While partisan votes are still prevalent in the House, there’s a small cadre of lawmakers who regularly diverge from party lines. This group disrupts leadership directives, influences significant outcomes, and reveals underlying fractures in both political parties.
Using voting data from the 119th Congress, the following legislators stand out for their frequent dissent in 2025, ranging from well-known rebels to less prominent members whose disagreement has even caught the attention of Capitol Hill insiders.
10. Eric Burleson, Republican
Rep. Eric Burleson (R-Mo.) shares the tenth spot with Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.). His inclusion is a bit unexpected. Unlike the other two, who are known for defying their party, Burleson is more focused on policy issues and doesn’t usually stray far from the GOP path. Nevertheless, he voted against the majority of his party 46 times, amounting to an opposition rate of 13.8%, placing him within the top 10 last year.
In 2025, Burleson broke ranks whenever bills aimed at tightening regulations or increasing the federal government’s burdens were proposed. He also supported several amendments that ultimately did not pass, many of which were introduced by like-minded conservative colleagues.
9. Andy Biggs, Republican
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) is recognized for his tough stances on various issues, including immigration and fiscal responsibility. Last year, he diverged from the Republican majority 48 times, which represents 14.2% of his votes. Biggs, along with others on the list, opposed a bill that was broadly supported in a bipartisan manner but lost traction among conservatives in his party.
8. Chip Roy, Republican
Chip Roy (R-Texas) may not lead the House Freedom Caucus, but he plays a significant role in shaping its direction. The group is known for adhering strictly to party lines on government size and spending issues. Last year, Roy voted against the majority of his party 53 times, which is 15.7% of his total votes. He has consistently opposed measures expanding governmental scope.
Interestingly, Roy has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2026, opting to pursue a position as Texas attorney general instead.
7. Adam Gray, Democrat
Rep. Adam Gray (D-Calif.) holds a seat in a fiercely competitive district, having won election in 2024 by a mere 187 votes over his Republican opponent. In the 119th Congress, he dissented from the Democratic majority 60 times, which accounts for a significant 18.4% of his votes, indicating a willingness to collaborate with Republican lawmakers on key issues.
For instance, he allied with them to reopen the government after a substantial 43-day shutdown, an act that saw him as one of the few Democrats crossing the aisle.
6. Vicente Gonzalez, Democrat
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) faced remarkable challenges in the 2024 elections, narrowly defeating his rival 51.3% to 48.7%. In Congress, Gonzalez broke from the Democratic Party’s position 19.76% of the time, including several votes in favor of Republican proposals in the final stretch of the session.
Notably, he contributed to passing the Laken-Riley Act, facilitating the detention of undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities, and he supported an amendment that would boost protections for infants who survive abortion attempts.
5. Don Davis, Democrat
Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) diverged from his party’s positions 70 times, making him one of the members most inclined to rebel against party directives. He participated in key votes alongside Republicans, including a motion to dismiss a resolution for Trump’s impeachment and efforts to reopen the government after a shutdown.
Davis, too, won his 2024 election with a narrow victory margin of just 1.7%.
4. Jared Golden, Democrat
Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) is known for his willingness to collaborate across party lines. He voted against his party’s majority on 20.8% of his ballots. His votes often included supporting measures that reflect bipartisan concerns, even siding with Republicans to terminate a governmental shutdown.
Golden has declared he won’t seek re-election in 2026, citing the increasingly divided political environment.
3. Thomas Massey, Republican
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) stands out for his readiness to confront his party on crucial matters like fiscal issues and transparency, gaining considerable media attention for it. In the 119th Congress, he defied the majority of his party 73 times, which accounts for 22.3% of his votes.
His recent efforts include championing the Epstein File Transparency Act, aimed at releasing documents tied to the controversial financier’s past.
2. Marie Grusenkamp Perez, Democrat
Rep. Marie Grusenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) has found herself in the spotlight for often straying from Democratic norms. She broke party lines 77 times, marking 22.5% of her votes during her first year in Congress. Grusenkamp Perez recently supported Republican-led initiatives, including a defense bill and the Laken-Riley Act.
In her tightly contested elections, she narrowly beat her Republican challenger.
1. Henry Cuellar, Democrat
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) is the most notable defector among Democrats in 2025, having voted against party majority positions 83 times—24.1% of his votes. His political standing was challenged after his indictment on bribery charges, but following a pardon, he announced his intention to run for re-election as a Democrat.
Although his voting history raises eyebrows, Cuellar’s recent race was deemed less competitive compared to others on the list, winning by a comfortable margin in the last election.
