Monday, February 25, 2008

Barack Obama -Senate Voting Record





It is obvious Barack Obama is a powerful speaker and his charisma with the people have done him well. Barack's political machine is proving to be an unstoppable machine. However, Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator John McCain make an excellent point questioning how Senator Obama will deal with current issues. Issues that have yet to be solidly debated. This Senator has only been in office since 2005 and was a state senator for 8 years.

The question is: Does he have the skills and knowledge of Washington to get things done? Some say his lack of experience is negative some say it's a positive. Out with old, in with the new? The plain fact is Barack Obama is about overhauling the political machine. Just like a mechanic overhauls an engine, you still have the engine block, you just need to update the mechanical parts of the engine. At least this is how he appears on the outside.

Although this article is about Barack Obama I looked at both of the leading primary candidates. I see the benefit of John Mccain's maverick ways backed with McCain's knowledge of Washington politics and his ability to possibly circumvent some of the red tape to get things done, if he so desires. Additionally, Barack Obama does not have years of Senate experience and he likely does not have many debts to repay in Washington. I say debts as in, comprises paid to other members of congress for helping each other. The old you wash my back, I'll wash your back example. So, chances are he does not have years of debt on compromises to pay back. This could be important in order get things accomplished in congress. This could also be negative if he is unable to compromise. Additionally, on a positive note just as a young kid asks "why?" hopefully, Barack's inexperience will help him ask the hard questions on why things can't be done.

About Barack Obama

Barack Obama has been the subject of many myths circulating around the Internet regarding him and his father. The argument of his father being a Muslim and Barack attending a school that taught Islam is correct. However, Barack Obama and his family currently attend Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and little can be said or done about the choices parents make for their children. Furthermore, with the choice being made to send him to a school teaching Islam, Internet speculation was running rapid regarding him and terrorism. Although people tend to believe rumors, it would be highly unlikely a terrorist would be running for president of the United States. With that being said, I would like to share publicly available research regarding the Obama campaign and his "political machine".

A little history about Barack Obama, he married his wife in 1992. Barack and his wife live on the South side of Chicago. Barack graduated from Columbia University in 1983 and eventually went on to Harvard Law School where he was the first African American president of Harvard Law Review. Barack was born August 4th ,1961 making him 47 years old.


On to looking at Baracks 2007 Voting record.

Before previewing any senators voting record we should be aware that sometimes the name of the bill sounds positive but the actual “bill” is bad for the people. For instance, why would a senator vote down a law or amendment to provide health care to children? I assume any decent person wants healthcare for children.

Possible reasons for voting down the bill are other members of congress have added fat to the bill. Fat in this case means “appropriations” without a legislative discussion or votes. If you have heard about the multi-million dollar bridge to no where (Alaska), this is exactly how the bridge was funded. It was stuffed into a federal bill and paid with federal tax dollars to fund an Alaska project with tax payer dollars from other states.

I am sure the senator will get reelected since it did not cost his state any money and only created jobs. An outrageous example of such actions could be equated to a person turning down a Ferrari for sale for 150.00 a month. That would be crazy? Not if you read the fine print and the remaining balance was due at the end of 2,4 or 6 years. Thus, you the consumer turned down an excellent deal to buy a sports car, just as a senator for no obvious reason decided against funding health care for children.




Barack Obama was seated to the senate as of January 4th 2005. Barack Obama is a class three senator, meaning his term does not expire until 2011. A Class 1 senator term will end 2013 and classes 2 Senators is up for reelection in 2009. Fortunately for Barak Obama he will still have a job if he loses the primary or if he ends up losing the general election. Although Barack Obama has not been in the US senate long enough to be considered a career politician he has been very active in seeking appointments to committees and sub committees which will increase Senator Obama's experience and exposure in areas of foreign policy, areas of social security as well along with exposure to issues such as health care reform. Belonging to these committees will not only help him build his resume but will also help him gain enough experience to one day be commander in chief. This is especially important if Barack loses the general election.

Barack Obama belongs to the following committees:

• Committee on Foreign Relations
• Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs


Barack Obama belongs to the following subcommittees:


• Subcommittee on African Affairs
• Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
• Subcommittee on European Affairs
• Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection
• Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights
• Subcommittee on Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs
• Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs

Although this list only covers most of 2007 we can still get an idea of how Barack Obama votes. We can go back to 2006 and see how Senator Obama voted. The senator’s record can be found at senate.gov or if you need assistance on how to find information about your senator or congressman you can read about
"researching your politician”

In addressing votes or how senate members such as Barack, we should read the amendments being proposed very carefully for words such as: “Motion to table” “Motion to waive”.

These statements suggest putting off voting on a particular subject. A senator may vote “nay” however, the senator is not necessarily voting against an amendment, they are actually voting nay in order to have the opportunity to address the issue rather than putting the issue off until later. Some of the biggest time wasters are voting on motions, “to motion” such as this example below:

“On the Motion (Motion to Waive C.B.A. Re: Kyl Amdt. No. 115)”

In this instance the Senator Obama voted Nay on the motion, for a motion to waive the opportunity to address C.B A..

To put it other terms, a senator could motion they discuss a motion to actually work. Hence, I would vote nay to address the motion to work and they would not address the motion of actually working. Although this is a ridiculous statement the point has been made on how an amendment could actually be held up. It could be similar to a filibuster

Although these are documented voting practices of Barack Obama for 2007 it does not necessarily mean his vote was a reflection of the bill actually passing or being rejected. The voting record below is a brief view, it is intended to allow the reader to become informed and if so inspired, do research on a particular voting record they care about.

Barack Obama's "Nay" Votes

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On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Vitter Amdt. No. 6 )
prohibit authorized committees and leadership PACs from employing the spouse or immediate family members of any candidate or Federal office holder connected to the committee

On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table DeMint Amdt. No. 11 )
To strengthen earmark reform.


On the Motion (Motion to Waive CBA, Ensign Amdt. No. 154)
To improve access to affordable health care

On the Motion (Motion to Waive Re: DeMint Amdt. No. 158)
To increase the Federal minimum wage by an amount that is based on applicable State minimum wages.

On the Motion (Motion to Waive C.B.A. Re: Kyl Amdt. No. 115)
To extend through December 31, 2008, the depreciation treatment of leasehold, restaurant, and retail space improvements.

the Motion to Table S.Amdt. 298 to S.Amdt. 275 to S. 4 (Improving America's Security Act of 2007)

To strengthen the security of cargo containers.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 577 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To provide budget levels to extend through 2012 the production tax credit for electricity produced from renewable resources, the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, and energy tax provisions for energy efficient buildings and power plants.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 513 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To provide for true deficit reduction in appropriation bills.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 472 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To require wealthy Medicare beneficiaries to pay a greater share of their Medicare Part D premiums.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 525 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To provide reconciliation instructions of $33.8 billion to make provider payments more accurate, to improve Medicare Part B income relation provisions, expand those provisions to Medicare Part D and reduce the deficit. To provide a deficit-neutral reserve fund for the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that will cover kids first.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 489 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To establish a reserve fund for Social Security.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 476 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To ensure that our troops serving in harms way remain Americas top budget priority by ensuring full funding for the Department of Defense within the regular appropriations process, reducing reliance on supplemental appropriations bills, and by improving the integrity of the Congressional budget process.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 477 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To provide for a budget point of order against legislation that increases income taxes on taxpayers, including hard-working middle-income families, entrepreneurs, and college students.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 507 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To protect families, family farms and small businesses by raising the death tax exemption to $5 million and reducing the maximum death tax rate to no more than 35%, to extend college tuition deduction, to extend the student loan interest deduction, to extend the teacher classroom deduction, to protect senior citizens from higher taxes on their retirement income, to maintain U.S. financial market competitiveness, and to promote economic growth by extending the lower tax rates on dividends and capital gains.



Barack Obama's "Yea" Votes
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On the Amendment (Vitter Amdt No. 7 )
To amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to establish criminal penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or failing to file or report certain information required to be reported under that Act, and for other purposes


On the Amendment (Kerry Amdt. No. 1, As Modified
To amend title 5, United States Code, to deny Federal retirement benefits to individuals convicted of certain offenses, and for other purposes.
``(A) any revenue provision that has the practical effect of providing more favorable tax treatment to a particular taxpayer or limited group of taxpayers when compared with other similarly situated taxpayers

3. (a) A Member who proposes an earmark, targeted tax benefit, or targeted trade benefit included on a list prepared pursuant to paragraph 2, shall certify that neither the Member nor his or her spouse has a financial interest in such earmark, targeted tax benefit, or targeted tariff benefit.


On the Amendment S.Amdt. 10 to S.Amdt. 3 to S. 1 (No short title on file)
To increase the penalty for failure to comply with lobbying disclosure requirements.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 44 to S.Amdt. 11 to S.Amdt. 3 to S. 1
To strengthen earmark reform.

On the Cloture Motion S.Amdt. 4 to S.Amdt. 3 to S. 1 (No short title on file)
To strengthen the gift and travel bans.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 65 to S.Amdt. 4 to S.Amdt. 3 to S. 1
To prohibit lobbyists and entities that retain or employ lobbyists from throwing lavish parties honoring Members at party conventions.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 30 to S.Amdt. 3 to S. 1 (No short title on file)
To establish a Senate Office of Public Integrity.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 206 to S.Amdt. 100 to H.R. 2 (Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007)
To express the sense of the Senate that Congress should make permanent the tax incentives to make education more affordable and more accessible for American families and eliminate wasteful spending, such as spending on unnecessary tax loopholes, in order to fully offset the cost of such incentives and avoid forcing taxpayers to pay substantially more interest to foreign creditors.

On the Nomination PN178
Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, in the Army, to be General

On the Cloture Motion S. 4
A bill to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively, to improve homeland security, and for other purposes.

On Passage of the Bill H.R. 2
A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage

On the Concurrent Resolution S.Con.Res. 20
A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that no funds should be cut off or reduced for American Troops in the field which would result in undermining their safety or their ability to complete their assigned mission

On the Resolution S.Res. 107
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that no action should be taken to undermine the safety of the Armed Forces of the United States or impact their ability to complete their assigned or future missions.

On Passage of the Bill S. 4
A bill to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively, to improve homeland security, and for other purposes.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 545 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To restore the top marginal tax rate to pre-2001 levels on taxable income in excess of $1 million and use the increased revenue to increase funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Act.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 486 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To provide additional funding resources in FY2008 for investments in innovation and education in order to improve the competitiveness of the United States.

On the Amendment S.Amdt. 483 to S.Con.Res. 21 (No short title on file)
To provide a point of order against any budget resolution that fails to achieve an on-budget balance within 5 years.
*****In the end we are all responsible for making and educated vote, we can't complain about what our senators are doing if we don't monitor their activities as stewards of the people****