Legislative Record
Nancy Mace’s voting record in Congress reflects a generally conservative stance, with notable exceptions on several issues. She tends to support limited government, fiscal responsibility, and border security, but occasionally breaks from GOP orthodoxy, particularly on issues like abortion and criminal justice reform
- Fiscal Issues: Strong supporter of spending cuts and debt reduction, often voting against increased budgets and entitlement expansions.
- Abortion: Advocated for, and voted to include, exceptions for rape and incest in abortion legislation; has been publicly critical of total bans without exceptions.
- Border and Immigration: Supported Secure the Border Act of 2023, which increased border security measures and limited asylum protections.
- Environmental Policy: Opposed offshore oil drilling and seismic testing off the SC coast, earning high scores from conservation organizations.
- Labor and Welfare: Frequently votes to restrict unemployment benefits and block expansions to Medicaid and SNAP; scored low with labor groups (AFL-CIO lifetime score 0%).
- Education and Student Loans: Voted against federal student loan relief programs and supported resolutions blocking Biden administration student debt forgiveness.
- Healthcare: Supports market-driven healthcare reforms, and opposed public option expansion and additional federal mandates on health insurers.
- Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023: Supported spending cuts and limitations on federal spending.
- REINS Act: Voted to require Congressional approval for major federal regulations.
- Pandemic Is Over Act: Supported bills ending federal COVID-19 emergency measures.
- H.R.1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Voted in favor of it in Congress.
- Criminal Justice Reform: Sponsored and passed legislation ending the shackling of pregnant inmates in South Carolina prisons.
- Environmental Protection: Consistently voted against efforts to expand oil drilling and weaken clean water standards.
| Organization | Score/Rating | Year |
| Heritage Action | 85–91% (Conservative) | 2023–2024 |
| AFL-CIO | 0% (Pro-labor) | 2023 |
| Conservation Voters | 100% (Environmental) | Lifetime |
| NORML (Marijuana) | Supports reform | 2024 |
Nancy Mace’s record shows both strong party loyalty and periodic moderation, making her one of South Carolina’s more independent-minded Republican lawmakers.
Top Bills Sponsored or Co-sponsored by Mace
Here are summaries of Nancy Mace’s five highest-profile bills in Congress, reflecting her major policy priorities and legislative focus:
1. Gender-Affirming Child Abuse Prevention Act (H.R.4953)
This bill seeks to allow lawsuits against medical providers who perform gender-affirming care—such as puberty blockers or surgeries—for minors, unless medically necessary. It frames such interventions without medical consensus as potential child abuse, making providers liable in civil court for damages if they are sued years after treatment.
2. Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act (PAAW Act, H.R.4698)
The PAAW Act prohibits the National Institutes of Health from funding research that causes significant pain or distress to dogs and cats. It requires NIH to report annually to Congress on all dog and cat experiments, including costs and efforts to phase them out. This legislation targets “taxpayer-funded animal cruelty” in research.
3. Standing With Moms Act
This bill would create a federal resource website (life.gov) to link pregnant women to crisis pregnancy centers and other organizations promoting non-abortion alternatives. It promotes extensive support for anti-abortion groups and resources, focusing on expanding awareness and access to pregnancy support services.
4. MACE Act (Modernizing Federal Cybersecurity Job Requirements)
A bipartisan bill, the MACE Act updates and modernizes federal cybersecurity hiring and qualification standards to attract a wider pool of professionals, aiming to enhance federal cyber defenses. It was notable as the last bill passed under Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023.
5. Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act
This legislation aims to share federal revenues from offshore wind power directly with states, allocating funds to coastal restoration and economic resilience projects. It advances federal support for conservation efforts, wind energy, and local environmental protection, notably benefiting coastal districts like Mace’s.
These bills highlight Nancy Mace’s focus on controversial social issues, animal welfare, pregnancy and abortion alternatives, cybersecurity modernization, and coastal environmental restoration—several of which have drawn significant media coverage and bipartisan interest.