May 2025 Congressional Votes: How Did WNY Congressmen Vote?

May 2025 Congressional votes; May was an active month in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lawmakers took votes on more than 20 bills (excluding procedural motions), addressing a range of issues from healthcare funding and environmental regulations to symbolic legislation designed to generate headlines.

The most consequential measure was H.R. 1— titled by its sponsors as the “One Big, Beautiful Act.” Behind the name was a sweeping legislative package that proposed sharp cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), along with dozens of other provisions buried in over 1,000 pages of legislative text. The vote followed strict party lines: every Republican voted in favor, every Democrat opposed.

Another bill drawing attention was H.R. 276, the Gulf of America Act. It proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. While the legislation has no bearing on domestic policy or international treaties, it passed the House largely along partisan lines. Supporters framed it as a patriotic gesture. Critics described it as a loyalty test to former President Trump and noted that the renaming attempt invited more ridicule than respect on the global stage.

Also on the docket: H.R. 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. The bill would prohibit federal funding for colleges and universities that maintain partnerships with certain Chinese government-affiliated programs—most notably, the Confucius Institutes. These programs have faced scrutiny from both parties for alleged propaganda efforts and ties to Chinese intelligence. The legislation moved forward during ongoing U.S.–China trade negotiations, reflecting a broader push to restrict Chinese influence in academic institutions.

How Western New York Voted

Here’s the list of Western New York congressmen:

• Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY23)

• Claudia Tenney (R-NY24)

• Joseph Morelle (D-NY25)

• Tim Kennedy (D-NY26)

Each of these representatives voted in favor of 12 out of the 20 bills that passed through the chamber during the month. However, they diverged on several major pieces of legislation.

Notable splits included:

• H.R. 1 – The “One Big, Beautiful Act”: Langworthy and Tenney supported it; Morelle and Kennedy opposed.

• Regulatory rollbacks: Proposals to weaken health, safety, or environmental standards saw consistent GOP support and Democratic opposition.

• Retirement benefits for law enforcement officers: Divisions emerged over the scope and funding.

• H.R. 276 – The Gulf of America Act: Once again, Republicans voted in favor; Democrats did not.

Why It Matters

While some of these bills were symbolic or politically motivated, others carried real policy consequences—particularly in healthcare and food security. Medicaid and SNAP are lifelines for thousands of residents across Western New York. Renaming a body of water, on the other hand, doesn’t change much for anyone—but votes like these offer insight into priorities, alignments, and who our representatives choose to follow.

Congressional decisions, even the ones that sound outlandish, reflect the values of those casting the votes. Understanding how each member of the delegation votes is essential—especially as more legislation tied to healthcare, education, and economic security moves forward.