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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
March 19, 2003 National S Amdt 272 ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
Feb. 13, 2003 National H J Res 2 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20)
Nov. 19, 2002 National HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
Oct. 16, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
Oct. 16, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
July 25, 2002 National HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
June 11, 2002 National S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
April 11, 2002 National S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
April 11, 2002 National S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
Feb. 27, 2002 National S Amdt 2937 Allowing Signatures for Voter Registration by Mail Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (46 - 51)
Dec. 7, 2001 National HR 2944 District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (79 - 20)
Dec. 4, 2001 National HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2)
Nov. 15, 2001 National HR 2330 Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
Nov. 8, 2001 National HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7)
May 10, 2001 National H Con Res 83 Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 47)
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)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
March 29, 2000 National S J Res 14 Flag Desecration amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37)
Nov. 19, 1999 National HR 3194 District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 24)
Nov. 2, 1999 National HR 3064 DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48)
Oct. 5, 1999 National PN 49 Ronnie L. White, United States District Judge in Missouri Nomination Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Sept. 16, 1999 National HR 2587 District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 39)
Sept. 14, 1999 National S J Res 33 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2)
Aug. 5, 1999 National PN 100 Richard Holbrooke, Representative to the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (81 - 16)
Aug. 5, 1999 National HR 2488 Financial Freedom Act of 1999 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 49)
June 30, 1999 National S 1234 Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
June 16, 1999 National HR 1905 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4)
June 16, 1999 National S 1205 Military Construction FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
May 6, 1999 National S 900 Financial Services Modernization Bill Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
Feb. 12, 1999 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (50 - 50)
Feb. 12, 1999 National H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (45 - 55)
Oct. 8, 1998 National S 442 Internet Tax Freedom bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2)
July 30, 1998 National S Amdt 3379 Federal Election Commission Term Length Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (45 - 54)
July 30, 1998 National S Amdt 3379 Federal Election Commission Term Length Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (45 - 54)
July 21, 1998 National HR 4112 Legislative Branch FY99 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
June 25, 1998 National S Amdt 2981 Military Closure Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45)
June 25, 1998 National S Amdt 2981 Military Closure Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45)
June 24, 1998 National S Amdt 2912 Bosnia and Herzegovina Withdrawal Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 31)
May 22, 1998 National HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5)
May 5, 1998 National HR 1385 Training Programs bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 7)
April 28, 1998 National HR 1757 State Department FY98-99 Authorization bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
April 1, 1998 National S Amdt 2175 School Modernization Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 46)
March 4, 1998 National S Amdt 1682 Blood Alcohol Content Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 32)
Feb. 25, 1998 National HR 2631 Line Item Veto Cancellation bill Veto Override Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
Feb. 10, 1998 National PN 623 David Satcher, Surgeon General of the Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 35)
Nov. 8, 1997 National HR 2264 Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
Oct. 1, 1997 National HR 2378 Appropriations bill FY98, Treasury, Postal Service Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 45)
Sept. 25, 1997 National HR 2266 Defense Department FY98 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5)
Sept. 11, 1997 National S Amdt 1122 Education Funding Amendment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (49 - 51)
July 31, 1997 National HR 2014 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8)
June 5, 1997 National H Con Res 84 Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
May 23, 1997 National S Amdt 357 Violent Crime Victims Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
May 23, 1997 National H Con Res 84 Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
April 30, 1997 National PN 82 Alexis M. Herman, Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (85 - 13)
Oct. 3, 1996 National HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
Sept. 10, 1996 National HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
Aug. 2, 1996 National S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
Aug. 1, 1996 National HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
July 23, 1996 National HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
June 6, 1996 National H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (64 - 35)
April 23, 1996 National S J Res 21 Term Limits bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
April 23, 1996 National S J Res 21 Term Limits bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
March 27, 1996 National S 4 Line-Item Veto bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 31)
March 21, 1996 National HR 956 Product Liability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 40)
Dec. 22, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
Dec. 12, 1995 National S J Res 31 Flag Desecration Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 36)
Nov. 15, 1995 National HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 35)
Sept. 19, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
July 11, 1995 National S Amdt 1497 Small Business Impact Analysis Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
July 10, 1995 National S Amdt 1491 Small Business Impact Analyses Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 36)
June 22, 1995 National PN 245 Henry W. Foster Jr., Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 43)
June 21, 1995 National S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
May 10, 1995 National HR 956 Product Liability bill Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
March 23, 1995 National S 4 Line-Item Veto bill Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 29)
March 2, 1995 National H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (65 - 35)
Jan. 5, 1995 National S Amdt 1 Filibuster Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (76 - 19)
Sept. 21, 1994 National HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (71 - 27)
July 29, 1994 National PN 1399 Stephen G. Breyer, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 9)
July 27, 1994 National S Amdt 2416 Voluntary Prayer Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
July 21, 1994 National HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
July 1, 1994 National HR 4454 Legislative Branch FY95 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (73 - 27)
June 29, 1994 National S Amdt 2117 Military Operations in Haiti Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 65)
March 1, 1994 National S J Res 41 Balanced Budget amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37)
Sept. 10, 1993 National S Amdt 816 Postponement of Base Closures Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 79)
Sept. 9, 1993 National S Amdt 785 Ballistic Missile Defense Funding Reducation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
Aug. 3, 1993 National PN 422 Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (96 - 3)
July 27, 1993 National HR 2492 District of Columbia Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 29)
July 23, 1993 National HR 2348 Legislative Branch FY94 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7)
July 20, 1993 National HR 20 Hatch Act Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
May 11, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 36)
March 17, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
Oct. 1, 1992 National HR 5318 Conditional Extension of Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status to China Veto Override Failed - Senate (59 - 40)
May 21, 1992 National S Amdt 1852 Eliminating Emergency Funding for Emergency Summer Youth Employment Programs Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 62)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/19 S Amdt 272 ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
2/13 H J Res 2 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20)
11/19 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
10/16 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
10/16 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
7/25 HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
6/11 S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
4/11 S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
4/11 S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
2/27 S Amdt 2937 Allowing Signatures for Voter Registration by Mail Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (46 - 51)
12/07 HR 2944 District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (79 - 20)
12/04 HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2)
11/15 HR 2330 Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
11/08 HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7)
5/10 H Con Res 83 Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 47)
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)
6/20 S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
3/29 S J Res 14 Flag Desecration amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37)
11/19 HR 3194 District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 24)
11/02 HR 3064 DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48)
10/05 PN 49 Ronnie L. White, United States District Judge in Missouri Nomination Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
9/16 HR 2587 District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 39)
9/14 S J Res 33 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2)
8/05 PN 100 Richard Holbrooke, Representative to the United Nations Nomination Confirmed - Senate (81 - 16)
8/05 HR 2488 Financial Freedom Act of 1999 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 49)
6/30 S 1234 Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
6/16 HR 1905 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4)
6/16 S 1205 Military Construction FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
5/06 S 900 Financial Services Modernization Bill Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
2/12 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (50 - 50)
2/12 H Res 611 Impeachment Resolution: Article One Resolution Failed - Senate (45 - 55)
10/08 S 442 Internet Tax Freedom bill Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2)
7/30 S Amdt 3379 Federal Election Commission Term Length Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (45 - 54)
7/30 S Amdt 3379 Federal Election Commission Term Length Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (45 - 54)
7/21 HR 4112 Legislative Branch FY99 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
6/25 S Amdt 2981 Military Closure Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45)
6/25 S Amdt 2981 Military Closure Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (48 - 45)
6/24 S Amdt 2912 Bosnia and Herzegovina Withdrawal Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 31)
5/22 HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5)
5/05 HR 1385 Training Programs bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 7)
4/28 HR 1757 State Department FY98-99 Authorization bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
4/01 S Amdt 2175 School Modernization Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 46)
3/04 S Amdt 1682 Blood Alcohol Content Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 32)
2/25 HR 2631 Line Item Veto Cancellation bill Veto Override Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
2/10 PN 623 David Satcher, Surgeon General of the Public Health Service Nomination Confirmed - Senate (63 - 35)
11/08 HR 2264 Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
10/01 HR 2378 Appropriations bill FY98, Treasury, Postal Service Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 45)
9/25 HR 2266 Defense Department FY98 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5)
9/11 S Amdt 1122 Education Funding Amendment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (49 - 51)
7/31 HR 2014 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8)
6/05 H Con Res 84 Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
5/23 S Amdt 357 Violent Crime Victims Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
5/23 H Con Res 84 Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
4/30 PN 82 Alexis M. Herman, Secretary of Labor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (85 - 13)
10/03 HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
9/10 HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
8/02 S 1316 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 0)
8/01 HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
7/23 HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
6/06 H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (64 - 35)
4/23 S J Res 21 Term Limits bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
4/23 S J Res 21 Term Limits bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
3/27 S 4 Line-Item Veto bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 31)
3/21 HR 956 Product Liability bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 40)
12/22 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
12/12 S J Res 31 Flag Desecration Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 36)
11/15 HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 35)
9/19 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
7/11 S Amdt 1497 Small Business Impact Analysis Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
7/10 S Amdt 1491 Small Business Impact Analyses Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 36)
6/22 PN 245 Henry W. Foster Jr., Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 43)
6/21 S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
5/10 HR 956 Product Liability bill Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
3/23 S 4 Line-Item Veto bill Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 29)
3/02 H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (65 - 35)
1/05 S Amdt 1 Filibuster Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (76 - 19)
9/21 HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (71 - 27)
7/29 PN 1399 Stephen G. Breyer, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (87 - 9)
7/27 S Amdt 2416 Voluntary Prayer Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
7/21 HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
7/01 HR 4454 Legislative Branch FY95 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (73 - 27)
6/29 S Amdt 2117 Military Operations in Haiti Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 65)
3/01 S J Res 41 Balanced Budget amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37)
9/10 S Amdt 816 Postponement of Base Closures Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 79)
9/09 S Amdt 785 Ballistic Missile Defense Funding Reducation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
8/03 PN 422 Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice Nomination Confirmed - Senate (96 - 3)
7/27 HR 2492 District of Columbia Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (70 - 29)
7/23 HR 2348 Legislative Branch FY94 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7)
7/20 HR 20 Hatch Act Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
5/11 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 36)
3/17 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
10/01 HR 5318 Conditional Extension of Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status to China Veto Override Failed - Senate (59 - 40)
5/21 S Amdt 1852 Eliminating Emergency Funding for Emergency Summer Youth Employment Programs Amendment Rejected - Senate (37 - 62)

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