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
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 - Senate (51 - 50)
May 23, 2003 National HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - House (231 - 200)
May 22, 2003 National S 1050 Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
May 22, 2003 National HR 1588 Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 68)
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)
Oct. 16, 2002 National HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 1)
Oct. 10, 2002 National HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (409 - 14)
Aug. 1, 2002 National HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3)
July 26, 2002 National HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - House (295 - 132)
July 25, 2002 National HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
July 24, 2002 National H Res 495 Expulsion of Representative James A. Traficant, Jr., D-Ohio Resolution Passed - House (420 - 1)
July 18, 2002 National HR 5011 Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
July 18, 2002 National HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - House (365 - 49)
July 17, 2002 National HR 5093 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
June 28, 2002 National HR 4954 Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 208)
June 27, 2002 National HR 5011 Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (426 - 1)
June 27, 2002 National HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (413 - 18)
June 21, 2002 National S Amdt 3927 Military Abortion Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
June 11, 2002 National S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
May 16, 2002 National HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
May 16, 2002 National HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
May 10, 2002 National HR 4546 National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2003 Bill Passed - House (359 - 58)
May 8, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 35)
May 2, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
Feb. 13, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40)
Dec. 13, 2001 National S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (382 - 40)
Dec. 13, 2001 National S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2)
Dec. 7, 2001 National S Amdt 2336 International Courts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
Nov. 8, 2001 National HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7)
Nov. 8, 2001 National HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (401 - 18)
Nov. 1, 2001 National HR 2647 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3)
Oct. 5, 2001 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - House (291 - 120)
July 19, 2001 National HR 7 Community Solutions Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (233 - 198)
March 21, 2001 National S Amdt 134 Campaign Reform Act - Union Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 31)
March 7, 2001 National S J Res 6 Ergonomics Regulations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (223 - 206)
Feb. 1, 2001 National PN 107 John Ashcroft, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42)
Jan. 30, 2001 National PN 96 Gale Ann Norton, Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (75 - 24)
Oct. 3, 2000 National S 2045 American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act, 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1)
July 27, 2000 National H Amdt 1041 Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Amendment Rejected - House (169 - 256)
July 27, 2000 National HR 4865 Social Security Benefits Tax Relief bill Bill Passed - House (265 - 159)
June 29, 2000 National S Amdt 3689 Social Security and Medicare Surplus Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 43)
June 28, 2000 National HR 4680 Medicare Rx bill Bill Passed - House (217 - 214)
June 22, 2000 National S Amdt 3598 Outpatient Prescription Drugs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3252 Military Abortions Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 49)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
May 18, 2000 National H Amdt 722 Oversea Military Abortions Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 221)
March 2, 2000 National S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Oct. 21, 1999 National HR 2 Education Funding for Disadvantaged Students-Passage Bill Passed - House (358 - 67)
Oct. 21, 1999 National S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
Oct. 15, 1999 National HR 2684 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5)
Oct. 14, 1999 National HR 2684 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 Conference Report Adopted - House (406 - 18)
Oct. 13, 1999 National HR 1906 FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26)
Oct. 5, 1999 National PN 49 Ronnie L. White, United States District Judge in Missouri Nomination Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Oct. 1, 1999 National HR 1906 FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (240 - 175)
Sept. 22, 1999 National S 1059 FY 2000 Defense Authorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5)
Sept. 21, 1999 National HR 2116 Veterans' Millennium Health Care Act Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
Sept. 14, 1999 National S J Res 33 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2)
Sept. 9, 1999 National H Con Res 180 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Resolution Passed - House (311 - 41)
Sept. 9, 1999 National HR 2684 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 Bill Passed - House (235 - 187)
Sept. 8, 1999 National H Amdt 423 International Space Station Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (121 - 298)
Aug. 5, 1999 National PN 100 Richard Holbrooke, Representative to the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (81 - 16)
Aug. 5, 1999 National HR 1905 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 Conference Report Adopted - House (367 - 49)
July 29, 1999 National H Amdt 356 Adoption Restriction Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 215)
July 14, 1999 National S Amdt 1241 Women's Health and Cancer Rights Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (55 - 45)
June 30, 1999 National S 1234 Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
June 30, 1999 National HR 1218 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 159)
June 17, 1999 National HR 1501 Juvenile Justice bill Bill Passed - House (287 - 139)
June 16, 1999 National HR 1905 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4)
June 10, 1999 National HR 1905 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 Bill Passed - House (214 - 197)
June 8, 1999 National HR 1906 FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (246 - 183)
May 27, 1999 National S 1059 FY 2000 Defense Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3)
May 26, 1999 National HR 1259 Social Security Lock Box bill Bill Passed - House (416 - 12)
April 28, 1999 National H Con Res 82 Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from the Balkans resolution Resolution Failed - House (139 - 290)
March 11, 1999 National H Amdt 22 High Needs District Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 223)
Feb. 12, 1999 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (45 - 55)
Feb. 12, 1999 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (50 - 50)
Dec. 19, 1998 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Passed - House (221 - 212)
Dec. 19, 1998 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - House (205 - 229)
Date No. Title Outcome
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 - Senate (51 - 50)
5/23 HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - House (231 - 200)
5/22 S 1050 Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
5/22 HR 1588 Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 68)
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)
10/16 HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 1)
10/10 HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (409 - 14)
8/01 HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3)
7/26 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - House (295 - 132)
7/25 HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
7/24 H Res 495 Expulsion of Representative James A. Traficant, Jr., D-Ohio Resolution Passed - House (420 - 1)
7/18 HR 5011 Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
7/18 HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - House (365 - 49)
7/17 HR 5093 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
6/28 HR 4954 Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 208)
6/27 HR 5011 Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (426 - 1)
6/27 HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (413 - 18)
6/21 S Amdt 3927 Military Abortion Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
6/11 S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
5/16 HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
5/16 HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
5/10 HR 4546 National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2003 Bill Passed - House (359 - 58)
5/08 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 35)
5/02 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
2/13 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40)
12/13 S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (382 - 40)
12/13 S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2)
12/07 S Amdt 2336 International Courts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
11/08 HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7)
11/08 HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (401 - 18)
11/01 HR 2647 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3)
10/05 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - House (291 - 120)
7/19 HR 7 Community Solutions Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (233 - 198)
3/21 S Amdt 134 Campaign Reform Act - Union Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (69 - 31)
3/07 S J Res 6 Ergonomics Regulations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (223 - 206)
2/01 PN 107 John Ashcroft, Attorney General Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42)
1/30 PN 96 Gale Ann Norton, Secretary of the Interior Nomination Confirmed - Senate (75 - 24)
10/03 S 2045 American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act, 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1)
7/27 H Amdt 1041 Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Amendment Rejected - House (169 - 256)
7/27 HR 4865 Social Security Benefits Tax Relief bill Bill Passed - House (265 - 159)
6/29 S Amdt 3689 Social Security and Medicare Surplus Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 43)
6/28 HR 4680 Medicare Rx bill Bill Passed - House (217 - 214)
6/22 S Amdt 3598 Outpatient Prescription Drugs Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
6/20 S Amdt 3252 Military Abortions Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 49)
6/20 S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
5/18 H Amdt 722 Oversea Military Abortions Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 221)
3/02 S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
10/21 HR 2 Education Funding for Disadvantaged Students-Passage Bill Passed - House (358 - 67)
10/21 S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
10/15 HR 2684 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5)
10/14 HR 2684 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 Conference Report Adopted - House (406 - 18)
10/13 HR 1906 FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26)
10/05 PN 49 Ronnie L. White, United States District Judge in Missouri Nomination Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
10/01 HR 1906 FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (240 - 175)
9/22 S 1059 FY 2000 Defense Authorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5)
9/21 HR 2116 Veterans' Millennium Health Care Act Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
9/14 S J Res 33 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2)
9/09 H Con Res 180 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Resolution Passed - House (311 - 41)
9/09 HR 2684 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 Bill Passed - House (235 - 187)
9/08 H Amdt 423 International Space Station Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (121 - 298)
8/05 PN 100 Richard Holbrooke, Representative to the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (81 - 16)
8/05 HR 1905 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 Conference Report Adopted - House (367 - 49)
7/29 H Amdt 356 Adoption Restriction Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 215)
7/14 S Amdt 1241 Women's Health and Cancer Rights Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (55 - 45)
6/30 S 1234 Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
6/30 HR 1218 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 159)
6/17 HR 1501 Juvenile Justice bill Bill Passed - House (287 - 139)
6/16 HR 1905 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4)
6/10 HR 1905 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 Bill Passed - House (214 - 197)
6/08 HR 1906 FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (246 - 183)
5/27 S 1059 FY 2000 Defense Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3)
5/26 HR 1259 Social Security Lock Box bill Bill Passed - House (416 - 12)
4/28 H Con Res 82 Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from the Balkans resolution Resolution Failed - House (139 - 290)
3/11 H Amdt 22 High Needs District Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 223)
2/12 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (45 - 55)
2/12 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (50 - 50)
12/19 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Passed - House (221 - 212)
12/19 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - House (205 - 229)

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