Robert Byrd

Former senator for West Virginia · Democrat; served until June 28, 2010

Open the full interactive page Compare with another member · All members from West Virginia

Seats held: Senator for WV, 1959–2010 · Representative for WV-6, 1953–1959.

West Virginia has about 1.8 million residents, represented by two senators.

Votes compared with what constituents said

Cooperative Election Study: voted with 10 of 15 surveyed votes where West Virginia'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
Health care reform (Affordable Care Act) CES 2011	December 24, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (52.9% support, likely 45.2–60.6%)	Too close to call
Affordable Care Act of 2010 CES 2012	December 24, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (47.8% support, likely 41.3–54.4%)	Too close to call
Health care reform (Affordable Care Act) CES 2010	December 24, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (50% support, likely 43.5–56.5%)	Too close to call
Confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court CES 2009	August 6, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (50.5% support, likely 42.8–58.3%)	Too close to call
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) CES 2009	February 13, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (54.4% support, likely 46.7–62.1%)	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 (60.2% support, likely 52.8–67.7%)	With the majority
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the 2009 stimulus) CES 2010	February 13, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Too close to call (49.8% support, likely 43.6–56%)	Too close to call
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) CES 2009	January 29, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (79.3% support, likely 72.4–86.2%)	With the majority
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) CES 2011	January 29, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (79.6% support, likely 71.4–87.7%)	With the majority
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) CES 2010	January 29, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (78.1% support, likely 72.6–83.5%)	With the majority
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (more time to sue over pay discrimination) CES 2009	January 22, 2009 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (65.2% support, likely 57.7–72.8%)	With the majority
The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) CES 2011	October 1, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (26% support, likely 17.6–34.3%)	Against the majority
The 2008 bank bailout (Troubled Asset Relief Program) CES 2010	October 1, 2008 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most oppose (28.5% support, likely 19.9–37.1%)	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 (23.3% support, likely 17.6–29.1%)	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 (54.2% support, likely 47.5–60.9%)	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 (72.9% support, likely 65.7–80.1%)	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 (70.6% support, likely 64.8–76.5%)	Against the majority
Extend NAFTA-style free trade to Peru (U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement) CES 2008	December 4, 2007 · official record	Nay (against the proposal)	Too close to call (43.6% support, likely 36.9–50.2%)	Related bill, not counted
Expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) CES 2008	September 27, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (78.5% support, likely 73.1–84%)	With the majority
Fund research using embryonic stem cells (Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) CES 2011	April 11, 2007 · official record	Yea (for the proposal)	Most support (64.5% support, likely 56.9–72%)	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 (62.2% support, likely 56–68.3%)	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 (60.4% support, likely 53.7–67.1%)	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 (84.4% support, likely 79.6–89.1%)	With the majority

Attendance

In the 111th Congress, Robert Byrd missed 280 of 597 Senate votes (46.9%). On votes where most of their party voted one way, they voted with their party 90.5% of the time.

Most recent votes

Vote	Date	Their vote
H.R. 4213: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Rejected	June 24, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 2194: A bill to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran. On the Conference Report · Conference Report Agreed to	June 24, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: In the nature of a substitute. On the Motion to Table · Motion to Table Agreed to	June 23, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. On the Motion to Table · Motion to Table Agreed to	June 23, 2010	Did not vote
Marc T. Treadwell, of Georgia, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed	June 21, 2010	Did not vote
Mark A. Goldsmith, of Michigan, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed	June 21, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: In the nature of a substitute. On the Cloture Motion · Cloture Motion Rejected	June 17, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: Of a perfecting nature. On the Motion · Motion Rejected	June 17, 2010	Nay
H.R. 4213: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the time for closing on a principal residence eligible for the first-time homebuyer credit. On the Amendment · Amendment Rejected	June 16, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the time for closing on a principal residence eligible for the first-time homebuyer credit. On the Amendment · Amendment Agreed to	June 16, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: In the nature of a substitute. On the Motion · Motion Rejected	June 16, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: To establish the Office of the Homeowner Advocate for purposes of addressing problems with the Home Affordable Modification Program. On the Amendment · Amendment Agreed to	June 15, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: To ensure that any new revenues to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund will be used for the purposes of the fund and not used as a budget gimmick to offset deficit spending. On the Amendment · Amendment Rejected	June 15, 2010	Did not vote
H.R. 4213: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate big oil and gas company tax loopholes, and to use the resulting increase in revenues to reduce the deficit and to invest in energy efficiency and conservation. On the Amendment · Amendment Rejected	June 15, 2010	Did not vote
Brian Anthony Jackson, of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Louisiana On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed	June 15, 2010	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.