Voting Records

Voting Records

Voting records of South Carolina US elected officials:

see bottom of page for more

Rep Gresham Barrett

http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=14577

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400016

Rep Joe Wilson

http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=3985

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400433

Sen Lindsey Graham

http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=21992

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300047

Sen Jim DeMint

http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=25026

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400105

Veterans Issues / McCain

2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 20 percent in 2006.
2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator McCain a grade of D.
2005 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 25 percent in 2005.

Veterans Issues / Obama

2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 80 percent in 2006.
2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Obama a grade of B+.
2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 92 percent in 2005.

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Senator McCain's Real Record on the War in Iraq
http://votevets.org/mccain.html

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9/2007: McCain voted AGAINST bill that required a minimum rest period equal to or greater than the time spent on the last deployment in Iraq/Afghanistan.
http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00341

5/2006: McCain voted AGAINST $20 Million to VA for health care facilities.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00111

4/2006: McCain voted AGAINST $430,000,000 to VA for Medical Services.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00098

3/2006: McCain voted AGAINST increasing Vet-medical services $1.5 billion in FY2007.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00041

3/2004: McCain voted AGAINST increasing Vet-medical care by $1.8 billion.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=2&vote=00040

10/2003: McCain voted to TABLE an amendment for $322,000,000 for safety equipment for USforces. "Table"= vote never hits floor.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00376

10/2003: McCain voted to TABLE a vote for $1 Billion for National Guard and Reserve Equipment in Iraq dueto:shortage of helmets, tents, bullet-proof inserts, & tactical vests.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00116 http://capwiz.com/vva/e4/cinfo/?id=157301

(h/t GottaLaff )

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Voting Against the Environment

"0" on League of Conservation Voters 2007 Scorecard
http://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/lcv-releases-2007-national-environmental-scorecard.html

A lifetime LCV score of 24 percent
http://lcv.org/scorecard/2007.pdf
http://lcv.org/images/client/pdfs/LCV_2006_Scorecard_final.pdf

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Support for Big Oil
McCain Accepted $291,658 from Big Oil in 2007
McCain Missed Opportunity To End Big Oil Tax Breaks to Invest in Clean Energy.
Spokesman Said McCain Would Have Voted With Big Oil.
McCain Tax Plan Huge Windfall for ExxonMobil, Others.
McCain Repeatedly Voted Against American Consumers and for Rich Oil Companies.
McCain Said U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil Was A Security Threat, Yet He Voted Against Reducing that Dependence.
McCain Once Called for End to Tax Breaks for Oil and Gas Companies.

Voting Against Clean Renewable Energy and Efficiency
McCain Skipped Vote on Green Tax Credits in Stimulus Package.
McCain Skipped Vote on Renewable Energy.
McCain Skipped Vote to Establish $32.1B of Tax Incentives for Renewable Energy and Efficiency.
McCain Opposes Renewable Electricity.
• 2005: Voted against a renewable portfolio standard
• 2002: Voted against 20 percent requirement:
• 2002 (Vote 55): Voted to gut 10 percent requirement:
• 2002 (Vote 59): voted to gut 10 percent requirement:
McCain Has No Plan To Increase Energy Efficiency.
ALL LINKS HERE:
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2008/mccain_gw_record.html

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The "Experience" Issue (h/t professorfate's time & work)
Does experience trump judgement?
McCain vs Obama - using VoteSmart.org http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm

Topic: Not Voting -- Important issues that John McCain decided he did not want to decide; he didn’t vote.
NV = Not Voting

Clean Energy Achievement Criteria Motion Agreed Senate (56 - 39)
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=13969
McCain NV Obama Yes

Alternative Energy Subsidies Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 36)
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=14155
McCain NV Obama Yes

Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=13971
McCain NV Obama Yes

Preventing Petroleum Export Organizations (NOPEC Act of 2007)
Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 23)
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=14007&can_id=9490
McCain NV Obama Yes

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978
Amendments Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 28)
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=20044
McCain NV Obama Yes

Striking Telecom Immunity from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Bill
Amendment Rejected - Senate(32 - 66)
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=20044
McCain NV Obama Yes

Equal Pay Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=18842
McCain NV Obama Yes

Iraq and Afghanistan War Funding, Unemployment Benefits Extension, and
GI Bill Concurrence Vote Passed (Senate) (92 - 6)
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=20208
McCain NV Obama Yes

Bills Organized by Category: This section provides a little more detail on the bills.

Topic: Defense

Intelligence Appropriations Declassification amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56)
McCain No Obama Not in Senate
Bill Number: S 858
Date: 06/19/1997
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that requires the President to include in the annual
budget the total amount appropriated and total amount requested for intelligence
for the current fiscal year.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.phpcs_id=V1300&can_id=53270

Iraq Troop Reduction Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 47)
McCain No Obama Yes
Date: 09/21/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment to begin reducing the number of U.S. forces in Iraq within 90 days of the
enactment of this bill, with the exception of a limited number of U.S. forces
to be engaged in targeted counterterrorism, the training of Iraqi forces, and the protection of
U.S. personnel and infrastructure.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=15925&can_id=53352

Time Between Troop Deployments Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 44)
McCain NO Obama Yes
Date: 09/19/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that adds language to HR 1585 establishing mandatory minimum rest
periods for members of the regular and reserve components of the armed forces
between deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and expressing the sense of the Congress
concerning ideal rest periods between these deployments.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=15925&can_id=53352

Judicial Review of Detainees Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate
(44 - 54)
McCain NO Obama Yes
Bill Number: S 1042
Date: 11/15/2005
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that alters Senate amendment 2515 to give the United States Court
of Appeals in the District of Columbia (DC) exclusive jurisdiction on habeus corpus claims filed by
or on the behalf of detainees at Guantanamo Bay who have already had a Combatant Status
Review Tribunal.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3713&can_id=9490

Detainees at Guantanamo Bay Amendment Amendment Adopted -
Senate (49 - 42)
McCain YES Obama NO
Bill Number: S 1042
Date: 11/10/2005
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that requires the Secretary of Defense to submit procedures for
determining the status of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to the Committees on the Judiciary
of the Senate and the House.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3682&can_id=9490

Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Treaty rejected -
Senate (48 - 51)
McCain NO Obama not in Senate
Bill Number: Treaty Doc. 105
Date: 10/13/1999
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty that would require 44 countries that
have nuclear power plants or nuclear research reactors to ban nuclear weapons testing six months
after the treaty is ratified.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V2599&can_id=53270

Business Consumer

Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 19)
McCain NO Obama not in Senate
Bill Number: HR 3108
Date: 04/08/2004
Project Vote Smart Synopsis:
Vote to adopt the conference report on a bill that would temporarily help worker pension plans remain
in tact for the next two years until a long-term reform is set in place.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3386&can_id=53270

Minimum Wage Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 49)
McCain NO Obama Yes
Bill Number: S 256
Date: 03/07/2005
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment to S 256 that would increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 over
a two-year time period.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3482&can_id=9490

Topic: Energy

Price-Gouging During Emergencies Amendment Motion Failed - Senate
(57 - 42)
McCain NO Obama Yes
Bill Number: S 2020
Date: 11/17/2005
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote on a motion to waive the Budget Act in order to adopt an amendment that makes it illegal to sell
crude oil, gasoline, or petroleum distillates at a price that is excessive or takes unfair advantage during
a declared state of emergency.
NOTE: A MOTION TO WAIVE THE BUDGET ACT, IF ADOPTED, TEMPORARILY SETS ASIDE A
SPECIFIC PROVISION OF THE BUDGET ACT OF 1974, SO THAT AN AMENDMENT THAT VIOLATES
THE ACT CAN BE CONSIDERED. A MINIMUM OF THREE-FIFTHS MAJORITY IS REQUIRED
FOR ADOPTION.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3704&can_id=53270

Clean Energy Achievement Criteria Motion Agreed - Senate (56 - 39)
McCain NV Obama Yes
Date: 06/14/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to table an amendment that establishes clean energy requirements for electric utilities.
A SENATOR MAY MOVE TO TABLE ANY PENDING QUESTION THE SENATE DOES NOT WISH
TO CONSIDER FURTHER. THE MOTION IS NOT DEBATABLE, AND AGREEMENT TO THE MOTION
IS EQUIVALENT TO DEFEATING THE QUESTION TABLED.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=13969&can_id=55463

Alternative Energy Subsidies Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 36)
McCain NV Obama Yes
Environmental Issues
Date: 06/21/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to invoke closure on an amendment to an amendment that provides tax credits for alternative energy.
NOTE: THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO A SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT. A SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT
REPLACES LANGUAGE WITH ITS OWN.
NOTE: INVOKING CLOTURE REQUIRES A THREE-FIFTHS MAJORITY OF THE SENATE. IT IS NOT
A VOTE ON THE PASSAGE OF THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, BUT RATHER LIMITS FURTHER DEBATE
TO 30 HOURS. CLOTURE IS TYPICALLY USED TO END A FILIBUSTER. A FAILED CLOTURE
VOTE OFTEN PREVENTS THE LEGISLATION FROM EVER COMING TO A VOTE.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=14155&can_id=9490

Energy Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 27)
McCain NV Obama Yes
Date: 06/21/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that establishes provisions for biofuels for the purpose of energy security
and transportation, promotes energy efficiency, establishes provisions for carbon capture and
storage research, development, and demonstration, promotes cost effective and environmentally
sustainable public buildings, prohibits price gouging, and establishes provisions
for energy diplomacy and security.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=13971

Preventing Petroleum Export Organizations (NOPEC Act of 2007) Amendment Adopted - Senate (70 - 23)
McCain NV Obama Yes
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that prevents foreign states who enter into or support multilateral
oil associations from utilizing sovereign immunity within US courts.
Official Title of Legislation:
S Amdt 1519 to HR 6: An act to amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and
exporting cartels illegal.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=14007&can_id=9490

LIHEAP Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
McCain No Obama Yes
Bill Number: S Con Res 83
Date: 03/16/2006
Official Title of Legislation:
S Amdt 3074 to S Con Res 83: To increase funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Program by $3,318,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, increasing the funds available to carry out that program
to the fully authorized level of $5,100,000,000, to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes.
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that increases income security spending by $3.32 billion for 2007
and increases federal revenue.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3808&can_id=53270

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment Motion Failed - Senate (54 - 43)
McCain No Obama Yes
Bill Number: HR 3010
Date: 10/26/2005
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote on a motion to waive the Budget Act in order to adopt an amendment that allocates an
additional $2.92 billion to be designated as an emergency requirement for low income home
energy assistance.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3659&can_id=53270

Reduction in Dependence on Foreign Oil Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
McCain No Obama Yes
Bill Number: HR 6
Date: 06/16/2005
Official Title of Legislation:
S Amdt 784 to HR 6: To improve the energy security of the United States and reduce dependence
on foreign oil imports by 40 percent by 2025.
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that sets a goal to diminish imports of foreign oil by 40 percent over the
next 20 years.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3553&can_id=9490

Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
McCain No Obama Yes
Bill Number: HR 6
Date: 06/16/2005
Official Title of Legislation:
S AMDT 791 to HR 6: To establish a renewable portfolio standard.
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that requires the use of renewable fuel sources in place of fossil fuels.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V3557&can_id=53270

Topic: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 28)
McCain NV Obama Yes
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill related to the acquisition of foreign intelligence via surveillance that defines what type
of individuals may be targeted through electronic surveillance and outlines the certification and
approval processes that are required as precursors to employing electronic surveillance.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=20044

Striking Telecom Immunity from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Bill Amendment Rejected -
Senate(32 - 66)
McCain NV Obama Yes
Date: 07/09/2008
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment removing immunity for telecom companies from the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=20509

Expressing Support for General Petraeus and All Members of the Armed Forces
Amendment Adopted - Senate (72 - 25)
McCain Yes Obama NV
Date: 09/20/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass an amendment to reaffirm support for all men and women of the United States
Armed Forces, to strongly condemn any attacks on General David Petraeus and all members of the
US Armed Forces and to specifically condemn Moveon.org's advertisement about General Petraeus.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=15927

Expressing Support for All Men and Women in the U.S. Armed Forces Amendment Rejected -
Senate (50 - 47)
McCain No Obama Yes
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment that opposes comments that criticize the honor, integrity, and patriotism
of individuals serving or having served honorably in the United States Armed Forces.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=15936

Equal Pay Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
McCain NV Obama Yes
Date: 04/23/2008
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to invoke cloture on a bill that would designate that unequal payment based on race, religion,
sex, national origin, age or disability is a new violation with each payment.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=18842

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 Bill Passed -
Senate (75 - 19)
McCain NO Obama NV
Date: 10/16/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $59.40 billion for the Department of Commerce, the Department
of Justice, science, and other agencies.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=16078&can_id=53270

Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States Cloture Not Invoked (Senate) (56 - 43)
McCain NO Obama Yes
Date: 09/19/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to invoke cloture on an amendment that would reapply the habeas corpus requirement to
persons being detained by the United States.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=15833&can_id=53270

Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted (Senate) (85 - 8)
McCain NV Obama NV
Date: 07/26/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to implement certain
recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=14534

District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Cloture Not Invoked (Senate) (57 - 42)
McCain NO Obama Yes
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to invoke cloture on a bill that increases membership by two in the House of Representatives
to 437 by adding seats in the District of Columbia and Utah, to become effective in the 111th Congress.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=15861&can_id=53270

Foreign Intelligence Acquisition Bill Passed (Senate) (60 - 28)
McCain NV Obama No
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, National Security Issues
Date: 08/03/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the U.S. to monitor foreign electronic communications routed through
the country.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=14626

Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
McCain NO Obama Not in Senate
Bill Number: S 2056
Date: 09/10/1996
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that extends the federal protections provided under the Civil Rights Act to
sexual orientation.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=V1106&can_id=53270

Topic: Campaign Finance and Election Issues

Lobbying and Donation Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate
(83 - 14)
McCain NO Obama Yes
Date: 08/02/2007
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that increases regulations on members of Congress regarding lobbyists and donations.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=14705

Iraq and Afghanistan War Funding, Unemployment Benefits Extension, and GI Bill Concurrence
Vote Passed (Senate) (92 - 6)
McCain NV Obama Yes
Date: 06/26/2008
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to concur on HR 2642, a bill that appropriates $190.39 billion and rescinds $3.86 billion for
a net expenditure of $186.53 billion. This bill provides education funding for certain veterans,
extends unemployment compensation, establishes a moratorium on certain actions regarding
Medicaid, and appropriates funds for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=20208

(h/t professorfate's time & work)

"Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America" rate our elected officials:

REPUBLICANS

Rep. J. Gresham Barrett C-

Rep. Henry E. Brown, Jr. C

Rep. Bob Inglis D

Rep. Joe Wilson C

Senator Jim DeMint F

Senator Lindsey O. Graham D-

DEMOCRATS

Rep. John M. Spratt, Jr. A

Rep. James Clyburn A-