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
March 16, 2006 National S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
March 9, 2006 WI ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
March 8, 2006 MS HB 1089 Wildlife Feeding Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
March 8, 2006 AZ SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 8, 2006 VA SB 262 Virginia Energy Plan Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
March 7, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
March 6, 2006 IA HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
Feb. 27, 2006 MO SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
Feb. 15, 2006 PA SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Feb. 10, 2006 WA Sub HB 2738 Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
Feb. 8, 2006 AK SB 85 Off-Road Vehicle Use Near Dalton Highway Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
Feb. 7, 2006 MI Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - House (63 - 42)
Feb. 3, 2006 MS HB 1089 Deer Baiting Bill Passed - House (63 - 46)
Jan. 30, 2006 IN SB 354 Forestry Classifications Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
Jan. 26, 2006 MS HB 1318 Hurricane Katrina Response and Recovery Oversight Act Bill Passed - House (79 - 42)
Jan. 26, 2006 CA AB 802 Local Governments Assessment of Flood Risks Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
Jan. 5, 2006 NJ S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Dec. 21, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44)
Dec. 21, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0)
Dec. 21, 2005 National S Con Res 74 Removal of ANWR Provision from HR 2863 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 45)
Dec. 19, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106)
Nov. 16, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
Nov. 9, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
Nov. 9, 2005 National HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 17)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2400 Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Nov. 3, 2005 National S Amdt 2358 ANWR Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Oct. 7, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
Sept. 15, 2005 National H Res 437 Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188)
Sept. 13, 2005 National S J Res 20 EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 51)
July 29, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (99 - 1)
July 28, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 10)
July 1, 2005 National HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3)
June 29, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 0)
June 20, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (398 - 19)
June 16, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (418 - 7)
June 14, 2005 National S Amdt 781 Environmental Effects Caused by Ethanol Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 38)
May 24, 2005 National HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (416 - 13)
May 19, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
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)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
April 21, 2005 National H Amdt 370 Liability Shield Language Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219)
April 21, 2005 National HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0)
April 20, 2005 National H Amdt 72 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (200 - 231)
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)
June 25, 2004 National HR 4614 Appropriations Bill FY 2005, Energy and Water Development Bill Passed - House (370 - 16)
June 17, 2004 National HR 4568 Interior Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (334 - 86)
Jan. 22, 2004 National HR 2673 Consolidated Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 28)
Nov. 21, 2003 National HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (286 - 140)
Nov. 20, 2003 National HR 253 Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (352 - 67)
Nov. 18, 2003 National HR 2754 Energy and Water Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (387 - 36)
Oct. 30, 2003 National HR 2691 Interior Department Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 205)
Oct. 28, 2003 National PN 884 Michael Leavitt, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (88 - 8)
Sept. 23, 2003 National HR 1409 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Land Exchange Act '02 Bill Passed - House (288 - 127)
July 17, 2003 National HR 2691 Interior Department Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Bill Passed - House (268 - 152)
July 14, 2003 National HR 2673 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill Passed - House (347 - 64)
May 20, 2003 National HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (256 - 170)
March 19, 2003 National S Amdt 272 ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
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)
April 25, 2002 National HR 4 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 11)
Feb. 13, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
Oct. 5, 2001 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - House (291 - 120)
Aug. 2, 2001 National HR 4 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
Aug. 1, 2001 National H Amdt 288 Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (160 - 269)
Aug. 1, 2001 National H Amdt 298 Prohibiting Oil Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 223)
Sept. 26, 2000 National HR 5175 Small Business Superfund Exemption Bill Failed - House (253 - 161)
June 21, 2000 National H Amdt 858 EPA Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 216)
June 7, 2000 National H Amdt 745 San Rafael Swell Area Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 211)
June 7, 2000 National H Amdt 748 San Rafael Legacy District Motor Vehicle Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 214)
May 11, 2000 National H Amdt 694 Local Government Participation Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 238)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/16 S Con Res 83 2007 Budget Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49)
3/09 ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
3/08 HB 1089 Wildlife Feeding Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
3/08 SB 1356 Air Pollutant Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/08 SB 262 Virginia Energy Plan Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
3/07 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Bill Passed - House (49 - 1)
3/06 HF 2540 2006-2007 Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 47)
2/27 SA 5 Renewable Energy Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 22)
2/15 SB 1025 PA Clean Vehicles Program Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
2/10 Sub HB 2738 Minimum Renewable Fuel Content Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 28)
2/08 SB 85 Off-Road Vehicle Use Near Dalton Highway Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
2/07 Sub for HB 5453 Changes to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Bill Passed - House (63 - 42)
2/03 HB 1089 Deer Baiting Bill Passed - House (63 - 46)
1/30 SB 354 Forestry Classifications Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
1/26 HB 1318 Hurricane Katrina Response and Recovery Oversight Act Bill Passed - House (79 - 42)
1/26 AB 802 Local Governments Assessment of Flood Risks Bill Passed - House (41 - 34)
1/05 S 2907 Reimbursement for Contaminated Sites Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
12/21 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44)
12/21 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0)
12/21 S Con Res 74 Removal of ANWR Provision from HR 2863 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 45)
12/19 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106)
11/16 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
11/09 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
11/09 HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 17)
11/03 S Amdt 2400 Alaska Judicial Review of Oil Revenue Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
11/03 S Amdt 2358 ANWR Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
10/07 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
9/15 H Res 437 Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188)
9/13 S J Res 20 EPA's Clean Air Mercury Rule Bill Failed - Senate (47 - 51)
7/29 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (99 - 1)
7/28 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 10)
7/01 HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3)
6/29 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 0)
6/20 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (398 - 19)
6/16 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (418 - 7)
6/14 S Amdt 781 Environmental Effects Caused by Ethanol Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 38)
5/24 HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (416 - 13)
5/19 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
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)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
4/21 H Amdt 370 Liability Shield Language Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219)
4/21 HR 1268 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0)
4/20 H Amdt 72 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (200 - 231)
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)
6/25 HR 4614 Appropriations Bill FY 2005, Energy and Water Development Bill Passed - House (370 - 16)
6/17 HR 4568 Interior Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (334 - 86)
1/22 HR 2673 Consolidated Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 28)
11/21 HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (286 - 140)
11/20 HR 253 Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (352 - 67)
11/18 HR 2754 Energy and Water Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (387 - 36)
10/30 HR 2691 Interior Department Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 205)
10/28 PN 884 Michael Leavitt, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (88 - 8)
9/23 HR 1409 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Land Exchange Act '02 Bill Passed - House (288 - 127)
7/17 HR 2691 Interior Department Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Bill Passed - House (268 - 152)
7/14 HR 2673 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill Passed - House (347 - 64)
5/20 HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (256 - 170)
3/19 S Amdt 272 ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
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)
4/25 HR 4 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 11)
2/13 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
10/05 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - House (291 - 120)
8/02 HR 4 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
8/01 H Amdt 288 Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (160 - 269)
8/01 H Amdt 298 Prohibiting Oil Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 223)
9/26 HR 5175 Small Business Superfund Exemption Bill Failed - House (253 - 161)
6/21 H Amdt 858 EPA Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 216)
6/07 H Amdt 745 San Rafael Swell Area Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 211)
6/07 H Amdt 748 San Rafael Legacy District Motor Vehicle Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 214)
5/11 H Amdt 694 Local Government Participation Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 238)

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