We gauged where senators stand in relation to President Trump on a wide range of controversial issues: Whether they supported or criticized Trump’s firing of FBI Director James B. Comey in May, whether they supported or criticized the Senate’s unpopular repeal plan for the Affordable Care Act in July, and whether they supported or criticized a proposed budget Trump released in May. We also looked at a senator’s overall rhetoric toward Trump since he was inaugurated, and how they reacted to Trump’s comments on the Charlottesville protests.

Trump’s firing of FBI Director James B. Comey Senators were measured on their public statements about Trump’s decision to fire FBI Director James B. Comey on May 9. For each senator, The Fix took into consideration whether the senators criticized, praised or declined to comment on the president’s dismissal of Comey. In May, Trump said he fired Comey at the urging of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein. Two days after Comey was fired, Trump told NBC’s Lester Holt that he made the decision on his own, citing Comey’s involvement in the Russia investigation.

Repeal plan for the Affordable Care Act Senators were measured on their public statements and voting record on the Senate’s health-care bill. For each senator, The Fix gave particular weight to what senators said and how they voted on the motion to begin debate on repealing the Affordable Care Act on July 25, following Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) return to Washington. In July, the GOP’s seven-year quest to repeal and replace Obamacare, one of Trump’s hallmark campaign promises, was halted when three GOP senators voted against the bill.

White House budget Senators were measured on their public statements following the release of the White House Budget for fiscal 2018 on May 23. For each senator, The Fix took into consideration whether they openly criticized, praised or declined to comment on the budget. Highlights of the White House budget include increased spending on defense, such as money for President Trump’s proposed border wall, and decreased funding for several social welfare programs, science and research, as well as the arts.

Overall rhetoric Senators were measured on their public statements about Trump and his ability to lead the country. For each senator, The Fix took into consideration whether they have openly criticized, praised or declined to comment on the president since he took office.

Charlottesville protests Senators were measured on their public statements following Trump’s remarks on the violence at a white-nationalist rally in Charlottesville on Aug. 12. For each senator, The Fix took into consideration whether they openly criticized, praised or declined to comment on the president’s remarks, including his statements to reporters during a news conference on Aug.15. Trump was widely criticized for his initial statements, for placing the blame for the violence “on many sides” and for not condemning white-nationalist groups by name.