Barack Obama

Former senator for Illinois · Democrat; served until November 16, 2008

View:InteractiveSummary Compare with another member · All members from Illinois

Seats held: Senator for IL, 2005–2008.

Illinois has about 12.7 million residents, represented by two senators.

Votes compared with what constituents said

Cooperative Election Study: voted with 6 of 9 surveyed votes where Illinois's estimated majority was clear.

Each survey is shown on its own, never combined. Votes marked related were on a bill close to what was asked, and aren't counted. How the estimates work.

Survey question	Vote	How they voted	What constituents said	Compared
The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) CES 2011	October 1, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (29.1% support, likely 22.8–35.4%)	Against the majority
The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) CES 2010	October 1, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (31.8% support, likely 25.6–37.9%)	Against the majority
The $700 billion bank bailout (Emergency Economic Stabilization Act) CES 2008	October 1, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (34.1% support, likely 30.3–37.9%)	Against the majority
Federal help for homeowners facing foreclosure (Housing and Economic Recovery Act) CES 2008	July 26, 2008 · official record	Did not vote	Most support (60.6% support, likely 56.9–64.4%)	Didn't vote
Allow eavesdropping on overseas terrorist suspects without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) CES 2011	July 9, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (71.3% support, likely 67.1–75.5%)	With the majority
Allow eavesdropping on overseas communications without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) CES 2008	July 9, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (65.5% support, likely 62–69%)	With the majority
Extend NAFTA-style free trade to Peru (U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement) CES 2008	December 4, 2007 · official record	Did not vote	Too close to call (50.6% support, likely 46.5–54.7%)	Related bill, not counted
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) CES 2008	September 27, 2007 · official record	Did not vote	Most support (76.2% support, likely 73–79.4%)	Didn't vote
Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) CES 2011	April 11, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (69.7% support, likely 65.4–74%)	With the majority
Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) CES 2010	April 11, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (69.9% support, likely 67.3–72.6%)	With the majority
Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) CES 2008	April 11, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (69.5% support, likely 66.1–73%)	With the majority
Raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour (Fair Minimum Wage Act) CES 2008	February 1, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (85.6% support, likely 83.1–88.2%)	With the majority

Attendance

In the 110th Congress, Barack Obama missed 303 of 655 Senate votes (46.3%). On votes where most of their party voted one way, they voted with their party 96% of the time.

Most recent votes

Vote	Date	Their vote
H.R. 1424: A bill to provide authority for the Federal Government to purchase and insure certain types of troubled assets for the purposes of providing stability to and preventing disruption in the economy and financial system and protecting taxpayers, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes. On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed	October 1, 2008	Yea
H.R. 1424: In the nature of a substitute. On the Amendment · Amendment Agreed to	October 1, 2008	Yea
H.R. 7081: A bill to approve the United States-India Agreement for Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, and for other purposes. On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed	October 1, 2008	Yea
H.R. 2095: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety Administration, and for other purposes. On the Motion · Motion Agreed to	October 1, 2008	Yea
H.R. 2095: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety Administration, and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	September 29, 2008	Did not vote
H.R. 2638: A bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. On the Motion · Motion Agreed to	September 27, 2008	Did not vote
H.R. 2638: A bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	September 27, 2008	Did not vote
S. 3604: A bill making emergency supplemental appropriations for economic recovery for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. On the Motion to Proceed · Motion to Proceed Rejected	September 26, 2008	Did not vote
H.R. 6049: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes. On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed	September 23, 2008	Did not vote
H.R. 6049: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. On the Motion · Motion Agreed to	September 23, 2008	Did not vote
H.R. 6049: To provide alternative minimum tax relief, and for other purposes. On the Amendment · Amendment Rejected	September 23, 2008	Did not vote
H.R. 6049: In the nature of a substitute. On the Amendment · Amendment Agreed to	September 23, 2008	Did not vote
S. 3001: An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed	September 17, 2008	Did not vote
S. 3001: An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	September 16, 2008	Did not vote
S. 3001: To repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation. On the Amendment · Amendment Agreed to	September 10, 2008	Did not vote

Every vote, with filters, on the interactive page.

Figures as of November 10, 2026, from the official vote records and published survey data listed on the Sources page. The interactive page always shows the latest. Found an error? Tell us.