Christopher Shays

Former representative for Connecticut's 4th district · Republican; served until January 3, 2009

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Seats held: Representative for CT-4, 1987–2009.

Votes compared with what constituents said

Cooperative Election Study: voted with 7 of 11 surveyed votes where the district'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 3, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (34.6% support, likely 22.9–46.4%)	Against the majority
The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) CES 2010	October 3, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (33.6% support, likely 21.3–46%)	Against the majority
The $700 billion bank bailout (Emergency Economic Stabilization Act) CES 2008	October 3, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (32% support, likely 23.3–40.6%)	Against the majority
Federal help for homeowners facing foreclosure (Housing and Economic Recovery Act) CES 2008	July 23, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (56.6% support, likely 46–67.2%)	Too close to call
Allow eavesdropping on overseas terrorist suspects without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) CES 2011	June 20, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (73.9% support, likely 64–83.8%)	With the majority
Allow eavesdropping on overseas communications without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) CES 2008	June 20, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (65.5% support, likely 56.7–74.3%)	With the majority
Extend NAFTA-style free trade to Peru (U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement) CES 2008	November 8, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (51.4% support, likely 42.4–60.3%)	Related bill, not counted
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) CES 2008	September 25, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (78.1% support, likely 69.6–86.5%)	With the majority
Withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq within 180 days (Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act) CES 2008	July 12, 2007 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Most support (63.1% support, likely 53.5–72.6%)	Against the majority
Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) CES 2011	June 7, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (71.8% support, likely 62–81.6%)	With the majority
Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) CES 2010	June 7, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (71.1% support, likely 63.5–78.8%)	With the majority
Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) CES 2008	June 7, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (71.5% support, likely 63–80%)	With the majority
Raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour (Fair Minimum Wage Act) CES 2008	January 10, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (86.3% support, likely 78.9–93.6%)	With the majority

Attendance

In the 110th Congress, Christopher Shays missed 97 of 1,861 House votes (5.2%). On votes where most of their party voted one way, they voted with their party 79.9% of the time.

Most recent votes

Vote	Date	Their vote
H.R. 7321: Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act On Passage · Passed	December 10, 2008	Nay
H.R. 7321: On Agreeing to the Amendment On Agreeing to the Amendment · Agreed to	December 10, 2008	Yea
H.Res. 1534: Providing for consideration of H.R. 7321, to authorize financial assistance to eligible automobile manufacturers, and for other purposes On Agreeing to the Resolution · Passed	December 10, 2008	Nay
H.Res. 1534: Providing for consideration of H.R. 7321, to authorize financial assistance to eligible automobile manufacturers, and for other purposes On Ordering the Previous Question · Passed	December 10, 2008	Nay
On Approving the Journal On Approving the Journal · Passed	December 10, 2008	Did not vote
H.Res. 1533: Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of Rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules On Agreeing to the Resolution · Passed	December 10, 2008	Did not vote
H.Res. 1533: Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of Rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules On Ordering the Previous Question · Passed	December 10, 2008	Did not vote
H.R. 6867: Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed	October 3, 2008	Yea
S. 3197: National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed	October 3, 2008	Yea
H.R. 1424: Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 On Motion to Concur in Senate Amendments · Passed	October 3, 2008	Yea
H.Res. 1525: Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 1424, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. On Agreeing to the Resolution · Passed	October 3, 2008	Nay
H.Res. 1525: Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 1424, Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. On Ordering the Previous Question · Passed	October 3, 2008	Nay
H.R. 7221: Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed	October 2, 2008	Yea
S. 3641: To authorize funding for the National Crime Victim Law Institute to provide support for victims of crime under Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs as a part of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. Table Motion to Reconsider · Passed	October 2, 2008	Did not vote
S. 3641: To authorize funding for the National Crime Victim Law Institute to provide support for victims of crime under Crime Victims Legal Assistance Programs as a part of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed	October 2, 2008	Yea

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.