# Robert Menendez

Democrat Representative · NJ-8 [Official site ↗](https://menendez.house.gov) [JSON](https://whovotedwhy.com/data/politicians/M001226.json) [Report an error](mailto:hello@jonasneves.com?subject=WhoVotedWhy%20correction%3A%20member%20M001226&body=Row%20or%20page%3A%20member%20M001226%0AWhat%20is%20wrong%3A%0APrimary%20source%20that%20shows%20it%3A%0A)

2 press releases on AI $4K from AI-industry employees and PACs AI super PACs: $638K for, $0 against

Data as of: votes Oct 21, 2026 · statements Oct 19, 2026 · contributions Oct 19, 2026 · super PAC spending Oct 23, 2026. [What changed](https://whovotedwhy.com/data/changes.json)

## Said and voted

### What they said

toward oversight Sep 21, 2026

Menendez touts passage of bills promoting responsible AI use in networks while countering AI-driven cyberattacks and scams.

“WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced that two of his bipartisan bills with Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) passed out of the House Ener…”

[Source ↗](https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-bills-to-combat-ai-driven-cyberattacks-and-protect-americans-from-scams-pass-out-of-committee) [cites HR.7294](https://whovotedwhy.com/bills/37a803cc3375df6e)

toward oversight Sep 16, 2026

Menendez touts passage of his bill requiring better grid load forecasting to manage rising electricity demand driven by AI data centers and protect ratepayers.

“WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced that his bipartisan legislation, the Load Forecasting Enhancement Act, passed the House of Representatives. The legislation, int…”

[Source ↗](https://menendez.house.gov/media/press-releases/menendez-legislation-to-strengthen-electric-grid-planning-amid-rapidly-growing-energy-demand-passes-the-house)

Summaries and stance tags are written by a model; the release is the record.

### How they voted

YEA Sep 16, 2026

[Ratepayer Protection Act](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/2b7d2d9f22b81270)

passage under suspension · H.R. 9340 · Passed 417-3

YEA Jul 22, 2026

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/4e1afa79062efed0)

motion to recommit · H.R. 8800 · Failed 213-216

NAY Jul 22, 2026

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/0738d91905dc4b0e)

passage · H.R. 8800 · Passed 216-212

YEA Jun 29, 2026

[KIDS Act](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/66fd8f27dd804f2b)

passage under suspension · H.R. 7757 · Passed 267-117

YEA Jan 20, 2026

[AI for Main Street Act](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/e27463e864c986ac)

passage under suspension · H.R. 5764 · Passed 395-14

YEA Dec 10, 2025

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/0100b757ace90999)

procedural · S. 1071 · Failed 209-216

NAY Dec 10, 2025

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/a25c2a752d51bf81)

passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312-112

YEA Sep 10, 2025

[Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://whovotedwhy.com/votes/568b5e8fcd2727ab)

motion to recommit · H.R. 3838 · Failed 208-219

## AI super PAC spending in this race

Independent expenditures reported to the FEC, 2026 cycle. This money never touches the campaign; it is spent for or against the candidate directly.

Supporting · Think Big (Leading the Future) $638K

[Every filing in this race →](https://whovotedwhy.com/candidates/H2NJ08232) [Which PACs, and who funds them →](https://whovotedwhy.com/follow-the-money)

## Contributions from AI-industry employees and PACs

Itemized receipts to this member's campaign committee where the contributor's employer or the contributing PAC is on the alias list. An employee's personal gift is not the company's.

$500

From employees and investors, personally

$3K

From company PACs

### By employer

Company PACs in teal; employees' personal gifts in black. Spellings are unified through the alias list.

### Largest gifts

| Date | Contributor | Employer, as filed | Amount | Filing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Apr 21, 2026 | GOOGLE NETPAC | PAC | $2K | [↗](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?202605219870251908) |
| May 10, 2025 | GOOGLE NETPAC | PAC | $1K | [↗](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?202507159763426641) |
| Dec 18, 2025 | Justin Oswald | OPENAI | $500 | [↗](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?202601319825661108) |

Source: [OpenFEC Schedule A](https://api.open.fec.gov), itemized receipts only, 2026 cycle, read Oct 19, 2026. The FEC itemizes a contributor once their gifts to a committee pass $200 in aggregate.