new precedent requiring only a simple majority to pass.^[25]

  
  

  VotedNay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(2))

   Decision of Chair Not Sustained (48-52) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—a vote to keep the Senate precedent of requiring 60 votes to close debate on Supreme Court nominations.^[26]

  VotedYea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (55-45, 3/5 majority required) on April 6, 2017

  Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—initial vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination.^[27]

• Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

  "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

   Conference Report Agreed to (93-7) on September 18, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.^[28]

  "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

   Conference Report Agreed to (92-5) on September 12, 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.^[29]

  "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (85-7) on August 23, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.^[30]

  "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (86-5) on June 25, 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.^[31]

  VotedYea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

   Motion Agreed to (65-32) on March 23, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.^[32]

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

   Motion Agreed to (71-28) on February 9, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018^[33]

  VotedYea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (55-44, 3/5 majority required) on February 8, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018.^[34]

  VotedYea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Motion Agreed to (81-18) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.^[35]

  VotedYea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Cloture Motion Agreed to (81-18, 3/5 majority required) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.^[36]

  VotedYea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)

   Cloture Motion Rejected (50-49, 3/5 majority required) on January 19, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.^[37]

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

   Motion Agreed to (66-32, 3/5 majority required) on December 21, 2017

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.^[38]

  VotedYea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Motion Agreed to (51-48) on December 20, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 and proposed changes to the tax code.^[39]

  VotedYea on: "A joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes." (HJ Res 123)

   Joint Resolution Passed (81-14) on December 7, 2017

  Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.^[40]

  VotedYea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (51-49) on December 2, 2017

  Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.^[41]

  VotedYea on: A concurrent resolution 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)

   Concurrent Resolution Agreed to (51-49) on October 19, 2017

  Proposed 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.^[42]

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

   Motion Agreed to (80-17) on September 7, 2017

  Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.^[43]

  VotedYea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

   Motion Agreed to (79-18) on May 4, 2017

  The $1.2 trillion budget bill proposed funding the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.^[44]

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

  "A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." (SJ Res 54)

   Joint Resolution Passed (56-41) on December 13, 2018

  Proposed removing United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that were not authorized by Congress.^[45]

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

   Bill Passed (89-8) on September 18, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. On November 15, 2017, the Senate passed the defense policy bill by voice vote. This bill was the result of compromises made in the conference report. For more information on the compromise bill,click here.^[46][47]

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

   Bill Passed (98-2) on July 27, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.^[48]

  VotedYea on: Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S 722)

   Bill Passed (98-2) on June 15, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.^[49]

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes

114th Congress The first session of the114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[50][51] The Senate confirmed 18,117 out of 21,815 executive nominations received (83 percent). For more information pertaining to Cochran's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[52] Economic and fiscal Trade Act of 2015 See also:The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015 On May 22, 2015, theSenate passedHR 1314, which was used as a legislative vehicle for trade legislation with the titles "Trade Act of 2015" and the "Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015," by a vote of 62-37. The bill proposed giving the presidenttrade promotion authority (TPA). TPA, also known as fast track authority, allows the president to negotiate trade deals that cannot be amended byCongress. Congress casts a simple up or down vote on a trade agreement, and the legislation only requires a simple majority for approval. The bill also included a statement of trade priorities and provisions fortrade adjustment assistance. Cochran voted with 47 otherRepublicansenators to approve the bill.[53][54] Trade promotion authority On June 24, 2015, by a vote of 60-38, theSenate approvedtrade promotion authority (TPA) as part ofHR 2146 - Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act. Cochran was one of 47Republicans to vote in favor of the bill. After, SenateRepublican leadership honored a pledge to supporttrade adjustment assistance (TAA) by passing the measure as part ofHR 1295 - Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 by voice vote. TheHouse passed HR 1295 the following day, on June 25, 2015, and both TPA and TAA were signed into law on June 29, 2015.[55][56][57] 2016 Budget proposal On May 5, 2015, theSenate voted to approveSConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 51-48. The non-binding resolution will be used to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. The vote marked the first time since 2009 thatCongress approved a joint budget resolution. All 44Democrats voted against the resolution. Cochran voted with 50 otherRepublicansenators to approve the bill.[58][59][60] Defense spending authorization On November 10, 2015, theSenate passedS 1356 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 91-3. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included "$5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget" and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[61][62] Cochran voted with 47Republicans, 42Democrats and one independent to approve the bill.[63] On November 5, 2015, theHouse passed the bill by a vote of 370-58, and PresidentBarack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[64] On June 18, 2015, theSenate passedHR 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 71-25. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Cochran voted with 48Republicans, 21Democrats and one Independent to approve the bill.[65] TheHouse passed the bill on May 15, 2015.[66] PresidentBarack Obamavetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[67] 2015 budget On October 30, 2015, theSenate passedHR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 by a vote of 64-35. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[68] Cochran voted with 17Republicans, 44Democrats and two independents in favor of the bill.[69] It passed theHouse on October 28, 2015.[70] PresidentBarack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015. Foreign Affairs Iran nuclear deal See also:Iran nuclear agreement, 2015 On May 7, 2015, theSenate voted to approveHR 1191 - A bill to provide for congressional review and oversight of agreements relating to Iran's nuclear program, and for other purposes, by a vote of 98-1. The bill required PresidentBarack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review.Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Cochran voted with 52 otherRepublicansenators to approve the bill. SenatorTom Cotton (Ark.) was the onlyRepublican who voted against the bill.[71][72] Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 On September 10, 2015, theSenate voted tofilibuster the measure to disapprove of theIran nuclear deal by a vote of 58-42.[73] Sixty votes were needed to proceed toHJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Cochran voted with 53 otherRepublicans and fourDemocrats to proceed to the measure of disapproval.[74] Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 follow up votes On September 15, 2015, theSenate voted for a second time tofilibuster the measure to disapprove of theIran nuclear deal by a vote of 56-42.[75] Sixty votes were needed to proceed toHJ Res 61 - the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, the legislative vehicle the Senate was expected to use to disapprove of the Iran nuclear deal. Cochran voted with 51Republicans and fourDemocrats to proceed to the measure of disapproval.[76] The legislation was voted on for a third time on September 17, and it failed for a third time by a vote of 56-42.[77] Hire More Heroes Act of 2015 fourth vote On September 17, 2015, theSenate voted tofilibuster a vote onS.Amdt.2656 to S.Amdt.2640 by a vote of 53-45. The amendment proposed prohibiting "the President from waiving, suspending, reducing, providing relief from, or otherwise limiting the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran."[78] Cochran voted with 51Republicans and oneDemocrat to proceed to the amendment.[79] Domestic USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 On June 2, 2015, theSenate passedHR 2048 - the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 by a vote of 67-32. The legislation revisedHR 3199 - the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 by terminating the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Cochran voted with 29Republicans, oneDemocrat and oneindependent against the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[80][81] Loretta Lynch AG nomination On April 23, 2015, theSenate voted toconfirmLoretta Lynch asUnited States Attorney General by a vote of 56-43. All 44Democratic senators voted to confirm Lynch. Cochran voted with nine otherRepublicansenators to confirm Lynch.[82] Cyber security On October 27, 2015, theSenate passedS 754 - the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 by a vote of 74-21.[83] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Cochran voted with 42Republicans, 30Democrats and one independent in favor of the bill.[84] Immigration On October 20, 2015, theSenate voted against proceeding to a vote onS 2146 - the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act by a vote of 54-45. The bill proposed withholding federal funding from "sanctuary jurisdictions" that violate the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and other federal immigration laws. In addition, the bill proposed increasing "penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed" and providing "liability protection for State and local law enforcement who cooperate with Federal law enforcement."[85] Cochran voted with 51Republicans and twoDemocrats in favor of proceeding to the bill.[86] 113th Congress The second session of the113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[87] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Cochran's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[88] National security John Brennan CIA nomination Cochran voted against the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.[89] Drones filibuster See also:Rand Paul filibuster of John Brennan's CIA Nomination in March 2013 On March 6, 2013, SenatorRand Paul (R) led a 13-hour filibuster ofPresident Obama's CIA Director nominee, John Brennan. Paul started the filibuster in order to highlight his concerns about the administration's drone policies. In particular, Paul said he was concerned about whether a drone could be used to kill an American citizen within the United States border, without any due process involved. Paul and other civil liberties activists criticized President Obama for not offering a clear response to the question. A total of 14 senators joined Paul in the filibuster -- 13 Republicans and one Democrat.[90][91][92] Cochran was one of 30 Republican senators who did not support the filibuster.[93][94][95] The day after the filibuster, Attorney General Eric Holder sent a letter toPaul, responding to the filibuster. Holder wrote, "Does the president have the authority to use a weaponized drone to kill an American not engaged in combat on U.S. soil? The answer to that is no."[96] Economy No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013 Cochran voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.[97] Government shutdown See also:United States budget debate, 2013 During the shutdown in October 2013, theSenate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made bySenate Democrats was to require income verification forObamacare subsidies.[98] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill fromRepublican members. Cochran voted with theDemocratic Party for the bill.[99] Immigration Mexico-U.S. border Cochran did not vote on Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.[100] Social issues Violence Against Women (2013) Cochran voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.[101] Previous congressional sessions Fiscal Cliff Cochran voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by an 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.[102]

Issues

National Security

Letter to Iran

On March 9, 2015, SenatorTom Cotton wrote a letter to Iran's leadership, warning them that signing a nuclear deal with theObama administration without congressional approval was merely an "executive agreement". The letter also stated that "The next president could revoke such an executive agreement with the stroke of a pen and future Congresses could modify the terms of the agreement at any time." The letter was signed by 47 Republican members of theSenate. Cochran was one of the seven Republican members of the Senate who did not sign the letter.^[103]

The letter caused intense backlash from both the Obama administration and members of Congress.^[104] Vice PresidentJoe Biden said of the letter, "In thirty-six years in the United States Senate, I cannot recall another instance in which senators wrote directly to advise another country — much less a longtime foreign adversary — that the president does not have the constitutional authority to reach a meaningful understanding with them."^[105] On Twitter, the hashtag "47Traitors" became the top trending topic in the world, and a debate raged as to whether the 47 who signed the letter were traitors or patriots.^[106]

Presidential preference

2016 presidential endorsement

✓ Cochran endorsedJeb Bush for the Republican primary in the 2016 U.S.presidential election.^[107]

See also:Endorsements for Jeb Bush

2016 Presidential Endorsements by U.S. Senators
State Sen.	Candidate	Date	Source
Angus King	Hillary Clinton	July 2016	Politico
Elizabeth Warren	Hillary Clinton	June 2016	The Boston Globe
Bob Menendez	Hillary Clinton	May 2016	Philly.com
Roy Blunt	Donald Trump	May 2016	The Atlantic
Richard Burr	Donald Trump	May 2016	IndyWeek.com
Mitch McConnell	Donald Trump	May 2016	Politico
Cory Gardner	Ted Cruz	April 2016	The Hill
Pat Toomey	Ted Cruz	April 2016	The Morning Call
Jeff Merkley	Bernie Sanders	April 2016	The New York Times
Mike Lee (Utah)	Ted Cruz	March 2016	Politico
Lamar Alexander	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Politico
Jeff Sessions	Donald Trump	February 2016	Politico
Harry Reid	Hillary Clinton	February 2016	Politico
Dan Coats	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Bloomberg
Dean Heller	Marco Rubio	February 2016	Politico
Tim Scott	Marco Rubio	February 2016	NBC News
Ron Wyden	Hillary Clinton	January 2016	The Oregonian
Jack Reed	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Providence Journal
Heidi Heitkamp	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	The Huffington Post
Ed Markey	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	WBUR
Gary Peters	Hillary Clinton	May 2015	The Hill
Michael Bennet	Hillary Clinton	May 2015	The Hill
Bob Casey, Jr.	Hillary Clinton	April 2015	CBS Pittsburgh
Tom Udall	Hillary Clinton	April 2015	Albuquerque Journal
Jeanne Shaheen	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	WMUR
Brian Schatz	Hillary Clinton	February 2015	Honolulu Civil Beat
Mazie Hirono	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	CNN
Al Franken	Hillary Clinton	December 2014	The Huffington Post
Mark Warner	Hillary Clinton	July 2014	The Hill
Martin Heinrich	Hillary Clinton	July 2014	New Mexico Telegram
Patrick Leahy	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	Vermont Public Radio
Dick Durbin	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	Politico
Amy Klobuchar	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	Politico
Debbie Stabenow	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	CNN
Tim Kaine	Hillary Clinton	May 2014	The Washington Post
Sheldon Whitehouse	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Chris Murphy (Connecticut)	Hillary Clinton	June 2015	The Connecticut Mirror
Richard Blumenthal	Hillary Clinton	June 2014	WestportNow.com
Joe Manchin III	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	Politico
Maria Cantwell	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Tammy Baldwin	Hillary Clinton	January 2014	The New York Times
Dianne Feinstein	Hillary Clinton	December 2013	MSNBC
Kirsten Gillibrand	Hillary Clinton	August 2014	People
Patty Murray	Hillary Clinton	November 2013	Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Chuck Schumer	Hillary Clinton	November 2013	The Washington Post
Barbara Boxer	Hillary Clinton	October 2013	ABC News
Claire McCaskill	Hillary Clinton	June 2013	Politico
Jim Inhofe	Marco Rubio	January 2016	Politico
Rob Portman	John Kasich (primary) Donald Trump (general)	August 2016	The Columbia Dispatch
Thad Cochran	Jeb Bush	December 2015	USA Today
John Boozman	Mike Huckabee	September 2015	Politico
Mike Rounds	Mike Huckabee	September 2015	Politico
Orrin Hatch	Jeb Bush	August 2015	Deseret News
Susan Collins	Jeb Bush	July 2015	Portland Press Herald
John McCain	Lindsey Graham (primary)	January 2015	Bloomberg.com
Bill Nelson (Florida)	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Miami Herald
Barbara Mikulski	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Baltimore Sun
Ben Cardin	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	Baltimore Sun
Chris Coons	Hillary Clinton	November 2015	CNN
Jim Risch	Marco Rubio	November 2015	Politico
Steve Daines	Marco Rubio	November 2015	The Huffington Post
Sherrod Brown	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	MSNBC
Tom Carper	Hillary Clinton	October 2015	Roll Call
Cory Booker	Hillary Clinton	June 2015	NBC News

2012

See also:Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Thad Cochran endorsedMitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.^[108]

Elections

2014

See also:United States Senate elections in Mississippi, 2014

Cochran ran for re-election to the Senate in 2014.^[109] The Republican primary on June 3, 2014, resulted in a runoff election againstChris McDaniel on June 24, 2014. Cochran defeated McDaniel and won the Republican nomination. He defeatedTravis Childers (D) andShawn O'Hara (Reform) in the general election on November 4, 2014.

U.S. Senate, Mississippi General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Thad CochranIncumbent	59.9%	378,481
	Democratic	Travis Childers	37.9%	239,439
	Reform	Shawn O'Hara	2.2%	13,938
Total Votes				631,858
Source:Mississippi Secretary of State Official Results

U.S. Senate, Mississippi Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Chris McDaniel	49.5%	157,733
Thad CochranIncumbent	49%	156,315
Thomas Carey	1.5%	4,854
Total Votes		318,902
Source:Mississippi Secretary of State - Official Republican primary results

U.S. Senate, Mississippi Runoff Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Thad CochranIncumbent	51%	194,932
Chris McDaniel	49%	187,265
Total Votes		382,197
Source:Mississippi Secretary of State - Official Republican runoff primary results

Primary vulnerability

Cochran was named byNational Journal as one of the top five incumbent senators at risk of losing his or her primary election in 2014. Four of the five most vulnerable senators were Republican.^[110]

Opposition from the SCF

In November 2013, theSenate Conservatives Fund announced a $263,000 advertisement buy on behalf ofChris McDaniel, who challenged Cochran in the 2014 Republican primary.^[111]

Opposition from the Club for Growth

Following Cochran's announcement that he would seek re-election in 2014, theClub for Growth released a statement blasting his candidacy and said they would continue to supportChris McDaniel's run against him. According to former Club for Growth President Chris Chocola, " Senator Cochran … is a strong supporter of wasteful earmarks — something that is opposed by Republican leaders in both the Senate and the House. Mississippi voters will make the final judgment as to whether it is time for a change. The Club for Growth PAC believes that State Senator Chris McDaniel is a constitutional conservative who will fight to repeal ObamaCare, cut spending, and stop President Obama’s reckless agenda. The Club for Growth PAC looks forward to strongly supporting his candidacy for the United States Senate."^[112]

Endorsements

Cochran was endorsed by the following:

• Gregg Harper:

"A true statesman, Sen. Cochran has dedicated his life to serving the people of Mississippi.... And Mississippi needs his leadership in the U.S. Senate now more than ever."^[113]

• Roger Wicker:

"The people of Mississippi need his experience and proven conservative leadership more than ever. Thad's work on behalf of Mississippi is a testament to his selfless dedication to our state and its future. He has my full support."^[113]

• Phil Bryant:

"After Hurricane Katrina, Thad dedicated his time and influence to our state's recovery efforts as we rebuilt from the nation's largest natural disaster. Our state has benefited from Sen. Cochran's leadership for over three decades. In today's political environment, we need this experience for Mississippi's future."^[113]

• Tate Reeves:

"I am glad Sen. Cochran is running for re-election and I, like thousands of Mississippians, had encouraged him to do so. He is the father of the conservative Republican takeover of Mississippi, and his wisdom will be an asset to the conservative cause as long as he serves. We as Republicans have a major fight in Washington to unwind the Obama agenda in the next six years, and we need our best minds on the job. I hope all Republicans will rally behind Thad Cochran."^[113]

• Former U.S. Senator Trent Lott^[114]

• Eagle PAC^[115]

• National Right to Life^[116]

• National Rifle Association (NRA)^[117]

• Senate Minority LeaderMitch McConnell^[118]

• TheNational Association of Realtors^[119]
  • The National Association of Realtors spent $400,000 on advertising for the primary and about $166,000 for the runoff.

Campaign manager

Cochran hired Kirk Sims to be his campaign manager. Cochran said, "I welcome Kirk Sims to my campaign team, and appreciate his willingness to serve as campaign manager. Kirk has demonstrated a commitment to the interests and the values of the citizens of Mississippi. His background and experience are consistent with my principles. He will be instrumental in the effort to engage and unite the people of our state in a discussion about Mississippi’s bright future." Sims was reportedly endorsed by Sen.Roger Wicker, former Gov.Haley Barbour and former Sen. Trent Lott.^[120]

Photos of Cochran's wife

Clayton Thomas Kelly, who ran a blog and openly supportedChris McDaniel over Cochran, was arrested on May 16, 2014, for sneaking into St. Catherine's Village, a nursing home, and taking unauthorized photographs of Cochran's bedridden wife in order to post them in an internet video criticizing Cochran. He was arrested for exploitation of a vulnerable adult.^[121] McDaniel's campaign denied any involvement with Kelly or the video, and McDaniel issued a statement criticizing Kelly's actions and reaching out to Cochran.^[122]

Ads regarding photo scandal

• After aChris McDaniel supporter took photos of Cochran'swife, Cochran came out with a campaign ad opposing McDaniel.^[123] McDaniel, however, denied any involvement or knowledge of the photos, and he retaliated with his own ad.^[124]

Ad aimed toward Democratic voters

After Cochran andChris McDaniel began their battle for the primary runoff election, McDaniel supporters brought attention to an ad that appeared in theMississippi Link newspaper in late May 2014. The ad was geared toward Democratic voters, and stated that Cochran was "Behind the latest farm bill that funds the SNAP program and supports our local farmers."^[125] The ad stated that it was paid for by "All Citizens for Mississippi," and there was no group of that name registered with theFederal Election Commission. The ad did not state whether or not the ad was authorized by Cochran.^[126]

Accusations of voter fraud in runoff

See also:Legal challenges to the U.S. Senate race in Mississippi

Mississippi's 2014 U.S. Senate election gained nationwide media attention when accusations of voter fraud in theRepublican runoff primary between Cochran and challengerChris McDaniel created hostilities within the GOP, eventually leading to two separate legal challenges.

1. True the Vote filed alawsuit against the Mississippi Secretary of State and the Republican Party of Mississippi, arguing that they were denied access to voting records that should have been released based on the National Voter Registration Act Of 1993 (NVRA).
2. Chris McDaniel filed alawsuit against Cochran, stating that Cochran solicited Democratic votes, many of which violated Mississippi election law.

Timeline of events

• June 3, 2014: McDaniel and Cochran competed for theRepublican nomination in Mississippi's primary election. McDaniel won 157,733 votes to Cochran's 156,315, but McDaniel did not obtain the 50 percent of votes necessary to avoid a runoff election.^[127]

• June 24, 2014: Cochran defeated McDaniel in the runoff primary, with 194,932 votes to McDaniel's 187,265.^[128]

• July 1, 2014: True the Vote sued the Republican Party of Mississippi and the Mississippi Secretary of State,Delbert Hosemann, for failing to release the voting records necessary for an investigation of voter fraud in the Cochran vs. McDaniel runoff. The lawsuit argued that the records should have been released under the National Voter Registration Act Of 1993 (NVRA).^[129]

• July 3, 2014: McDaniel notified Cochran of his plans to challenge the primary runoff results due to illegitimate crossover votes from people who had voted in the Democratic primary and the Republican runoff.^[130]

• July 7, 2014: Mississippi Northern District Federal JudgeMichael Mills issued a cause order expressing his belief that the True the Vote lawsuit should have been filed in theSouthern District rather than theNorthern District.^[131]

• July 8, 2014: True the Vote withdrew their lawsuit without prejudice.^[131]

• July 9, 2014: True the Vote refiled their lawsuit in Jackson, in the Southern District, adding election commissions in Copiah, Hinds, Jefferson Davis, Lauderdale, Leake, Madison, Rankin, Simpson and Yazoo counties to the list of defendants.^[132]

• July 24, 2014: JudgeNancy Atlas presided over a hearing for True the Vote's lawsuit, but did not make a ruling on the case.^[133]

• August 4, 2014: McDaniel confirmed at a news conference that he would challenge the runoff results by calling for a public hearing of the Mississippi GOP’s central committee.^[134]

• August 6, 2014: In aletter to McDaniel's attorney, Joe Nosef, chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, refused to hear McDaniel's case in a GOP hearing due to the short amount of time they would have to make a decision. He suggested instead that McDaniel take the case to court.^[135]

• August 14, 2014: McDaniel formally filed a legal challenge in Jones County, asking to delay adding Cochran's name to the general election ballot and calling for a new primary runoff.^[136]

• August 15, 2014: The chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court appointed retired chancery judge, Hollis McGehee, to oversee McDaniel's case.^[137]

• August 20, 2014: Judge McGehee refused to grant McDaniel's request to preventSecretary of StateDelbert Hosemann from preparing the ballots with Cochran's name, on the grounds that McDaniel did not sue Hosemann.^[138]

• August 21, 2014: Cochran's attorneys filed papers asking that the lawsuit be dismissed because McDaniel filed it too late. The papers also stated that McDaniel should not have sued Cochran, as he had no control over the election process.^[138]

• August 25, 2014: McDaniel's legal team submitted aresponse to Cochran's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The response argued that challenges to a state-wide primary election do not have to be filed within a certain time frame following the election.^[139]

• August 29, 2014: Judge Hollis McGehee dismissed the election challenge. The McDaniel campaign scheduled a news conference for September 2, at which McDaniel planned to announce whether or not he would file an appeal with theMississippi Supreme Court.^[140] McDaniel later pushed back the news conference, needing more time to make the decision.^[141]

• August 29, 2014: JudgeNancy Atlas ruled against True the Vote's lawsuit, stating that the requested voter information was not required to be disclosed under the National Voter Registration Act Of 1993 (NVRA).^[142]

• September 5, 2014: McDaniel's lawyer, Mitch Tyner, filed anappeal with theMississippi Supreme Court, challenging the dismissal of McDaniel's lawsuit against Cochran.^[143][144]

• September 24, 2014: Cochran filed papers with the state Supreme Court asking that McDaniel's lawsuit be dismissed, as it had been in theJones County circuit court.^[145]

• October 24, 2014: The state Supreme Court ruled to uphold the decision of the Jones County circuit court to dismiss McDaniel's lawsuit against Cochran. Four justices concurred with the decision, while two dissented and three did not participate. The two dissenting were JusticesJosiah Coleman andAnn Lamar.^[146]

Media

• Cochran released a campaign ad in which a man praised Cochran for helping him to get the medical attention he needed for his brain tumor.^[147]
• Leading up to the runoff primary againstChris McDaniel, Cochran released a campaign ad explaining how he helped Mississippi in his time as U.S. senator.^[148]

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Thad Cochran, click [show] to expand the section.

2008 On November 4, 2008, Cochran won re-election to theUnited States Senate. He defeated Erik Fleming (D) in the general election.[149] U.S. Senate, Mississippi General Election, 2008 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad CochranIncumbent 61.4% 766,111      Democratic Erik Fleming 38.6% 480,915 Total Votes 1,247,026 2002 On November 5, 2002, Thad Cochran won re-election to theUnited States Senate. He defeated Shawn O'Hara (T) in the general election.[150] U.S. Senate, Mississippi General Election, 2002 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad Cochranincumbent 84.6% 533,269      Reform Shawn O'Hara 15.4% 97,226 Total Votes 630,495 1996 On November 5, 1996, Thad Cochran won re-election to theUnited States Senate. He defeated James Hunt (D) and Ted Weill (T) in the general election.[151] U.S. Senate, Mississippi General Election, 1996 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad Cochranincumbent 71% 624,154      Democratic James Hunt 27.4% 240,647      Independence Ted Weill 1.6% 13,861 Total Votes 878,662 1990 On November 6, 1990, Thad Cochran won re-election to theUnited States Senate. He ran unopposed in the general election.[152] U.S. Senate, Mississippi General Election, 1990 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad Cochranincumbent 100% 274,244 Total Votes 274,244 1984 On November 6, 1984, Thad Cochran won re-election to theUnited States Senate. He defeated William Winter (D) in the general election.[153] U.S. Senate, Mississippi General Election, 1984 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad Cochranincumbent 39.1% 371,926      Democratic William Winter 60.9% 580,314 Total Votes 952,240 1978 On November 7, 1978, Thad Cochran won election to theUnited States Senate. He defeated Maurice Dantin (A), James Charles Evers (I) and Henry Jay Kirksey (I) in the general election.[154] U.S. Senate, Mississippi General Election, 1978 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad Cochran 45.3% 267,302      Democratic Maurice Dantin 31.8% 187,541      Independent James Charles Evers 22.6% 133,646      Independent Henry Jay Kirksey 0.3% 1,747 Total Votes 590,236 1976 On November 2, 1976, Thad Cochran won re-election to theUnited States House. He defeated Sterling Davis (D), B.L. Norman (A) and Luther Latham (I) in the general election.[155] U.S. House, Mississippi District 4 General Election, 1976 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad Cochranincumbent 76% 101,132      Democratic Sterling Davis 21.6% 28,737      American B.L. Norman 1.4% 1,862      Independent Luther Latham 0.9% 1,260 Total Votes 132,991 1974 On November 4, 1974, Thad Cochran won re-election to theUnited States House. He defeated Kenneth Dean (D) and Leonard Young (I) in the general election.[156] U.S. House, Mississippi District 4 General Election, 1974 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad Cochranincumbent 70.2% 62,634      Democratic Kenneth Dean 28.8% 25,699      Independent Leonard Young 1% 868 Total Votes 89,201 1972 On November 7, 1972, Thad Cochran won election to theUnited States House. He defeated Ellis Bodron (D) and Eddie McBride (I) in the general election.[157] U.S. House, Mississippi District 4 General Election, 1972 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Thad Cochran 47.9% 67,655      Democratic Ellis Bodron 44% 62,148      Independent Eddie McBride 8.2% 11,571 Total Votes 141,374

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 theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.

Personal Gain Index

See also:Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

ThePersonal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of theU.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

• Changes in Net Worth
• The Donation Concentration Metric

PGI: Change in net worth

See also:Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) andNet worth of United States Senators and Representatives

Based oncongressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available byOpenSecrets.org, Cochran's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $1,392,070 and $3,875,000. That averages to$2,633,535, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican senators in 2012 of $6,956,438.47. Cochran ranked as the 51st most wealthy senator in 2012.^[158] Between 2004 and 2012, Cochran's calculated net worth^[159] increased by an average of 7 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.^[160]

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also:The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by theFederal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated byOpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). In the113th Congress, Cochran is the ranking member of theUnited States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Cochran received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by theCrop Production & Basic Processing industry.

From 1989-2014,24.21 percent of Cochran's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.^[163]

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also:GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship byGovTrack, Cochran was amoderate Republican follower as of July 2014.^[164] Cochran was rated as a "rank-and-file Republican" in June 2013.

Like-minded colleagues

The websiteOpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.^[165]

Lifetime voting record

See also:Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the websiteGovTrack, Cochran missed 473 of 13,054 roll call votes from February 1979 to September 2015. This amounts to 3.6 percent, which is worse than the median of 1.6 percent among current senators as of September 2015.^[166]

Congressional staff salaries

See also:Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The websiteLegistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Cochran paid his congressional staff a total of $2,698,737 in 2011. He ranked 7th on the list of the highest paid Republican senatorial staff salaries and ranked 32nd overall of the highest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall,Mississippi ranked 19th in average salary for senatorial staff. The averageU.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.^[167]

National Journal vote ratings

See also:National Journal vote ratings

Each yearNational Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013

Cochran ranked 34th in the conservative rankings in 2013.^[168]

2012

Cochran ranked 41st in the conservative rankings in 2012.^[169]

2011

Cochran ranked 41st in the conservative rankings in 2011.^[170]

Voting with party

The websiteOpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Cochran voted with the Republican Party82.2 percent of the time, which ranked 37th among the 45 Senate Republican members as of July 2014.^[171]

2013

Cochran voted with the Republican Party81.7 percent of the time, which ranked 39th among the 46 Senate Republican members as of June 2013.^[172]

Personal

Note: Pleasecontact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Cochran and his wife, Rose, had two children.^[173]

See also

• United States Senate
• United States Senate elections in Mississippi, 2014

Footnotes

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