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 11, 2013 KY SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Dec. 21, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 14)
Dec. 20, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107)
Nov. 30, 2012 National S Amdt 3025 Requires Sufficient Sizing of Civilian and Contract Services Workforces Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 53)
Nov. 29, 2012 National S Amdt 3058 Expands TRICARE Coverage of Autism Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 29)
July 19, 2012 National H Amdt 1416 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166)
May 18, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Bill Passed - House (299 - 120)
May 17, 2012 National H Amdt 1103 Limits Funding for War in Afghanistan to the Withdrawal of U.S. Forces Amendment Rejected - House (113 - 303)
Dec. 15, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
June 8, 2011 WI SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
June 3, 2011 National H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
March 29, 2011 National HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
Dec. 21, 2010 National HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
Dec. 21, 2010 National HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 16)
Dec. 18, 2010 National HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31)
Dec. 15, 2010 National HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
Sept. 21, 2010 National S 3454 2010-2011 Defense Authorizations Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
May 27, 2010 National H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
May 27, 2010 National S Amdt 4204 Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80)
April 10, 2010 MD SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
March 24, 2010 MD SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
Jan. 26, 2010 IA HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
Oct. 22, 2009 National HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 29)
Oct. 8, 2009 National HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (281 - 146)
Sept. 24, 2008 National S 3001 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (392 - 39)
Sept. 17, 2008 National S 3001 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 8)
July 26, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 13)
July 23, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
July 10, 2008 National PN 1641 Nomination of General Petraeus as Military Leader of the Middle East Nomination Confirmed - Senate (95 - 2)
June 26, 2008 National HR 2642 Iraq and Afghanistan War Funding, Unemployment Benefits Extension, and GI Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
June 19, 2008 National HR 2642 GI Bill, Funding for Midwest Flood Cleanup, Extension of Unemployment Benefits, and Other Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (268 - 155)
May 22, 2008 National S Amdt 4803 GI Bill and Other Domestic Provisions Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 22)
May 15, 2008 National HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Failed - House (141 - 149)
May 15, 2008 National HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (227 - 196)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
May 8, 2008 National HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (266 - 154)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
Jan. 22, 2008 National HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 3)
Jan. 16, 2008 National HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
Dec. 18, 2007 National S Amdt 3875 Iraq Withdrawal Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 71)
Dec. 12, 2007 National HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 235 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 8)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 235 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 18, 2007 National HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Veto Override Failed - House (273 - 156)
Oct. 2, 2007 National HR 3087 Requiring Reports from the Defense Department to Congress Regarding Withdrawal from Iraq Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
Oct. 1, 2007 National HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3)
Sept. 27, 2007 National HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29)
Sept. 25, 2007 National HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (265 - 159)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/11 SB 1 Establishes an Electronic Ballot Transmission System for Military and Overseas Voters Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
12/21 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 14)
12/20 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (315 - 107)
11/30 S Amdt 3025 Requires Sufficient Sizing of Civilian and Contract Services Workforces Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 53)
11/29 S Amdt 3058 Expands TRICARE Coverage of Autism Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 29)
7/19 H Amdt 1416 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act Amendment Adopted - House (247 - 166)
5/18 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Bill Passed - House (299 - 120)
5/17 H Amdt 1103 Limits Funding for War in Afghanistan to the Withdrawal of U.S. Forces Amendment Rejected - House (113 - 303)
12/15 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
6/08 SB 116 Relating to Overseas Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
6/03 H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
3/29 HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 16)
12/18 HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31)
12/15 HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
9/21 S 3454 2010-2011 Defense Authorizations Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
5/28 HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
5/27 H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
5/27 S Amdt 4204 Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80)
4/10 SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - House (95 - 42)
3/24 SB 778 Prohibits Public Schools from Sending Vocational Test Scores to Military Recruiters Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23)
1/26 HF 2110 Military Spouse Relocation Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (56 - 44)
10/22 HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 29)
10/08 HR 2647 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (281 - 146)
9/24 S 3001 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (392 - 39)
9/17 S 3001 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 8)
7/26 HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (72 - 13)
7/23 HR 3221 Housing Bill with Energy Tax Credit Extensions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
7/10 PN 1641 Nomination of General Petraeus as Military Leader of the Middle East Nomination Confirmed - Senate (95 - 2)
6/26 HR 2642 Iraq and Afghanistan War Funding, Unemployment Benefits Extension, and GI Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6)
6/19 HR 2642 GI Bill, Funding for Midwest Flood Cleanup, Extension of Unemployment Benefits, and Other Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (268 - 155)
5/22 S Amdt 4803 GI Bill and Other Domestic Provisions Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 22)
5/15 HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Failed - House (141 - 149)
5/15 HR 2642 Iraq Related Provisions such as a Troop Withdrawal, a Permanent Base Ban, and Limiting Interrogation Techniques Concurrence Vote Passed - House (227 - 196)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (322 - 94)
5/08 HR 3221 Housing-Related Tax Provision Amendments Amendment Adopted - House (266 - 154)
2/27 HB 1180 Unemployment Benefits for Military Spouses Bill Passed - House (60 - 5)
1/22 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 3)
1/16 HR 4986 Defense Authorizations Bill Bill Passed - House (369 - 46)
12/18 S Amdt 3875 Iraq Withdrawal Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 71)
12/12 HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 49)
10/29 H Sub for Sub SB 235 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 8)
10/29 H Sub for Sub SB 235 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/18 HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Veto Override Failed - House (273 - 156)
10/02 HR 3087 Requiring Reports from the Defense Department to Congress Regarding Withdrawal from Iraq Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
10/01 HR 1585 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3)
9/27 HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (67 - 29)
9/25 HR 976 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - House (265 - 159)

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