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
June 20, 2016 National S Amdt 4750 Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (44 - 56)
June 9, 2016 National HR 5278 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Bill Passed - House (297 - 127)
May 25, 2016 National H Amdt 1128 Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 195)
May 24, 2016 National HR 897 Zika Vector Control Act Bill Passed - House (258 - 156)
May 24, 2016 National H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
May 19, 2016 National H Amdt 1079 Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - House (212 - 213)
April 28, 2016 National H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - House (234 - 183)
April 15, 2016 National HR 2666 No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 173)
April 14, 2016 National HR 3340 Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 179)
April 7, 2016 National S Amdt 3483 Establishes Standards for Passenger Space on Airplanes Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 54)
March 17, 2016 National H Res 639 Authorizing the Speaker to Appear as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the House of Representatives in the Matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15-674 Resolution Passed - House (234 - 186)
March 14, 2016 National PN 1152 Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40)
Feb. 26, 2016 National HR 2406 Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (242 - 161)
Feb. 12, 2016 National HR 2017 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (266 - 144)
Feb. 10, 2016 National HR 3293 Scientific Research in the National Interest Act Bill Passed - House (236 - 178)
Feb. 4, 2016 National S 2012 Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 54)
Feb. 4, 2016 National HR 766 Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
Feb. 2, 2016 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Veto Override Failed - House (241 - 186)
Jan. 21, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
Jan. 20, 2016 National HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
Jan. 19, 2016 National PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
Jan. 13, 2016 National S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166)
Jan. 12, 2016 National S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
Jan. 12, 2016 National HR 1644 Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
Jan. 8, 2016 National HR 1927 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (211 - 188)
Jan. 6, 2016 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 181)
Dec. 18, 2015 National HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 33)
Dec. 18, 2015 National HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (316 - 113)
Dec. 17, 2015 National HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (318 - 109)
Dec. 11, 2015 National HR 644 Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 Conference Report Adopted - House (256 - 158)
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
Dec. 3, 2015 National S Amdt 2910 Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Dec. 3, 2015 National S Amdt 2915 Defend Our Capital Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (54 - 45)
Dec. 3, 2015 National S Amdt 2908 Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
Dec. 3, 2015 National S Amdt 2914 Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
Dec. 3, 2015 National HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
Dec. 1, 2015 National S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (242 - 180)
Dec. 1, 2015 National S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
Nov. 19, 2015 National HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (289 - 137)
Nov. 19, 2015 National HR 3189 Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization (FORM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (241 - 185)
Nov. 17, 2015 National S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 17, 2015 National HR 511 Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (249 - 177)
Nov. 17, 2015 National S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 5, 2015 National HR 22 Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (363 - 64)
Nov. 5, 2015 National HR 2685 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Nov. 3, 2015 National S 1140 Federal Water Quality Protection Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
Nov. 3, 2015 National H Amdt 747 Increases Weight Limit for Commercial Trucks Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 236)
Oct. 29, 2015 National HR 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
Oct. 28, 2015 National HR 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (266 - 167)
Oct. 27, 2015 National HR 597 Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (313 - 118)
Oct. 27, 2015 National S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
Oct. 23, 2015 National HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
Oct. 22, 2015 National S Amdt 2564 Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65)
Oct. 21, 2015 National HR 692 Default Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 194)
Oct. 21, 2015 National HR 10 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 191)
Oct. 20, 2015 National S 2146 Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Oct. 9, 2015 National HR 702 To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions Bill Passed - House (261 - 159)
Oct. 8, 2015 National HR 538 Native American Energy Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
Oct. 7, 2015 National HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 27)
Oct. 1, 2015 National HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 156)
Oct. 1, 2015 National HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
Oct. 1, 2015 National HR 3457 Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 173)
Sept. 30, 2015 National HR 719 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (277 - 151)
Sept. 30, 2015 National HR 719 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
Sept. 29, 2015 National HR 3495 Women's Public Health and Safety Act Bill Passed - House (236 - 193)
Sept. 25, 2015 National HR 348 Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (233 - 170)
Sept. 24, 2015 National S Amdt 2669 Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
Sept. 22, 2015 National HR 36 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42)
Sept. 18, 2015 National HR 3504 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Bill Passed - House (248 - 177)
Sept. 18, 2015 National HR 3134 Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (241 - 187)
Sept. 11, 2015 National HR 3460 To Suspend Until January 21, 2017, the Authority of the President to Waive, Suspend, Reduce, Provide Relief from, or Otherwise Limit the Application of Sanctions Pursuant to an Agreement Related to the Nuclear Program of Iran Bill Passed - House (247 - 186)
Sept. 11, 2015 National HR 3461 To Approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, Relating to the Nuclear Program of Iran. Bill Failed - House (162 - 269)
Sept. 10, 2015 National H Res 411 Finding that the President Has Not Complied with Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (245 - 186)
July 30, 2015 National HR 22 Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
July 29, 2015 National HR 1994 VA Accountability Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (256 - 170)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/20 S Amdt 4750 Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (44 - 56)
6/09 HR 5278 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) Bill Passed - House (297 - 127)
5/25 H Amdt 1128 Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 195)
5/24 HR 897 Zika Vector Control Act Bill Passed - House (258 - 156)
5/24 H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41)
5/19 H Amdt 1079 Prohibits Use of Funds for Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - House (212 - 213)
4/28 H J Res 88 Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" Joint Resolution Passed - House (234 - 183)
4/15 HR 2666 No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 173)
4/14 HR 3340 Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 179)
4/07 S Amdt 3483 Establishes Standards for Passenger Space on Airplanes Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 54)
3/17 H Res 639 Authorizing the Speaker to Appear as Amicus Curiae on Behalf of the House of Representatives in the Matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15-674 Resolution Passed - House (234 - 186)
3/14 PN 1152 Nomination of John B. King to be Secretary of Education Nomination Confirmed - Senate (49 - 40)
2/26 HR 2406 Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (242 - 161)
2/12 HR 2017 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (266 - 144)
2/10 HR 3293 Scientific Research in the National Interest Act Bill Passed - House (236 - 178)
2/04 S 2012 Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 54)
2/04 HR 766 Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
2/02 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Veto Override Failed - House (241 - 186)
1/21 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40)
1/20 HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
1/19 PN 367 Nomination of Wilhelmina Wright to Be U.S. District Judge Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 36)
1/13 S J Res 22 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166)
1/12 S 2232 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
1/12 HR 1644 Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
1/08 HR 1927 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (211 - 188)
1/06 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 181)
12/18 HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 33)
12/18 HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (316 - 113)
12/17 HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (318 - 109)
12/11 HR 644 Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 Conference Report Adopted - House (256 - 158)
12/03 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
12/03 S Amdt 2910 Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
12/03 S Amdt 2915 Defend Our Capital Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (54 - 45)
12/03 S Amdt 2908 Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 50)
12/03 S Amdt 2914 Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2015 Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
12/03 HR 8 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Bill Passed - House (249 - 174)
12/01 S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (242 - 180)
12/01 S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
11/19 HR 4038 American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act Bill Passed - House (289 - 137)
11/19 HR 3189 Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization (FORM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (241 - 185)
11/17 S J Res 24 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
11/17 HR 511 Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (249 - 177)
11/17 S J Res 23 A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to "Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 46)
11/05 HR 22 Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (363 - 64)
11/05 HR 2685 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
11/03 S 1140 Federal Water Quality Protection Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 41)
11/03 H Amdt 747 Increases Weight Limit for Commercial Trucks Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 236)
10/29 HR 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
10/28 HR 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (266 - 167)
10/27 HR 597 Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (313 - 118)
10/27 S 754 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 21)
10/23 HR 3762 Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
10/22 S Amdt 2564 Prohibits Liability Immunity for Corporations that Break User Agreements Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 65)
10/21 HR 692 Default Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 194)
10/21 HR 10 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 191)
10/20 S 2146 Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
10/09 HR 702 To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions Bill Passed - House (261 - 159)
10/08 HR 538 Native American Energy Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
10/07 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 27)
10/01 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 156)
10/01 HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
10/01 HR 3457 Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 173)
9/30 HR 719 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (277 - 151)
9/30 HR 719 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
9/29 HR 3495 Women's Public Health and Safety Act Bill Passed - House (236 - 193)
9/25 HR 348 Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (233 - 170)
9/24 S Amdt 2669 Rescinds Funds from Planned Parenthood Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (47 - 52)
9/22 HR 36 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42)
9/18 HR 3504 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Bill Passed - House (248 - 177)
9/18 HR 3134 Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (241 - 187)
9/11 HR 3460 To Suspend Until January 21, 2017, the Authority of the President to Waive, Suspend, Reduce, Provide Relief from, or Otherwise Limit the Application of Sanctions Pursuant to an Agreement Related to the Nuclear Program of Iran Bill Passed - House (247 - 186)
9/11 HR 3461 To Approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, Relating to the Nuclear Program of Iran. Bill Failed - House (162 - 269)
9/10 H Res 411 Finding that the President Has Not Complied with Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (245 - 186)
7/30 HR 22 Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
7/29 HR 1994 VA Accountability Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (256 - 170)

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