Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
Feb. 19, 2011 National HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (235 - 189)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA SB 1446 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
Feb. 15, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2011 NH HB 113 Prohibits the Use of State Funds for Public Television Bill Passed - House (263 - 102)
Feb. 10, 2011 NC SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (66 - 51)
Feb. 8, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (81 - 40)
Feb. 7, 2011 WY HB 244 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Failed - House (25 - 34)
Feb. 7, 2011 NC SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2011 SD HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
Feb. 3, 2011 MN HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
Feb. 2, 2011 UT HB 211 Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
Jan. 31, 2011 IN HB 1450 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
Jan. 31, 2011 NY S 2707 Funding State Mandated Programs Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
Jan. 28, 2011 WY HB 244 Unemployment Insurance Amendments
Jan. 27, 2011 MN HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 63)
Jan. 25, 2011 National H Res 38 Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165)
Jan. 24, 2011 WA HB 1086 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Jan. 24, 2011 WA HB 1086 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Jan. 19, 2011 NY S 1892 Limiting State Spending Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
Jan. 13, 2011 MT HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
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. 8, 2010 National S 3985 Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 5987 Seniors Protection Act Bill Failed - House (254 - 153)
Nov. 30, 2010 National S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
Nov. 18, 2010 National HR 6419 Extension of Certain Unemployment Benefits Bill Failed - House (258 - 154)
Oct. 7, 2010 CA SB 870 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
Sept. 30, 2010 National HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 194)
Sept. 29, 2010 National HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
Sept. 29, 2010 National S Amdt 4676 Reducing "Continuing Appropriation" Amounts by 5 Percent Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
July 27, 2010 National HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (308 - 114)
July 22, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
July 21, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (59 - 39)
July 20, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 40)
July 1, 2010 National HR 5618 Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill Passed - House (270 - 153)
July 1, 2010 National HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Failed - House (100 - 321)
July 1, 2010 National HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (239 - 182)
June 9, 2010 National S Amdt 4326 Requiring Reports on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 41)
June 9, 2010 National S Amdt 4302 Requiring Reports on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (38 - 61)
May 28, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 204)
May 27, 2010 National HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28)
May 18, 2010 National S Amdt 4051 Prohibiting Funding of State and Local Governments to Prevent Defaulting on Debt Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
May 11, 2010 National S Amdt 3839 Termination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conservatorships Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56)
April 15, 2010 National HR 4851 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (289 - 112)
April 15, 2010 National HR 4851 Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 38)
April 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1060 State Debt Limit Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
March 10, 2010 National HR 4213 Extending Unemployment Benefits and Certain Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
March 3, 2010 National S Amdt 3353 Payment to Social Security Recipients Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
Feb. 9, 2010 AZ SB 1003 Lottery Revenue Bond Authorization and State Building Lease-Purchase Agreements Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
Feb. 4, 2010 National H J Res 45 Reinstating PAYGO Budget Rule Motion Agreed - House (233 - 187)
Feb. 2, 2010 AZ SB 1003 Lottery Revenue Bond Authorization and State Building Lease-Purchase Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Jan. 28, 2010 National H J Res 45 Increasing the Public Debt Limit and Reinstating PAYGO Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
Jan. 26, 2010 National S Amdt 3302 Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
Jan. 21, 2010 National S Amdt 3301 Ending the Troubled Asset Relief Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 45)
Dec. 24, 2009 National HR 4314 Increasing the National Public Debt Limit Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
Dec. 16, 2009 National HR 4314 Increasing the National Public Debt Limit Bill Passed - House (218 - 214)
Dec. 13, 2009 National HR 3288 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 35)
Dec. 10, 2009 National HR 3288 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 202)
Nov. 5, 2009 National HR 3548 Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits and Providing Business and Homebuyer Tax Credits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (403 - 12)
Oct. 29, 2009 National HR 2996 Continuing Appropriations Extension and 2009-2010 Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (72 - 28)
Oct. 29, 2009 National HR 2996 Continuing Appropriations Extension and 2009-2010 Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (247 - 178)
Oct. 27, 2009 National HR 3548 Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits Cloture Invoked - Senate (87 - 13)
Oct. 8, 2009 National HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
Oct. 7, 2009 National HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - House (263 - 162)
Sept. 30, 2009 National HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38)
Sept. 25, 2009 National HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (217 - 190)
Sept. 22, 2009 National HR 3548 Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (331 - 83)
Aug. 6, 2009 National HR 3435 Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 37)
July 31, 2009 National HR 3435 Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program Bill Passed - House (316 - 109)
June 16, 2009 National HR 2346 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (226 - 202)
April 29, 2009 National S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (233 - 193)
April 29, 2009 National S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43)
March 31, 2009 National S Amdt 739 Public Debt Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 54)
March 19, 2009 National HR 1586 TARP Recipient Bonuses Tax Bill Passed - House (328 - 93)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/19 HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (235 - 189)
2/17 HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
2/17 SB 1446 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
2/15 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/15 HB 113 Prohibits the Use of State Funds for Public Television Bill Passed - House (263 - 102)
2/10 SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (66 - 51)
2/08 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (81 - 40)
2/07 HB 244 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Failed - House (25 - 34)
2/07 SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/07 HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
2/03 HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
2/02 HB 211 Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (56 - 15)
1/31 HB 1450 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
1/31 S 2707 Funding State Mandated Programs Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
1/28 HB 244 Unemployment Insurance Amendments
1/27 HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 63)
1/25 H Res 38 Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165)
1/24 HB 1086 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
1/24 HB 1086 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
1/19 S 1892 Limiting State Spending Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
1/13 HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 16)
12/08 S 3985 Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
12/08 HR 5987 Seniors Protection Act Bill Failed - House (254 - 153)
11/30 S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
11/18 HR 6419 Extension of Certain Unemployment Benefits Bill Failed - House (258 - 154)
10/07 SB 870 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
9/30 HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 194)
9/29 HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
9/29 S Amdt 4676 Reducing "Continuing Appropriation" Amounts by 5 Percent Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
7/27 HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (308 - 114)
7/22 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
7/21 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (59 - 39)
7/20 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 40)
7/01 HR 5618 Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill Passed - House (270 - 153)
7/01 HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Failed - House (100 - 321)
7/01 HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (239 - 182)
6/09 S Amdt 4326 Requiring Reports on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 41)
6/09 S Amdt 4302 Requiring Reports on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (38 - 61)
5/28 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 204)
5/27 HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28)
5/18 S Amdt 4051 Prohibiting Funding of State and Local Governments to Prevent Defaulting on Debt Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
5/11 S Amdt 3839 Termination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conservatorships Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56)
4/15 HR 4851 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (289 - 112)
4/15 HR 4851 Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 38)
4/01 SCR 1060 State Debt Limit Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
3/10 HR 4213 Extending Unemployment Benefits and Certain Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
3/03 S Amdt 3353 Payment to Social Security Recipients Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 50)
2/09 SB 1003 Lottery Revenue Bond Authorization and State Building Lease-Purchase Agreements Bill Passed - House (31 - 27)
2/04 H J Res 45 Reinstating PAYGO Budget Rule Motion Agreed - House (233 - 187)
2/02 SB 1003 Lottery Revenue Bond Authorization and State Building Lease-Purchase Agreements Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
1/28 H J Res 45 Increasing the Public Debt Limit and Reinstating PAYGO Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
1/26 S Amdt 3302 Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
1/21 S Amdt 3301 Ending the Troubled Asset Relief Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 45)
12/24 HR 4314 Increasing the National Public Debt Limit Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
12/16 HR 4314 Increasing the National Public Debt Limit Bill Passed - House (218 - 214)
12/13 HR 3288 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 35)
12/10 HR 3288 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 202)
11/05 HR 3548 Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits and Providing Business and Homebuyer Tax Credits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (403 - 12)
10/29 HR 2996 Continuing Appropriations Extension and 2009-2010 Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (72 - 28)
10/29 HR 2996 Continuing Appropriations Extension and 2009-2010 Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (247 - 178)
10/27 HR 3548 Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits Cloture Invoked - Senate (87 - 13)
10/08 HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
10/07 HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - House (263 - 162)
9/30 HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 38)
9/25 HR 2918 Continuing Appropriations Resolution and 2009-2010 Legislative Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (217 - 190)
9/22 HR 3548 Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (331 - 83)
8/06 HR 3435 Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 37)
7/31 HR 3435 Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program Bill Passed - House (316 - 109)
6/16 HR 2346 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (226 - 202)
4/29 S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (233 - 193)
4/29 S Con Res 13 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43)
3/31 S Amdt 739 Public Debt Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 54)
3/19 HR 1586 TARP Recipient Bonuses Tax Bill Passed - House (328 - 93)

arrow_upward