William M. Cowan

Former senator for Massachusetts · Democrat; served until July 16, 2013

View:InteractiveSummary Compare with another member · All members from Massachusetts

Seats held: Senator for MA, 2013–2013.

Massachusetts has about 7.2 million residents, represented by two senators.

Votes compared with what constituents said

Cooperative Election Study: voted with 2 of 2 surveyed votes where Massachusetts's estimated majority was clear.

Each survey is shown on its own, never combined. Votes marked related were on a bill close to what was asked, and aren't counted. How the estimates work.

Survey question	Vote	How they voted	What constituents said	Compared
Let states collect sales tax on online purchases from out-of-state sellers (Marketplace Fairness Act) CES 2013	May 6, 2013 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (47.1% support, likely 41.6–52.7%)	Too close to call
Renew the Violence Against Women Act CES 2013	February 12, 2013 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (89.6% support, likely 85.8–93.4%)	With the majority
Renew the Violence Against Women Act CES 2015	February 12, 2013 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (93.6% support, likely 90.1–97%)	With the majority

Attendance

In the 113th Congress, William M. Cowan missed 6 of 160 Senate votes (3.8%). On votes where most of their party voted one way, they voted with their party 96.1% of the time.

Most recent votes

Vote	Date	Their vote
S. 1238: A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the current reduced interest rate for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans for 1 year, to modify required distribution rules for pension plans, and for other purposes. On the Motion for Attendance · Motion for Attendance Agreed to	July 15, 2013	Yea
S. 1238: A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the current reduced interest rate for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans for 1 year, to modify required distribution rules for pension plans, and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Rejected	July 10, 2013	Yea
Jennifer A. Dorsey, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed	July 9, 2013	Yea
Gregory Alan Phillips, of Wyoming, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed	July 8, 2013	Yea
S. 744: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed	June 27, 2013	Yea
S. 744: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	June 27, 2013	Yea
S. 744: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. On the Amendment · Amendment Agreed to	June 27, 2013	Yea
Anthony Renard Foxx, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of Transportation On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed	June 27, 2013	Yea
S. 744: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	June 26, 2013	Yea
S. 744: To strengthen border security and enforcement. On the Amendment · Amendment Agreed to	June 26, 2013	Yea
S. 744: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. On the Motion · Motion Agreed to	June 26, 2013	Yea
Penny Pritzker, of Illinois, to be Secretary of Commerce On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed	June 25, 2013	Yea
S. 744: To strengthen border security and enforcement. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	June 24, 2013	Yea
S. 744: Requiring Enforcement, Security and safety while Upgrading Lawful Trade and travel Simultaneously (RESULTS). On the Motion to Table · Motion to Table Agreed to	June 20, 2013	Yea
Michael Froman, of New York, to be United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed	June 19, 2013	Yea

Every vote, with filters, on the interactive page.

Figures as of November 10, 2026, from the official vote records and published survey data listed on the Sources page. The interactive page always shows the latest. Found an error? Tell us.