Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 25, 2005 National HR 1815 Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (390 - 39)
May 24, 2005 National PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 18)
May 19, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
May 19, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
May 18, 2005 National HR 1817 Homeland Security Department Authorization Act FY06 Bill Passed - House (424 - 4)
May 10, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0)
May 10, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0)
May 5, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58)
May 5, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
April 27, 2005 National HR 748 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 157)
April 21, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0)
April 21, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0)
April 14, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
April 14, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
April 14, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
March 21, 2005 National S 686 Terri Schiavo Incapacitated Persons Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (203 - 58)
March 17, 2005 National S Amdt 211 Native American Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
March 17, 2005 National S Amdt 229 Medicaid Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 51)
March 17, 2005 National S Amdt 244 Unintended Pregnancy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
March 17, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (218 - 214)
March 16, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 43)
March 16, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 43)
March 10, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
March 10, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
March 10, 2005 National S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
Feb. 17, 2005 National S 5 Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (279 - 149)
Feb. 10, 2005 National S 5 Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
Feb. 10, 2005 National HR 418 Real ID Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (261 - 161)
Feb. 3, 2005 National PN 12 Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 36)
Jan. 26, 2005 National PN 8 Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (85 - 13)
Sept. 23, 2004 National HR 1308 Child Tax Credit Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 65)
Sept. 23, 2004 National HR 1308 Child Tax Credit Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 3)
Sept. 23, 2004 National HR 2028 Pledge of Allegiance Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 173)
Sept. 21, 2004 National HR 4755 Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
July 22, 2004 National HR 4613 Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 0)
July 22, 2004 National HR 4613 Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 12)
July 14, 2004 National S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
July 12, 2004 National HR 4755 Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (327 - 43)
June 23, 2004 National S 2400 Military Construction FY2005 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
June 22, 2004 National HR 4613 Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (403 - 17)
June 17, 2004 National HR 4568 Interior Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (334 - 86)
June 2, 2004 National H J Res 83 Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353)
May 21, 2004 National S Res 356 Resolution Condemning Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners Resolution Passed - Senate (92 - 0)
May 20, 2004 National HR 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (271 - 139)
May 20, 2004 National HR 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (271 - 139)
May 18, 2004 National HR 3722 Undocumented Immigrant Emergency Medical Assistance Bill Failed - House (88 - 331)
May 11, 2004 National S Amdt 3114 Unemployment Benefits Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (59 - 40)
May 6, 2004 National H Res 627 Resolution Condemning Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners Resolution Passed - House (365 - 50)
April 22, 2004 National HR 2844 Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (306 - 97)
March 24, 2004 National HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
March 24, 2004 National HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
Nov. 21, 2003 National S 1156 Department of Veterans Affairs Improvement Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (423 - 2)
Nov. 7, 2003 National HR 1588 Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (362 - 40)
Oct. 23, 2003 National S Amdt 1904 Congressional Pay Raise Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (60 - 34)
Oct. 17, 2003 National S 1689 Emergency Appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
Sept. 24, 2003 National HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Conference Report Adopted - House (407 - 15)
Sept. 24, 2003 National HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 56)
Sept. 23, 2003 National HR 1409 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Land Exchange Act '02 Bill Passed - House (288 - 127)
July 25, 2003 National HR 2861 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act, 2004 Bill Passed - House (316 - 109)
July 11, 2003 National HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7)
July 9, 2003 National HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Bill Passed - House (394 - 26)
July 9, 2003 National HR 438 Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers Bill Passed - House (417 - 7)
July 8, 2003 National HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Bill Passed - House (399 - 19)
June 11, 2003 National HR 2350 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (406 - 6)
May 23, 2003 National HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - House (231 - 200)
May 23, 2003 National HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50)
May 22, 2003 National HR 1588 Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 68)
May 22, 2003 National S 1050 Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
April 2, 2003 National HR 743 Social Security Protection Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (396 - 28)
March 13, 2003 National HR 5 Malpractice Liability bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 196)
Feb. 13, 2003 National HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
Feb. 13, 2003 National HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
Nov. 19, 2002 National HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/25 HR 1815 Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (390 - 39)
5/24 PN 194 Priscilla R. Owen, Fifth Circuit Judge Cloture Invoked - Senate (81 - 18)
5/19 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
5/19 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
5/18 HR 1817 Homeland Security Department Authorization Act FY06 Bill Passed - House (424 - 4)
5/10 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0)
5/10 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0)
5/05 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58)
5/05 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
4/27 HR 748 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 157)
4/21 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0)
4/21 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0)
4/14 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
4/14 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
4/14 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (302 - 126)
3/21 S 686 Terri Schiavo Incapacitated Persons Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (203 - 58)
3/17 S Amdt 211 Native American Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
3/17 S Amdt 229 Medicaid Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (49 - 51)
3/17 S Amdt 244 Unintended Pregnancy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
3/17 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (218 - 214)
3/16 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 43)
3/16 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - House (388 - 43)
3/10 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
3/10 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
3/10 S 256 Bankruptcy Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25)
2/17 S 5 Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (279 - 149)
2/10 S 5 Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
2/10 HR 418 Real ID Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (261 - 161)
2/03 PN 12 Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (60 - 36)
1/26 PN 8 Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Nomination Confirmed - Senate (85 - 13)
9/23 HR 1308 Child Tax Credit Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 65)
9/23 HR 1308 Child Tax Credit Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 3)
9/23 HR 2028 Pledge of Allegiance Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 173)
9/21 HR 4755 Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2)
7/22 HR 4613 Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 0)
7/22 HR 4613 Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 12)
7/14 S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
7/12 HR 4755 Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (327 - 43)
6/23 S 2400 Military Construction FY2005 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
6/22 HR 4613 Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (403 - 17)
6/17 HR 4568 Interior Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (334 - 86)
6/02 H J Res 83 Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353)
5/21 S Res 356 Resolution Condemning Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners Resolution Passed - Senate (92 - 0)
5/20 HR 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (271 - 139)
5/20 HR 4359 Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act of 2004 Bill Passed - House (271 - 139)
5/18 HR 3722 Undocumented Immigrant Emergency Medical Assistance Bill Failed - House (88 - 331)
5/11 S Amdt 3114 Unemployment Benefits Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (59 - 40)
5/06 H Res 627 Resolution Condemning Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners Resolution Passed - House (365 - 50)
4/22 HR 2844 Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (306 - 97)
3/24 HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
3/24 HR 3873 Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act Bill Passed - House (419 - 5)
11/21 S 1156 Department of Veterans Affairs Improvement Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (423 - 2)
11/07 HR 1588 Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (362 - 40)
10/23 S Amdt 1904 Congressional Pay Raise Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (60 - 34)
10/17 S 1689 Emergency Appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
9/24 HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Conference Report Adopted - House (407 - 15)
9/24 HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 56)
9/23 HR 1409 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Land Exchange Act '02 Bill Passed - House (288 - 127)
7/25 HR 2861 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act, 2004 Bill Passed - House (316 - 109)
7/11 HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7)
7/09 HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Bill Passed - House (394 - 26)
7/09 HR 438 Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers Bill Passed - House (417 - 7)
7/08 HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Bill Passed - House (399 - 19)
6/11 HR 2350 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (406 - 6)
5/23 HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - House (231 - 200)
5/23 HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50)
5/22 HR 1588 Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 68)
5/22 S 1050 Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
4/02 HR 743 Social Security Protection Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (396 - 28)
3/13 HR 5 Malpractice Liability bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 196)
2/13 HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
2/13 HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
11/19 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)

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