Joseph Biden

Former senator for Delaware · Democrat; served until January 15, 2009

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

Seats held: Senator for DE, 1973–2009.

Delaware has about 1.1 million residents, represented by two senators.

Votes compared with what constituents said

Cooperative Election Study: voted with 4 of 9 surveyed votes where Delaware'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 (28.1% support, likely 19.2–37%)	Against the majority
The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) CES 2010	October 1, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (29.7% support, likely 20.9–38.5%)	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 (27.2% support, likely 19.9–34.5%)	Against the majority
Federal help for homeowners facing foreclosure (Housing and Economic Recovery Act) CES 2008	July 26, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (53.8% support, likely 45.9–61.8%)	Too close to call
Allow eavesdropping on overseas terrorist suspects without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) CES 2011	July 9, 2008 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Most support (73.1% support, likely 64.8–81.4%)	Against the majority
Allow eavesdropping on overseas communications without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) CES 2008	July 9, 2008 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Most support (69.8% support, likely 62.8–76.9%)	Against 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 (53.5% support, likely 45.6–61.3%)	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 (75.9% support, likely 69.2–82.6%)	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 (67.6% support, likely 59.1–76%)	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 (66.7% support, likely 59.9–73.5%)	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 (67.8% support, likely 59.8–75.7%)	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 (85.4% support, likely 79.4–91.5%)	With the majority

Attendance

In the 111th Congress, Joseph Biden missed 3 of 5 Senate votes (60%). On votes where most of their party voted one way, they voted with their party 100% of the time.

Most recent votes

Vote	Date	Their vote
S.J.Res. 5: A joint resolution relating to the disapproval of obligations under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. On the Joint Resolution · Joint Resolution Defeated	January 15, 2009	Nay
S. 181: A bill to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and to modify the operation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful under such Acts occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	January 15, 2009	Yea
S. 22: A bill to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes. On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed	January 15, 2009	Did not vote
S. 22: A bill to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	January 14, 2009	Did not vote
S. 22: A bill to designate certain land components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	January 11, 2009	Did not vote
H.R. 7005: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide alternative minimum tax relief for individuals for 2008. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Rejected	December 11, 2008	Did not vote
H.R. 6867: A bill to provide for additional emergency unemployment compensation. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Agreed to	November 20, 2008	Did not 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	Did not vote
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

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.