Jim McGovern (American politician)

{{Short description|American politician (born 1959)}} {{Use American English|date=November 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jim McGovern | image = Jim McGovern, official portrait, 116th Congress.jpg | office1 = Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee | term_start1 = January 3, 2023 | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = Tom Cole | successor1 = | term_start2 = March 16, 2018 | term_end2 = January 3, 2019 | predecessor2 = Louise Slaughter | successor2 = Tom Cole | office3 = Chair of the House Rules Committee | term_start3 = January 3, 2019 | term_end3 = January 3, 2023 | predecessor3 = Pete Sessions | successor3 = Tom Cole | state4 = Massachusetts | term_start4 = January 3, 1997 | term_end4 = | predecessor4 = Peter Blute | successor4 = | constituency4 = {{ushr|MA|3|C}} (1997–2013) {{ushr|MA|2|C}} (2013–present) | birth_name = James Patrick McGovern | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|11|20}} | birth_place = Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | spouse = {{marriage|Lisa Murray|1989}} | children = 2 | education = American University (BA, MPA) | website = {{url|mcgovern.house.gov|House website}} {{url|jimmcgovern.com|Campaign website}} | signature = Jim McGovern Signature.png | module = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Rep. Jim McGovern on the State of Global Food Security.ogg |title=McGovern's voice |type=speech |description=McGovern on the state of global food security Recorded July 25, 2023}} }} '''James Patrick McGovern''' (born November 20, 1959) is an American politician who has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing {{ushr|MA|2}} since 2013. A Democrat, he is the ranking member of the House Rules Committee, chaired the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and is the co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Co-Chairs |url=https://humanrightscommission.house.gov/about/co-chairs |website=Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission |date=December 19, 2013 |publisher=US House of Representatives |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref> His district, numbered as the 3rd district from 1997 to 2013, stretches from Worcester to the Pioneer Valley.

Born and raised in Worcester, McGovern attended Worcester Academy. While in college he worked as a congressional intern and then aide to U.S. Senator George McGovern (no relation), a two-time presidential candidate for whom he campaigned.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=When McGovern interned for McGovern (no relation)|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2019/05/24/when-mcgovern-interned-for-mcgovern-no-relation/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=Roll Call|date=May 24, 2019|language=en}}</ref> From 1981 to 1996 he was a senior staff member for U.S. Representative Joe Moakley. McGovern first ran for Congress in 1994, losing the Democratic primary. He ran again in 1996, defeating Republican incumbent Peter Blute.

As chairman of the board of the Congressional Hunger Center, McGovern is known as a leading voice on ending hunger and food insecurity both in the United States and globally.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Admin|first=C. H. C.|date=2011-04-14|title=Who We Are|url=https://hungercenter.org/who-we-are/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=Congressional Hunger Center|language=en-US}}</ref> He was a key architect of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.<ref>{{Cite web|title=McGovern-Dole a reminder of CCC authorities {{!}} The Hagstrom Report|url=https://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1022_mcgovern2.html|access-date=2020-11-21|website=www.hagstromreport.com}}</ref> For his work he has earned a 2016 James Beard Leadership Award from the James Beard Foundation and a 2008 McGovern-Dole Leadership Award from the World Food Program USA.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Smart |first1=Catherine |date=September 20, 2016|title=A James Beard award for fighting hunger? - The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2016/09/20/james-beard-award-for-fighting-hunger/G6fZZgLhrUfsLvgwvDs0zJ/story.html|access-date=2020-11-21|website=BostonGlobe.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=McGovern-Dole Leadership Award|url=https://www.wfpusa.org/about-us/awards-and-events/mcgoverndole-leadership-award/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=World Food Program USA|language=en-US|archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504160634/https://www.wfpusa.org/about-us/awards-and-events/mcgoverndole-leadership-award/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Another focus of McGovern's career has been international human rights, which he has advocated for in countries such as El Salvador, Sudan, Colombia, and the region of Tibet. He is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caucus Members |url=https://cpc-grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=71&sectiontree=2,71 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427164818/https://cpc-grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=71&sectiontree=2,71 |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |publisher=Congressional Progressive Caucus}}</ref> and has been ranked as one of Congress's most liberal members.<ref name="nationaljournal" />

==Early life, education, and career== James Patrick McGovern<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGovern |first=Jim |date=December 6, 1998 |title=Statement of Candidacy |url=http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?_98034102066+0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604081305/http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?_98034102066%2B0 |archive-date=June 4, 2015 |access-date=July 9, 2010 |publisher=Federal Election Commission}}</ref> was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 20, 1959. He grew up in Worcester, where his mother, Mindy, was a dance instructor and his father, Walter, owned a liquor store.<ref name="mccarthy">{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Colman |date=November 19, 1996 |title=This time, an upset for McGovern |page=D20 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="cq-2007" /> In junior high school, he first became involved in politics by campaigning for Democratic U.S. Senator George McGovern (to whom he is not related) in his unsuccessful 1972 presidential bid. After graduating from Worcester Academy, he moved to Washington, D.C., where from 1977 to 1980 he worked as an aide to George McGovern. Jim McGovern attended American University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1981 and a Master of Public Administration in 1984. He also served as director of the Kennedy Political Union, American University's student-run speakers bureau. George McGovern ran for president again in 1984, and Jim McGovern was the state coordinator of his Massachusetts campaign branch, and made his nominating speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention.<ref name="cq-2007">{{Harvnb|Koszczuk|Angle|2007}}.</ref>

In 1981, Jim McGovern joined the Capitol Hill staff of U.S. Representative Joe Moakley.<ref name="cq-2007" /> In 1990, Moakley appointed him to lead a House task force investigating the 1989 murder of six Jesuit priests and two women in El Salvador by the Atlácatl Battalion, working with Salvadoran activist Leonel Gómez Vides.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Patricia|date=2009-12-15|title=Leonel Gómez, Salvadoran human rights activist, dies|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/14/AR2009121403331.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218170144/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/14/AR2009121403331.html|archive-date=2015-02-18|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> He later advocated cutting off U.S. funding for the U.S. Army School of the Americas, where several of the military members had been trained.<ref name="cq-2007" />

==U.S. House of Representatives==

=== Elections === McGovern first ran for Congress in 1994, entering a crowded Democratic primary to represent the area then defined as Massachusetts's 3rd district.<ref name="cq-2007" /> The district, in central and southeastern Massachusetts, included parts of Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Worcester counties–essentially, the heart of the MetroWest region.<ref>[http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/congress.html#ma National Atlas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222045635/http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable/congress.html |date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref> During the campaign, McGovern said his record as "a Washington insider" would make him a more effective representative. Despite endorsements from Moakley, George McGovern, and presidential aide George Stephanopoulos, McGovern lost the primary to Massachusetts State Representative Kevin O'Sullivan,<ref name="cq-2007" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Connolly |first=Timothy J |date=September 8, 1994 |title=McGovern runs as Washington insider |work=Telegram & Gazette}}</ref> who then lost to Republican incumbent Peter Blute.

McGovern left Moakley's office in 1996 and moved back to Worcester, again running for Congress. This time, he won the nomination unopposed and faced Blute in the general election. His campaign slogan focused on unseating House Speaker Newt Gingrich: "To dump Newt you have to dump Blute."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oliphant |first=Thomas |date=December 17, 1995 |title=Aiming at Newt through Blute |page=A23 |publisher=The Boston Globe |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/21424248.html?FMT=ABS |url-status=dead |access-date=September 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111180457/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/21424248.html?FMT=ABS |archive-date=January 11, 2012}}</ref> Blute was endorsed by ''The Boston Globe'' and five other local papers, but McGovern won the election with 53% of the vote.<ref name="mccarthy" /><ref name="elections" /> He has never faced another contest nearly that close, and has been reelected 13 times. He ran unopposed in 2000 and 2002.<ref name="elections" />

In 2004, he was opposed by Republican Ronald A. Crews, an evangelical pastor, former Georgia state legislator, and president of the Massachusetts Family Institute. A national conservative activist, Crews challenged McGovern's positions on same-sex marriage and abortion. McGovern derided his opponent's focus on social issues, saying, "When Ron Crews gets up in the morning, the first thing he thinks about is gay marriage. I don't think that is the most important issue for most families. Jobs, health care, education, how to make the world a more peaceful place, those are the issues people care about."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vennochi |first=John |date=May 20, 2004 |title=McGovern faces fight over 'values' |page=A19 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://archive.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/05/20/mcgovern_faces_fight_over_values/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040812021117/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/05/20/mcgovern_faces_fight_over_values/ |archive-date=August 12, 2004 }}</ref> McGovern defeated Crews with 71% of the vote, and ran unopposed in 2006 and 2008.<ref name="elections" />

In the 2010 election, McGovern faced Republican Marty Lamb, a real estate lawyer, and independent Patrick J. Barron, a Department of Mental Health administrator.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dayal |first=Priyanka |date=September 15, 2010 |title=Lamb takes GOP: Winner faces McGovern in November |work=Telegram & Gazette |location=Worcester, Massachusetts |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20100915/NEWS/100919794/0/news06 |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404080922/http://www.telegram.com/article/20100915/NEWS/100919794/0/news06 |archive-date=April 4, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dayal |first=Priyanka |date=September 1, 2010 |title=Barron qualifies for Nov. 2 ballot: 'Low-budget campaign' planned |work=Telegram & Gazette |location=Worcester, Massachusetts |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20100901/NEWS/9010364/1101/NEWSREWIND |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404081006/http://www.telegram.com/article/20100901/NEWS/9010364/1101/NEWSREWIND |archive-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref> He was reelected with 57% of the vote.<ref name="results-2010" />

When Massachusetts lost a district in the 2010 census, McGovern's district was renumbered as the {{ushr|MA|2|2nd district}} and pushed west to Amherst and the Pioneer Valley. He ran unopposed in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

thumb|McGovern chairs a meeting of the Rules Committee during the 116th Congress in 2019.

=== Tenure === McGovern took over the top Democratic position on the House Rules Committee when Louise Slaughter died.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Caygle|first=Heather|title=McGovern picked as top Democrat on Rules panel|url=https://politi.co/2ql8IN9|access-date=2020-11-21|website=POLITICO|date=April 10, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> After the 2018 midterm elections in which Democrats won the House majority, McGovern became chair.

Called the "Speaker's Committee" because it is the mechanism that the Speaker of the House uses to maintain order and control of the House Floor, the Rules Committee is often considered the most powerful committee in Congress.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Robinson|first=James A.|date=1961|title=The Role of the Rules Committee in Regulating Debate in the U.S. House of Representatives|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2109042|journal=Midwest Journal of Political Science|volume=5|issue=1|pages=59–69|doi=10.2307/2109042|jstor=2109042|issn=0026-3397|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As chair, McGovern can influence the introduction and consideration of almost every piece of legislation that comes to a vote.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-12-19|title=About|url=https://rules.house.gov/about|access-date=2020-11-21|website=House of Representatives Committee on Rules|language=en}}</ref>

One of McGovern's first actions as chair was to pass a sweeping set of reforms to the House Rules. He wrote at the time that his changes were designed to "usher in a new era of clean government".<ref>{{Cite web|last=McGovern|first=Nancy Pelosi and Jim|title=Nancy Pelosi and Jim McGovern: House Democrats will restore transparency, ethics, unity|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/01/03/nancy-pelosi-jim-mcgovern-rules-package-house-democrats-congress-column/2462284002/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref> McGovern also said the rules changes were "the result of unprecedented bipartisan outreach" and that he had met with "both Democrats and Republicans to seek their input on potential changes".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jim McGovern on the House's new rules {{!}} Boston.com|url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2019/01/04/house-rules-jim-mcgovern/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=www.boston.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

The ''National Journal'' reported that McGovern had used his Capitol Hill experience to help position himself as "a power broker in the Democratic caucus". In 2001, McGovern's mentor, Joe Moakley, at the time dying of cancer, asked Dick Gephardt to help McGovern attain a seat on the Rules Committee. He was given a commitment for the next available Democratic seat.

On the Rules Committee, McGovern has been able to use his experience with House procedures to his advantage. With Republicans comprising the majority of the panel, he "showed a sharp partisan edge as he embraced parliamentary maneuvers that led to cries of outrage" from Republican members.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

==== Impeachments of Donald Trump ==== As chair, McGovern played a central role in devising procedures the House adopted for the first impeachment of Donald Trump.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Finucane |first=Martin |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Mass.'s McGovern in the spotlight as Rules Committee discusses impeachment vote |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/12/17/nation/mass-us-rep-mcgovern-spotlight-rules-committee-discusses-impeachment-vote |access-date=November 21, 2020 |work=The Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref> At the time, McGovern wrote in ''The Boston Globe'' that "[t]he House will ensure the public-facing phase of this inquiry is transparent and will stand the test of time."<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGovern |first=Jim |date=October 30, 2019 |title=Setting the rules for the impeachment inquiry – The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/30/setting-rules-for-impeachment-inquiry/GeucJGfh4Bk1mBuzByda3O/story.html |access-date=November 21, 2020 |work=The Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref> He later explained his decision to vote for impeachment by saying, "I often think about kids today getting involved in the political process just like I did back in 1972. What will they think if we say that the president’s actions don’t matter?"<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGovern |first=Jim |date=December 18, 2019 |title=Why impeachment matters |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/12/18/opinion/why-impeachment-matters |access-date=November 21, 2020 |language=en-US |newspaper=The Boston Globe}}</ref>

He supported impeaching Trump again for inciting the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1347228980546576384 |user=RepMcGovern |title=Donald Trump needs to be impeached immediately<nowiki>.</nowiki>}}</ref>

==== Visit to Ukraine ==== On April 30, 2022, McGovern accompanied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and three other U.S. representatives on a secret trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The delegation pledged billions of dollars in military aid.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Liz |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/05/01/nation/massachusetts-lawmakers-join-pelosis-surprise-trip-ukraine/ |title=Massachusetts lawmaker joins Pelosi's surprise trip to Ukraine |work=The Boston Globe |date=2022-05-01 |accessdate=2022-05-02 }}</ref>

===Domestic policy=== ====Transportation==== For his first three terms, McGovern served on the House Transportation Committee. He and Representative John Olver, who served on the House Appropriations Committee, coordinated to bring extensive transportation funding to their districts. When criticized for his heavy use of earmarks, McGovern responded, "It's not pork. It's nourishment."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hohler |first1=Bob |last2=Globe Staff |date=November 19, 1999 |title=Hard-dealing congressmen reap $760M for Bay State |page=A1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/46482323.html?FMT=ABS |url-status=dead |access-date=September 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111171627/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/46482323.html?FMT=ABS |archive-date=January 11, 2012}}</ref>

====Fiscal policy==== McGovern supported economic stimulus efforts during the late-2000s recession, including the Economic Stimulus Act in February 2008<ref>{{USBill|110|H.R.|5140}}</ref> and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (which established the Troubled Asset Relief Program) in October 2008.<ref>{{USBill|110|H.R.|1424}}</ref> He supported the Obama administration's 2009 stimulus package.<ref>{{USBill|111|H.R.|1}}</ref> Responding to Republican criticism of Democratic budgetary priorities, he chided the GOP for running up the national debt under George W. Bush, saying: "It is somewhat ironic that the very people who drove this economy into a ditch are now complaining about the size of the tow truck."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Espo |first=David |date=February 25, 2009 |title=House OKs $410B bill to boost domestic programs |work=KPFA Evening News |url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/02/25/house_passes_410_billion_spending_bill}}{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He voted to instate the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act in February 2010.<ref>{{USBill|111|H.J.Res|45}}</ref>

McGovern was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4029522-republicans-and-democrats-who-bucked-party-leaders-by-voting-no/|title=Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no|first=Jared|last=Gans|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2023|work=The Hill}}</ref>

====Education==== The Higher Education Act of 1998 included an amendment by McGovern that doubled Pell Grant funding for two years for students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Black |first=Chris |date=September 30, 1998 |title=Senate backs college aid bill: Hurdle cleared for rise in student grants, loans |page=A3 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/34672885.html?FMT=ABS |url-status=dead |access-date=September 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111191145/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/34672885.html?FMT=ABS |archive-date=January 11, 2012}}</ref>

====Food and agriculture==== [[File:U.S. Representative Jim McGovern - Food Policy address, Jan 2013.jpg|thumb|right|McGovern in 2013, addressing the Food Policy session of the United States Conference of Mayors in Washington D.C.]]

As co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus, McGovern is an advocate for expanding child nutrition programs both domestically and internationally.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vallejo |first=Stephanie |date=June 10, 2010 |title=McGovern, Rachael Ray push for child nutrition programs |work=The Boston Globe |url=http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2010/06/mcgovern_rachel.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019212539/http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2010/06/mcgovern_rachel.html |archive-date=October 19, 2011}}</ref> In 2007, he obtained $840 million in required funding for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program in the House version of the farm bill.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Dan |date=July 27, 2007 |title=House rejects Farm Bill |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072700397.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111113711/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072700397.html |archive-date=November 11, 2012}}</ref> The House–Senate conference committee stripped most of the funding from the final bill.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Dan |date=May 6, 2008 |title=Farm Bill negotiators cut funds for overseas school lunch program |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502282.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821044053/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/05/AR2008050502282.html |archive-date=August 21, 2010}}</ref>

As the co-chair of the Congressional Hunger Center, McGovern has pushed for changes to foreign aid and hunger relief programs. He proposed establishing a "hunger czar position" to take on food issues. McGovern also took part in the food stamp challenge, which entailed living on the average $21 in food stamps for a week.<ref name="McGovern Who Runs Gov">{{Cite news |date=July 23, 2012 |title=James P. McGovern (D-Mass.) |work=Who Runs Gov |publisher=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/james-p-mcgovern-d-mass/gIQAZRKbKP_topic.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311211636/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/james-p-mcgovern-d-mass/gIQAZRKbKP_topic.html |archive-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref>

McGovern supports federal funding for alternative proteins, including plant-based foods. In 2021, McGovern and Representative Julia Brownley led a letter by 46 members of Congress requesting $200 million in alternative proteins research funding for the USDA's Agricultural Research Service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Multi-member letter to Chair David Scott calling for alternative protein research funding in the reconciliation bill |url=https://gfi.org/comment-letters/comment-to-chair-david-scott-calling-for-alternative-protein-research-funding-in-the-reconciliation-bill/ |publisher=The Good Food Institute |access-date=24 June 2025 |date=27 August 2021}}</ref> In July 2023, McGovern authored the Peas, Legumes, and Nuts Today (PLANT) Act, which would have extended agricultural subsidies to producers of common plant-based proteins and established an agricultural marketing program for plant-based foods.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Torrella |first1=Kenny |title=American government built the meat industry. Now can it build a better food system? |url=https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/362923/plant-based-food-meat-dairy-lobbying-congress-research-schools |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Vox |date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209205009/https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/362923/plant-based-food-meat-dairy-lobbying-congress-research-schools |archive-date=9 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=McGovern Introduces New Bill to Support American Farmers and Rural Communities through Plant-Based Food Production |url=https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400022 |publisher=Jim McGovern |access-date=20 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406090147/https://mcgovern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400022 |archive-date=6 April 2025 |date=28 July 2023}}</ref>

McGovern has expressed support for the California farm animal welfare law Proposition 12, which prohibits the sale of products from animals confined in battery cages, gestation crates, and veal crates. He criticized a July 2025 House Agriculture Committee hearing that he characterized as being dominated by opponents of the law, calling it a "misrepresentation of reality" and stating that many producers benefit from higher animal welfare standards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Koons |first1=Cami |title=Congressional ag panel hears ‘implications’ of California livestock confinement law |url=https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/23/congressional-ag-panel-hears-implications-of-california-livestock-confinement-law/ |access-date=11 August 2025 |work=Iowa Capital Dispatch |date=23 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723223246/https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/23/congressional-ag-panel-hears-implications-of-california-livestock-confinement-law/ |archive-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>

====Immigration==== McGovern has voted against major efforts to restrict illegal immigration, including the REAL ID Act of 2005,<ref>{{USBill|109|HR|418}}, incorporated into {{USBill|109|HR|1268}}</ref> the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005,<ref>{{USBill|109|HR|4437}}</ref> and the Secure Fence Act of 2006.<ref>{{USBill|109|HR|6061}}</ref>

====Health care==== McGovern believes health care is a human right. He voted for the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, ultimately pushing for a robust public option that was not included in the final measure.<ref name="McGovern Who Runs Gov" /> He supports Medicare for All.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jimmcgovern.com/petition/medicare/a/|title=Tell Congress: Pass Medicare for All!}}</ref>

====Voting age==== In January 2023, McGovern was one of 13 cosponsors of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens 16 years of age or older.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-joint-resolution/16 |title=H.J.Res.16 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens sixteen years of age or older. |date=January 11, 2023 |publisher=Congress.gov |accessdate=2023-01-24 }}</ref>

====Corporate personhood==== In 2010, McGovern said he thought the Supreme Court decision ''Citizens United'' was wrongly decided, and that the First Amendment does not protect unlimited political advertising by corporations. He elaborated, saying that corporations should not "have the same equality as a regular voter". At first, he said that "the Constitution was wrong", but later said he had misspoken. On November 15, 2011, McGovern introduced the People's Rights Amendment, a proposal to limit the Constitution's protections to only natural persons, not corporations.<ref>{{USBill|112|HJR|88}}</ref> In January 2012, McGovern promoted his participation in a panel discussion titled "Corporations are not people."<ref name="Corporations are not people">{{Cite web |last=McGovern |first=Jim |title=Corporations are not people: A special panel with Sen. Eldridge, John Bonifaz, and Jeff Clements |date=January 26, 2012 |url=http://bluemassgroup.com/2012/01/corporations-are-not-people-a-special-panel-with-sen-eldridge-john-bonifaz-and-jeff-clements-this-monday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623065613/http://bluemassgroup.com/2012/01/corporations-are-not-people-a-special-panel-with-sen-eldridge-john-bonifaz-and-jeff-clements-this-monday/ |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=June 21, 2012 |publisher=BlueMassGroup}}</ref> On July 14, 2014, McGovern and Representative Ted Deutch introduced [https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-joint-resolution/119/text H.J. Res 119], which includes a section to address corporate personhood.

====Social issues==== McGovern has a pro-choice record on abortion. He voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in 2003<ref>{{USBill|108|S|3}}</ref> and the Unborn Victims of Violence Act in 2004.<ref>{{USBill|108|HR|1997}}</ref> He supports stem cell research, voting for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in 2005, 2007, and 2009.<ref>{{USBill|109|HR|810}}, {{USBill|110|HR|3}}, and {{USBill|111|HR|873}}</ref> He voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007, which would have prevented employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.<ref>{{USBill|110|HR|3685}}</ref> He voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have constitutionally outlawed same-sex marriage, in 2004 and 2006,<ref>{{USBill|108|HJRes|106}}, {{USBill|109|HJRes|88}}</ref> and co-sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act of 2009, which would allow the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages.<ref>{{USBill|111|HR|3567}}</ref>

====Objection to 2016 presidential election results==== On January 6, 2017, McGovern objected to Alabama's electoral votes, which Donald Trump had won with 62.08% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/alabama|title=Alabama Election Results 2016 – The New York Times|access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref> Because no senator joined his objection, the objection was dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/06/politics/electoral-college-vote-count-objections/index.html|title=11 times VP Biden was interrupted during Trump's electoral vote certification | CNN Politics|website=CNN|date=January 6, 2017}}</ref>

===Foreign policy and human rights===

==== China ==== On July 21, 2019, McGovern called attacks against Hong Kong's anti-extradition bill protesters "orchestrated violence against peaceful protesters" and urged Hong Kong authorities to protect the freedom of demonstration.<ref name="Yuen Long House of Rep">{{Cite web|last=Cheng|first=Kris|date=July 22, 2019|title=Hong Kong police made no arrests after mob assaulted commuters, protesters, journalists in Yuen Long|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/07/22/hong-kong-police-made-no-arrests-mob-assaulted-commuters-protesters-journalists-yuen-long/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722224201/https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/07/22/hong-kong-police-made-no-arrests-mob-assaulted-commuters-protesters-journalists-yuen-long/|archive-date=July 22, 2019|access-date=July 22, 2019|website=Hong Kong Free Press|quote=Meanwhile, US House Representative Jim McGovern, a co-chair of the Congressional Executive-Commission on China, condemned the “orchestrated violence against peaceful protesters” as unacceptable.}}</ref>

On October 27, 2022, McGovern and Senator Jeff Merkley urged U.S. financial executives to cancel their attendance at the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, saying, "Their presence only serves to legitimize the swift dismantling of Hong Kong's autonomy, free press, and the rule of law by Hong Kong authorities acting along with the Chinese Communist Party."<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. lawmakers slam Wall Street bankers' plan to attend Hong Kong summit |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-lawmakers-slam-wall-street-122008453.html |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=finance.yahoo.com |date=October 27, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On July 31, 2024, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions over McGovern, alleging his frequent interference in China's "internal affairs."<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2024 |title=China accuses US lawmaker McGovern of interference, imposes sanctions |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china-accuses-us-lawmaker-mcgovern-interference-imposes-sanctions-2024-07-31/ |access-date=July 31, 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-31 |title=China sanctions US lawmaker McGovern for 'interference' in its domestic affairs |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-sanctions-congress-mcgovern-649c029092175ad14b3d7996d199b7f3 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

==== Iraq ==== McGovern has vocally opposed the Iraq War since its inception.<ref name="cq-2007" /> He voted against the initial authorization of military force against Iraq in October 2002.<ref>{{USBill|110|H.J.RES.|114}}</ref> In May 2007, McGovern introduced {{USBill|110|H.R.|2237}}, to "provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq". The bill failed by a vote of 255 to 171.

==== Afghanistan ==== McGovern initially supported the War in Afghanistan, but became increasingly skeptical of it. In June 2010, he pushed a funding amendment to require President Barack Obama to make a draw-down plan before any further funding would be authorized. "Let us not waste, you know, more resources, more lives, on a policy that quite frankly is going to lead us nowhere", McGovern said. "We need to let Afghan President Hamid Karzai know that we're not a cheap date. We expect him to clean up his government."<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Russian Spy Confesses; President Obama Speaks on Immigration Reform; Hurricane Alex Complicates Gulf Oil Cleanup |series=The Situation Room |network=CNN |transcript=Transcript |transcript-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115083906/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1007/01/sitroom.01.html |airdate=July 1, 2010}}</ref>

==== Sudan ==== McGovern has been a prominent voice against the Islamist governments of Sudan for its prosecution of the war in Darfur. He has been arrested three times, twice during protests outside the Sudanese Embassy in Washington D.C. On April 28, 2006, he was one of five members of Congress arrested while protesting atrocities in Darfur,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doyle |first=Jim |date=April 28, 2006 |title=Five members of Congress arrested over Sudan protest |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Five-members-of-Congress-arrested-over-Sudan-2498797.php |url-status=live |access-date=October 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504035626/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F04%2F28%2FMNG4RIH93T7.DTL |archive-date=May 4, 2006 }}</ref> along with Sheila Jackson Lee, Jim Moran, John Olver, and Tom Lantos. McGovern was arrested again at the Sudanese embassy on April 27, 2009, this time accompanied by Representatives John Lewis, Donna Edwards, Lynn Woolsey, and Keith Ellison.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rhee |first=Foon |date=April 27, 2009 |title=McGovern, other lawmakers arrested at Darfur protest |work=Boston Globe |url=http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/04/mcgovern_other.html |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430101430/http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/04/mcgovern_other.html |archive-date=April 30, 2009}}</ref> He was arrested again on March 16, 2012, alongside George Clooney, during a protest outside the Sudanese embassy against the Bashir regime in Sudan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Lindsay |title=McGovern Arrested During Protest in D.C. |url=http://westborough.dailyvoice.com/news/mcgovern-arrested-during-protest-dc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221040244/http://westborough.dailyvoice.com/news/mcgovern-arrested-during-protest-dc |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |publisher=The Westborough Daily Voice}}</ref>

In April 2007, he called for the U.S. and other countries to boycott the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing to protest the Chinese government's support of the Sudanese government and, by extension, the genocide in Darfur.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melady |first=Mark |date=April 14, 2007 |title=McGovern suggests boycott of Olympics |url=http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070414/NEWS/704140340/1005/NEWS06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927024800/http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070414%2FNEWS%2F704140340%2F1005%2FNEWS06 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=April 14, 2007 |website=Telegram & Gazette}}</ref>

==== Colombia ==== McGovern has traveled several times to Colombia to meet with human rights advocates, and has been very critical of Plan Colombia and US military aid to that country. On March 25, 2008, ''The Wall Street Journal'' published an unsigned editorial suggesting that McGovern supported the FARC rebels in Colombia. According to the ''Journal'', an investigation of the computer hard drive of the recently killed Raúl Reyes, second-in-command of the FARC, had turned up material indicating "an ardent effort" by McGovern "to do business directly with the FARC." The article said that McGovern had been "working with an American go-between, who has been offering the rebels help in undermining Colombia's elected and popular government."<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 25, 2008 |title=Review & Outlook: A FARC Fan's Notes |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120640555842961083?mod=opinion_main_review_and_outlooks |url-status=dead |access-date=June 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327102916/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120640555842961083.html |archive-date=March 27, 2008 }}</ref> In response, McGovern said that his concern was to help win the release of hostages held by the FARC, as requested by several of their families.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2008 |title=McGovern angry over claim he backs Colombian rebels |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20080326/NEWS/803260394/1052/NEWSREWIND |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814194249/http://www.telegram.com/article/20080326/NEWS/803260394/1052/NEWSREWIND |archive-date=August 14, 2009 |access-date=February 23, 2010 |website=Telegram & Gazette}}</ref> He said he had no sympathy for the rebels.

On February 13, 2009, McGovern offered a resolution on the subject of the trial of the Iranian Baháʼí Faith leadership co-sponsored by seven others in {{USBill|111|H. RES.|175}}.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baháʼí minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights. (Introduced in House) |date=February 13, 2009 |publisher=House of Representatives, Congressional Record |url=http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.175: |access-date=March 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009183050/http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.175: |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The situation has gathered international attention, including defense of Nobel Laureate attorney Shirin Ebadi<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Local Baha'is worry about their fellow believers in Iran |date=February 24, 2009 |url=http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1447519 |access-date=March 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703205239/http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1447519 |archive-date=July 3, 2009 |work=The Chatham News |url-status=dead}}</ref> after she received threats warning her against making speeches abroad, and defending Iran's minority Baháʼí community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 14, 2008 |title=Top Iranian dissident threatened |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7347047.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420105051/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7347047.stm |archive-date=April 20, 2008 |website=BBC News }}</ref>

==== Cuba ==== McGovern advocates normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-03|title=Rep. McGovern: 'We Should Have Normal Relations With Cuba'|url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/international-news/2019/04/03/rep-mcgovern-we-should-have-normal-relations-with-cuba|access-date=2020-11-21|website=News|language=en}}</ref> He accompanied President Barack Obama to Cuba in 2016.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Gazett Staff|date=March 12, 2016|title=McGovern will go to Cuba with Obama|work=Daily Hampshire Gazette|url=https://www.gazettenet.com/News/Local/Congressman-James-McGovern-to-join-PresidentObama-on-trip-to-Cuba|access-date=November 20, 2020}}</ref> He said at the time that "Americans have long been ready for a 21st-century approach to Cuba and with our two nations working together, we can create new opportunities for American businesses, increase travel and exchange, and support efforts in Cuba to advance democratic reforms and promote human rights.”<ref name=":0" /> He also joined Secretary of State John Kerry on a 2019 trip to reopen the U.S. embassy in Havana.

In 2000, McGovern met with the Cuban grandmothers of five-year-old Elian Gonzalez.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alvarez |first=Lizette |date=January 26, 2000 |title=Private Meeting Is Planned For Boy and Grandmothers |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/26/us/private-meeting-is-planned-for-boy-and-grandmothers.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107043933/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/26/us/private-meeting-is-planned-for-boy-and-grandmothers.html |archive-date=November 7, 2017}}</ref> Elian's mother had drowned while trying to escape from Cuba with the boy. Although Elian reached Florida safely, McGovern advocated for his return to his father's custody in Cuba.<ref name="Elian">{{Cite news |date=January 26, 2000 |title=Grandmothers Lobby At Capitol For Elian's Return |publisher=Sun-Sentinel |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-01-26/news/0001260011_1_elian-s-florida-elian-s-life-elian-gonzalez |url-status=dead |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629014306/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-01-26/news/0001260011_1_elian-s-florida-elian-s-life-elian-gonzalez |archive-date=June 29, 2013}}</ref>

In 2002 McGovern joined the Congressional Cuba Working Group, which advocated for lowering restrictions on travel and food shipment to Cuba.<ref name="cq-2007" /> He is the current co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (formerly the "Human Rights Caucus").<ref name="TLHRC">{{Cite web |title=About the Committee |date=December 19, 2013 |url=https://humanrightscommission.house.gov/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008160343/https://humanrightscommission.house.gov/about |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |access-date=November 1, 2017 |publisher=Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission}}</ref> His work on human rights issues earned him the Washington Office on Latin America's "Human Rights Award" in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The WOLA Human Rights Awards Ceremony & Benefit Gala |url=https://www.wola.org/wola-human-rights-awards-ceremony-benefit-gala/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030029/https://www.wola.org/wola-human-rights-awards-ceremony-benefit-gala/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=November 1, 2017 |website=Washington Office On Latin America}}</ref>

==== Myanmar ==== On November 18, 2013, McGovern introduced House Resolution 418.<ref name="418sum">{{Cite web |title=H.Res. 418 - Summary |url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-resolution/418 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509141837/http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-resolution/418 |archive-date=May 9, 2014 |access-date=May 5, 2014 |publisher=United States Congress}}</ref> The resolution calls on the government of Myanmar to end the persecution and discrimination of the Rohingya people within its borders and calls on the U.S. government and the international community to pressure the Burmese to do so.<ref name="418sum" /><ref name="BurmaResoluHill">{{Cite news |last=Marcos |first=Cristina |date=May 7, 2014 |title=House passes resolution pressuring Burmese government to end genocide |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/205545-house-passes-resolution-pressuring-burmese-government-to-end/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508143237/http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/205545-house-passes-resolution-pressuring-burmese-government-to-end |archive-date=May 8, 2014}}</ref> The resolution was in response to allegations of Burmese Buddhist attacks on Rohingya Muslims earlier in 2014.<ref name="BurmaResoluHill" /> McGovern argued that "the Burmese government needs to recognize the Rohingya as an ethnic group. The situation is dire and rapidly deteriorating."<ref name="BurmaResoluHill" />

==== Syria ==== In 2023, McGovern was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h136 | title=H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria |website=U.S. News & World Report |date=2023-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404204512/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria |archive-date=2023-04-04 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Ukraine ==== In 2023, McGovern was among 49 Democrats to break with President Joe Biden, by voting for a ban on cluster munitions to Ukraine.<ref>Sfortinsky, Sarah. “Almost 50 Democrats Snub Biden with Vote against Cluster Bombs for Ukraine.” The Hill, 14 July 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4097677-almost-50-democrats-snub-biden-with-vote-against-cluster-bombs-for-ukraine/.</ref><ref>“H.Amdt. 243 (Greene) to H.R. 2670: To Prohibit Cluster Munitions ... -- House Vote #317 -- Jul 13, 2023.” GovTrack.Us, https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h317. Accessed 16 July 2023.</ref>

==== Gaza ==== After the drone strikes on aid workers from World Central Kitchen in April 2024, Mark Pocan, Jim McGovern, Jan Schakowsky, Nancy Pelosi and 36 more members of Congress from the Democratic party urged U.S. President Joe Biden in an open letter to reconsider planned arms shipments to the Israeli military.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pelosi, Democratic lawmakers urge Biden to put conditions on military aid to Israel |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4578465-pelosi-democratic-lawmakers-urge-biden-conditions-israel-military-aid/ |date=6 April 2024 |website=thehill.com |access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref><ref>[https://pocan.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/pocan.house.gov/files/evo-media-document FINAL Letter to Biden Admin re WCK Airstrike and Arms Transfers]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (5 April 2024, pocan.house.gov)</ref>

==== Other work ==== On April 25, 2018, 57 House members, including McGovern,<ref name="holocaust" /> released a condemnation of Holocaust distortion in Ukraine and Poland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 25, 2018 |title=Congress members urge US stand against Holocaust denial in Ukraine, Poland |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/congress-members-urge-us-stand-against-holocaust-denial-in-ukraine-poland/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119175753/https://www.timesofisrael.com/congress-members-urge-us-stand-against-holocaust-denial-in-ukraine-poland/ |archive-date=January 19, 2019}}</ref> They criticized Poland's new Holocaust law and Ukraine's 2015 memory laws glorifying Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and its leaders, such as Roman Shukhevych.<ref name="holocaust">{{Cite news |last=History |first=Defending |date=April 25, 2018 |title=57 Members of US House of Representatives Condemn Holocaust Distortion in Ukraine and Poland |newspaper=Defending History |url=http://defendinghistory.com/57-members-of-us-house-of-representatives-condemn-holocaust-distortion-in-ukraine-and-poland/94506 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110015637/http://defendinghistory.com/57-members-of-us-house-of-representatives-condemn-holocaust-distortion-in-ukraine-and-poland/94506 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=January 18, 2019}}</ref>{{better source needed|blog|date=July 2023}}

=== Committee assignments ===

* Committee on Rules (Ranking Member) **Subcommittee on Rules and the Organization of the House * Committee on Agriculture ** Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture

=== Caucus memberships === * Black Maternal Health Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Caucus Members |author=|url=https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/about-caucus/caucus-members|format=|publisher=Black Maternal Health Caucus|date=|accessdate=2 July 2025}}</ref> *House Baltic Caucus<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members|url=http://housebalticcaucus.webs.com/members|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221222500/http://housebalticcaucus.webs.com/members|archive-date=February 21, 2018|access-date=February 21, 2018|publisher=House Baltic Caucus}}</ref> *Congressional Arts Caucus<ref>{{Cite web|title=Membership|url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|archive-date=June 12, 2018|access-date=March 21, 2018|publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus}}</ref> * Congressional Equality Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=About the CEC|url=https://equality.house.gov/about-cec/membership| publisher=CEC|access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> *Afterschool Caucuses<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012024233/http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|archive-date=October 12, 2018|access-date=April 17, 2018|publisher=Afterschool Alliance}}</ref> *Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142643/http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|archive-date=June 12, 2018|access-date=June 11, 2018|publisher=Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus}}</ref> *Veterinary Medicine Caucus<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus|url=https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090924/https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm|archive-date=March 27, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2018|publisher=Veterinary Medicine Caucus}}</ref> *Congressional Progressive Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Caucus Membrs|url=https://progressives.house.gov/caucus-members| publisher=US House of Representatives |access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref> * Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|author=|url=https://bush.house.gov/era/about/membership|format=|publisher=Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment|date=|accessdate=18 September 2024|archive-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918182046/https://bush.house.gov/era/about/membership|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Medicare for All Caucus * Rare Disease Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=18 March 2025}}</ref> * Congressional Taiwan Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Congressional Taiwan Caucus|url=https://sherman.house.gov/taiwancaucus| publisher=Congressman Brad Sherman|access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref>

==Political positions== [[File:McGovern, Warren and Murray 2.jpg|thumb|''(l–r)'' McGovern campaigning in 2012 on behalf of U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, alongside Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray at an Auburn rally]]

McGovern has aligned himself with liberal and progressive causes. "It's no secret that I'm a liberal", he said in 2010. "I didn't poll any of this stuff, but I am who I am."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Slack |first=Donovan |date=August 28, 2010 |title=Running hard against the Scott Brown effect |work=The Boston Globe |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/08/28/running_hard_against_the_scott_brown_effect/?page=full |url-status=dead |access-date=September 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106220429/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/08/28/running_hard_against_the_scott_brown_effect/?page=full |archive-date=January 6, 2012}}</ref> Political interest groups generally rank McGovern as one of the most liberal members of Congress. The ''National Journal'' ranked him among the seven most liberal representatives in the 110th Congress<ref name="nationaljournal">{{Cite web |title=2007 Vote Ratings (03/07/2008) |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/house/lib_cons.htm?o1=lib_composite&o2=desc#results |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601162051/http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/house/lib_cons.htm?o1=lib_composite&o2=desc#results |archive-date=June 1, 2008 |access-date=August 23, 2010 |website=National Journal}}</ref> and GovTrack ranked him as the 33rd most politically left in the 117th Congress.<ref name="govtrack">{{Cite web |title=Rep. James "Jim" McGovern's 2022 Report Card |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/james_mcgovern/400263/report-card/2022 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=Gov Track}}</ref> The ''Washington Post'' noted numerous similarities between McGovern and his mentor, 1972 Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern: "Both are considered among the most liberal and anti-war lawmakers of their generation. The most prominent difference? They aren't related."<ref name="McGovern Who Runs Gov" />

From 1997 to 2007, the liberal advocacy group Americans for Democratic Action gave him an average vote rating of 98.5%, whereas its conservative counterpart, the American Conservative Union, gave him an average vote rating of 2.5%.<ref>Data assembled from {{Harvnb|Koszczuk|Angle|2007}} and previous editions.</ref> The United States Chamber of Commerce, which advocates for business-oriented policies, gave McGovern a 33% lifetime rating as of 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How They Voted 2011 – House |url=http://www.uschamber.com/issues/legislators/how-they-voted-2011-house |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216105229/http://www.uschamber.com/issues/legislators/how-they-voted-2011-house |archive-date=February 16, 2013 |access-date=February 2, 2013 |publisher=United States Chamber of Commerce}}</ref>

==Family and personal life== thumb|McGovern and wife Lisa Murray McGovern in 2020 attend the lying in state of Georgia Congressman John Lewis.|left McGovern lives in Worcester with his wife, Lisa Murray McGovern, a former aide to U.S. Representative Gerry Studds. They have a son, Patrick, and a daughter, Molly. He has two sisters, who are teachers in the Worcester public school system.<ref name="bio">{{Harvnb|McGovern|2010}}.</ref> McGovern announced in April 2025 that his daughter Molly, who had been battling cancer, had died unexpectedly while in Italy.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Huynh |first1=Anjali |last2=Vega |first2=Alyssa |title=Mass. Representative Jim McGovern says his daughter died 'unexpectedly' in Italy |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/24/metro/jim-mcgovern-daughter-dies/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |work=The Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>

In November 2010, McGovern underwent surgery to remove his thyroid gland after being diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, from which he has recovered.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 8, 2010 |title=Rep. McGovern has surgery for thyroid cancer |work=The Boston Globe |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/11/08/rep_mcgovern_has_surgery_for_thyroid_cancer/ |url-status=dead |access-date=November 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111020351/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/11/08/rep_mcgovern_has_surgery_for_thyroid_cancer/ |archive-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref>

McGovern is Roman Catholic and says that his legislative initiatives such as increased spending on global nutrition and raising taxes on higher income earners originate from the Catholic Church's efforts to serve the poor.<ref name="Massachusetts Catholics in Congress">{{Cite news |last=Lednicer |first=Lisa Grace |date=March 31, 2014 |title=Massachusetts Catholics in Congress — accustomed to being shunned by the Vatican — are encouraged by thaw under Pope Francis |language=en-US |work=The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners |location=District of Columbia |publication-place=Boston |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/03/30/massachusetts-catholics-congress-accustomed-being-shunned-vatican-are-encouraged-thaw-under-pope-francis/cUi3Ur493XEzLNEba9h7GP/story.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406160745/http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/03/30/massachusetts-catholics-congress-accustomed-being-shunned-vatican-are-encouraged-thaw-under-pope-francis/cUi3Ur493XEzLNEba9h7GP/story.html |archive-date=April 6, 2014 |quote=From the beginning, Representative Jim McGovern’s political life was entwined with his Catholic faith. As a young aide to Democratic Representative Joe Moakley in the early 1990s, McGovern led an investigation into the murders of six Jesuits and two lay women in El Salvador. As a congressman, he has pushed for more spending on global nutrition, higher taxes on the wealthy, and other positions that, he says, derive from the Catholic Church’s mission to serve the poor.}}</ref> He has also said that he draws inspiration from Jesuit values, and in particular from his work as a congressional staffer to investigate the 1989 murders of Jesuits in El Salvador. McGovern told ''America'' magazine in 2019, "I realized that if you commit yourself to a certain set of values, a life of service, if you are committed to lifting up the poor and standing with the poor, there's something about that that can be very satisfying. It makes you feel like you're living a life that's worthwhile."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-06|title=Martyred Jesuits inspired work and faith of Massachusetts congressman|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/11/06/martyred-jesuits-inspired-work-and-faith-massachusetts-congressman|access-date=2020-11-21|website=America Magazine|language=en}}</ref>

== Publications ==

=== Articles ===

* {{Cite news |last=McGovern |first=Jim |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Opinion: Banning TikTok is a terrible idea |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/21/opinion/banning-tiktok-is-terrible-idea |access-date=July 31, 2024 |work=BostonGlobe.com |language=en-US}} * {{Cite news |last=McGovern |first=Jim |date=April 28, 2020 |title=Opinion: I'm chairman of the House Rules Committee. We need to change the way Congress operates |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/27/im-chairman-house-rules-committee-we-need-change-way-congress-operates |access-date=July 31, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

==Electoral history== {| class=wikitable |+ ! rowspan=2 | ! colspan=3 | Democratic candidate ! colspan=3 | Republican candidate ! colspan=4 | Other candidate

|- | colspan=3 style="line-height: 0.1; background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |   | colspan=3 style="line-height: 0.1; background-color: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |   | colspan=4 style="line-height:0.1; background-color: {{party color|Other}}" |  

|- ! Year ! Candidate ! colspan=2 | Votes ! Candidate ! colspan=2 | Votes ! Candidate ! Party ! colspan=2 | Votes

|- ! 1996

| '''Jim McGovern''' | '''135,047''' | '''52.9%'''

| Peter Blute (Incumbent) | 115,695 | 45.4%

| Dale E. Friedgen | Natural Law | 3,363 | 1.3%

|- ! 1998

| '''Jim McGovern''' (Incumbent) | '''108,613''' | '''56.9%'''

| Matthew J. Amorello | 79,174 | 41.5%

| George Phillies | Libertarian | 2,887 | 1.1%

|- ! 2000

|- ! 2002

|- ! 2004

| '''Jim McGovern''' (Incumbent) | '''192,036''' | '''70.5%'''

|- ! 2006

|- ! 2008

|- ! 2010

| '''Jim McGovern''' (Incumbent) | '''122,357''' | '''56.5%'''

| Marty Lamb | 85,124 | 39.2%

| Patrick Barron | Independent | 9,388 | 4.3%

|- ! 2012

|- ! 2014

|- ! 2016

|- ! 2018

| '''Jim McGovern''' (incumbent) | '''190,129''' | '''67.2%''' | Tracy Lovvorn | 92,974 | 32.8% | colspan=4 align=center | ''None''

|- ! 2020

| '''Jim McGovern''' (incumbent) | '''249,854''' | '''65.3%''' | Tracy Lovvorn | 132,220 | 34.6% | colspan=4 align=center | ''None''

|- ! 2022

| '''Jim McGovern''' (incumbent) | '''180,639''' | '''66.2%''' | Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette | 91,956 | 33.7% | colspan=4 align=center | ''None''

|- ! 2024

| '''Jim McGovern''' (incumbent) | '''251,441''' | '''68.6%''' | Cornelius Shea | 114,065 | 31.1% | colspan=4 align=center | ''None''

Sources:<ref name="elections">Election results, 1996–2008: * {{Cite web |title=Office of the House Clerk – Electoral Statistics |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226190314/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |access-date=September 15, 2010 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |pages=1996–2008}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/electionresults.shtml |title=Election Results |publisher=Federal Election Commission |pages=1996–2008 |access-date=September 15, 2010 |archive-date=September 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925101427/http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/electionresults.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="results-2010">Election results, 2010: * {{Cite news |title=US House – 3rd Massachusetts – Campaign 2010 |work=Boston Globe |url=http://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/2010/us_house/mass/3/results/ |url-status=dead |access-date=November 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107031004/http://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/2010/us_house/mass/3/results/ |archive-date=November 7, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Massachusetts Election Results 2018: Live Midterm Map by County & Analysis |language=en |url=https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/massachusetts/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115220139/https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/massachusetts/ |archive-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>

==References==

=== Biographies === * {{Cite book |title=Congressional Directory for the 111th Congress (2009–2010) |publisher=Government Printing Office |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-16-083727-2 |editor-last=Alston |editor-first=Farnsworth |location=Washington |pages=127–128 |chapter=McGovern, James P. |editor-last2=Carter |editor-first2=Mary Ann |editor-last3=Randolph |editor-first3=Sarah |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9nL2Bhq3UYIC&pg=PA435 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=CQ's Politics in America 2008: The 110th Congress |publisher=Congressional Quarterly |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-8728-9545-4 |editor-last=Koszczuk |editor-first=Jackie |location=Washington |pages=[https://archive.org/details/cqspoliticsiname0000kosz_v7v2/page/487 487–488] |chapter=Rep. Jim McGovern (D) |editor-last2=Angle |editor-first2=Martha}} * {{Cite web |last=McGovern |first=James P. |year=2010 |title=About Jim |url=https://mcgovern.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=2&sectiontree=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007032844/http://mcgovern.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=2&sectiontree=2 |archive-date=October 7, 2010 |access-date=September 14, 2010 |website=Congressman James McGovern |publisher=United States House of Representatives}}

==Further reading== {{CongLinks | congbio=M000312 | votesmart=552 | fec=H4MA03022 | congress=james-mcgovern/1504 }}

==External links== {{Sister project links |wikt=no |b=no |c=Category:Jim McGovern |n=no |q=no |s=Author:James P. McGovern |v=no}} * [http://mcgovern.house.gov/ Congressman Jim McGovern] official U.S. House website * [http://jimmcgovern.com/ Jim McGovern for Congress] * {{C-SPAN|45976}}

{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-hs}} {{s-bef|before=Peter Blute}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district|years=1997–2013}} {{s-aft|after=Niki Tsongas}} |- {{s-bef|before=Tom Lantos}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Human Rights Commission|years=2008–2011}} {{s-aft|after=Frank Wolf}} |- {{s-bef|before=Richard Neal}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district|years=2013–present}} {{s-inc}} |- {{s-bef|before=Pete Sessions}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Rules Committee|years=2019–2023}} {{s-aft|after=Tom Cole}} |- {{s-bef|before=Marco Rubio}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Joint China Commission|years=2019–2021}} {{s-aft|after=Jeff Merkley}} |- {{s-bef|before=Randy Hultgren}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Human Rights Commission|years=2019–2023}} {{s-aft|after=Chris Smith}} |- {{s-prec|usa}} {{s-bef|before=Diana DeGette}} {{s-ttl|title=United States representatives by seniority|years=23rd}} {{s-aft|after=Brad Sherman}} |- {{s-bef|before=Zoe Lofgren}} {{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States}} {{s-aft|after=Danny Davis}} {{s-end}}

{{USHouseChairs}} {{USJointChairs}} {{MA-FedRep}} {{Current U.S. representatives}} {{US House Rules chairs}} {{MARepresentatives}} {{USCongRep-start |congresses=105th–present United States Congress |state=Massachusetts}} {{USCongRep/MA/105}} {{USCongRep/MA/106}} {{USCongRep/MA/107}} {{USCongRep/MA/108}} {{USCongRep/MA/109}} {{USCongRep/MA/110}} {{USCongRep/MA/111}} {{USCongRep/MA/112}} {{USCongRep/MA/113}} {{USCongRep/MA/114}} {{USCongRep/MA/115}} {{USCongRep/MA/116}} {{USCongRep/MA/117}} {{USCongRep/MA/118}} {{USCongRep/MA/119}} {{USCongRep-end}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McGovern, Jim}} Category:1959 births Category:20th-century Roman Catholics Category:21st-century United States representatives Category:21st-century Roman Catholics Category:American individuals subject to Chinese government sanctions Category:American University School of Public Affairs alumni Category:Catholic politicians from Massachusetts Category:Democratic Party United States representatives from Massachusetts Category:Liberalism in the United States Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Worcester, Massachusetts Category:Progressivism in the United States Category:United States congressional aides Category:Worcester Academy alumni