Melvin L. Watt

Former representative for North Carolina's 12th district · Democrat; served until January 6, 2014

View:InteractiveSummary Compare with another member · All members from North Carolina

Seats held: Representative for NC-12, 1993–2014.

Votes compared with what constituents said

Cooperative Election Study: voted with 29 of 34 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
Student Success Act (return control of K-12 school standards to states) CES 2013	July 19, 2013 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Most oppose (33.5% support, likely 23.8–43.2%)	With the majority
Ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy (Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act) CES 2013	June 18, 2013 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Most support (62.7% support, likely 52.9–72.4%)	Against the majority
Repeal the Affordable Care Act CES 2013	May 16, 2013 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Too close to call (49.9% support, likely 39.9–59.9%)	Too close to call
Renew the Violence Against Women Act CES 2013	February 28, 2013 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (89.8% support, likely 81.5–98.1%)	With the majority
Renew the Violence Against Women Act CES 2015	February 28, 2013 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (96.5% support, likely 90.1–100%)	With the majority
Tax Hike Prevention Act (extend the Bush-era income tax cuts for all incomes) CES 2012	August 1, 2012 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Most oppose (25.9% support, likely 19–32.9%)	With the majority
Repeal the Affordable Care Act CES 2012	July 11, 2012 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Most oppose (40.5% support, likely 32.4–48.6%)	With the majority
Ryan budget plan (House budget resolution for 2013) CES 2012	March 29, 2012 · official record	Did not vote	Most oppose (15.1% support, likely 8.3–21.9%)	Didn't vote
Simpson-Bowles budget plan CES 2012	March 28, 2012 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (46.2% support, likely 38–54.4%)	Too close to call
U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement CES 2012	October 12, 2011 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Too close to call (48.4% support, likely 40.1–56.6%)	Too close to call
End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) CES 2011	December 15, 2010 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (64.3% support, likely 54.9–73.7%)	With the majority
End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) CES 2012	December 15, 2010 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (68.4% support, likely 60.5–76.2%)	With the majority
Financial reform (Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) CES 2010	June 30, 2010 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (68.2% support, likely 60.5–75.9%)	With the majority
Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (let gay people serve openly in the military) CES 2010	May 27, 2010 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (60.9% support, likely 53–68.7%)	With the majority
Health care reform (Affordable Care Act) CES 2011	March 21, 2010 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (61.3% support, likely 51.8–70.8%)	With the majority
Affordable Care Act of 2010 CES 2012	March 21, 2010 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (66.6% support, likely 57.6–75.6%)	With the majority
Health care reform (Affordable Care Act) CES 2010	March 21, 2010 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (62.5% support, likely 53.6–71.3%)	With the majority
Health care reform (House bill, November 2009) CES 2009	November 7, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (51.4% support, likely 40.7–62.2%)	Too close to call
American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) CES 2009	June 26, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (66.2% support, likely 55.7–76.6%)	With the majority
American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) CES 2011	June 26, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (64.4% support, likely 52.9–75.9%)	With the majority
American Clean Energy and Security Act (cap and trade) CES 2010	June 26, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (70.2% support, likely 62.7–77.7%)	With the majority
Expand federal hate-crimes law to cover sexual orientation and gender identity CES 2009	April 29, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (66.3% support, likely 56.7–75.9%)	With the majority
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) CES 2009	February 13, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (52.9% support, likely 41.6–64.1%)	Too close to call
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) CES 2011	February 13, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (66.5% support, likely 57.1–75.9%)	With the majority
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) CES 2010	February 13, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (62.9% support, likely 54.5–71.3%)	With the majority
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) CES 2009	February 4, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (77.5% support, likely 68.4–86.6%)	With the majority
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) CES 2011	February 4, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (80.2% support, likely 69.3–91.1%)	With the majority
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) CES 2010	February 4, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (77.9% support, likely 70.8–85%)	With the majority
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (more time to sue over pay discrimination) CES 2009	January 27, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (69.2% support, likely 59.8–78.6%)	With the majority
The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) CES 2011	October 3, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (26.5% support, likely 15.9–37%)	Against the majority
The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) CES 2010	October 3, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (33.5% support, likely 22.4–44.7%)	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 (33.5% support, likely 24.2–42.8%)	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)	Most support (66.7% support, likely 56.9–76.6%)	With the majority
Allow eavesdropping on overseas terrorist suspects without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) CES 2011	June 20, 2008 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Most support (68.4% support, likely 59.1–77.7%)	Against the majority
Allow eavesdropping on overseas communications without a court order (FISA Amendments Act) CES 2008	June 20, 2008 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Too close to call (59.9% support, likely 50–69.9%)	Too close to call
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 (42.8% support, likely 33.4–52.2%)	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 (79.6% support, likely 71.7–87.6%)	With the majority
Withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq within 180 days (Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act) CES 2008	July 12, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (62.7% support, likely 52.2–73.2%)	With 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 (71.9% support, likely 62.9–80.9%)	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 (70.9% support, likely 63.4–78.5%)	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 (69.7% support, likely 60.5–78.8%)	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 (86.1% support, likely 78.8–93.5%)	With the majority

Attendance

In the 113th Congress, Melvin L. Watt missed 29 of 641 House votes (4.5%). On votes where most of their party voted one way, they voted with their party 94.7% of the time.

Most recent votes

Vote	Date	Their vote
H.Res. 441: Providing for concurrence by the House in the Senate amendments to H.R. 3304, with an amendment On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree · Passed	December 12, 2013	Nay
H.J.Res. 59: Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes On Motion to Recede and Concur in the Senate Amendment with Amendment · Passed	December 12, 2013	Nay
On Approving the Journal On Approving the Journal · Passed	December 12, 2013	Yea
H.Res. 438: Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.J.Res. 59, making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules; providing for proceedings during the period from December 14, 2013, through January 6, 2014 On Agreeing to the Resolution · Passed	December 12, 2013	Nay
H.Res. 438: Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.J.Res. 59, making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules; providing for proceedings during the period from December 14, 2013, through January 6, 2014 On Ordering the Previous Question · Passed	December 12, 2013	Nay
H.R. 1992: To amend the requirements relating to assessment of Israel’s qualitative military edge over military threats, and for other purposes On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed	December 11, 2013	Did not vote
H.R. 3212: To ensure compliance with the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction by countries with which the United States enjoys reciprocal obligations, to establish procedures for the prompt return of children abducted to other countries, and for other purposes On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed	December 11, 2013	Did not vote
S. 1471: To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of the Army to reconsider decisions to inter or honor the memory of a person in a national cemetery, and for other purposes On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed	December 11, 2013	Did not vote
H.R. 2319: To clarify certain provisions of the Native American Veterans’ Memorial Establishment Act of 1994 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed	December 11, 2013	Did not vote
H.R. 2019: Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed	December 11, 2013	Did not vote
H.R. 1402: VA Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2013 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed	December 10, 2013	Did not vote
H.R. 3521: Department of Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act of 2013 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed	December 10, 2013	Did not vote
H.R. 3309: The Innovation Act On Passage · Passed	December 5, 2013	Nay
H.R. 3309: On Agreeing to the Amendment On Agreeing to the Amendment · Failed	December 5, 2013	Yea
H.R. 3309: On Agreeing to the Amendment On Agreeing to the Amendment · Agreed to	December 5, 2013	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.