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 17, 2011 National HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
March 16, 2011 National HR 861 Terminating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 182)
March 15, 2011 National H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - House (271 - 158)
March 11, 2011 National HR 836 Terminating the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 177)
March 10, 2011 National HR 830 Terminating the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program Bill Passed - House (256 - 171)
March 9, 2011 National HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56)
March 9, 2011 National S Amdt 149 Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
March 3, 2011 National HR 4 Repeals the Form 1099 Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (314 - 112)
March 2, 2011 National H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
March 2, 2011 National S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
March 1, 2011 National S Amdt 112 Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47)
March 1, 2011 National H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - House (335 - 91)
Feb. 19, 2011 National H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
Feb. 19, 2011 National HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (235 - 189)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 95 Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 94 Prohibits Funds for the Gainful Employment Rule Amendment Adopted - House (289 - 136)
Feb. 17, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
Feb. 17, 2011 National H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
Feb. 16, 2011 National H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
Feb. 15, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 21 Reducing Federal Aviation Administration Appropriations Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2011 National H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
Feb. 15, 2011 National S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Feb. 14, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
Feb. 8, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 28 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 9 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 13 Repealing the Federal Health Care Law Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
Jan. 26, 2011 National HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
Jan. 25, 2011 National H Res 38 Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165)
Jan. 19, 2011 National HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
Dec. 22, 2010 National HR 847 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 60)
Dec. 22, 2010 National Treaty Doc. 111-5 Treaty with Russia to Reduce and Limit Offensive Arms Treaty Ratification Passed - Senate (71 - 26)
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. 21, 2010 National HR 2751 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 144)
Dec. 18, 2010 National HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31)
Dec. 17, 2010 National HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (277 - 148)
Dec. 17, 2010 National HR 5510 Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act Bill Failed - House (210 - 145)
Dec. 16, 2010 National H Amdt 786 Amending the Estate Tax Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
Dec. 15, 2010 National HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
Dec. 15, 2010 National HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
Dec. 9, 2010 National HR 847 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 6495 Mine Safety Act Bill Failed - House (214 - 193)
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 5281 DREAM Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198)
Dec. 8, 2010 National S 3985 Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Dec. 8, 2010 National S 3991 Allowing Collective Bargaining for Public Safety Officers Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 5987 Seniors Protection Act Bill Failed - House (254 - 153)
Dec. 4, 2010 National S Amdt 4728 Extension of Tax Cuts for Those Making Under $1 Million Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 37)
Dec. 4, 2010 National S Amdt 4727 Extension of Tax Cuts for Those Making Under $250,000 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 36)
Dec. 2, 2010 National HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (234 - 188)
Dec. 2, 2010 National H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
Nov. 30, 2010 National S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
Nov. 30, 2010 National S 510 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
Nov. 18, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
Nov. 18, 2010 National HR 6419 Extension of Certain Unemployment Benefits Bill Failed - House (258 - 154)
Nov. 17, 2010 National HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
Nov. 17, 2010 National S 3772 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 41)
Sept. 30, 2010 National HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 194)
Sept. 29, 2010 National S J Res 39 Disapproving Rule for "Grandfathered Health Plans" Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 59)
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)
Sept. 28, 2010 National S 3816 Tax Law Amendments Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Sept. 23, 2010 National HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (237 - 187)
Sept. 23, 2010 National HR 5110 Expanding Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Bill Failed - House (244 - 174)
Sept. 23, 2010 National HR 4823 Establishing Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Bill Failed - House (258 - 160)
Sept. 23, 2010 National S 3628 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (59 - 39)
Sept. 22, 2010 National HR 3470 Infant Mortality Pilot Programs Bill Passed - House (324 - 64)
Sept. 21, 2010 National S 3454 2010-2011 Defense Authorizations Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
Sept. 14, 2010 National S Amdt 4596 Repealing Business Transaction Reporting Requirements Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52)
Sept. 14, 2010 National S Amdt 4595 Business Transaction Reporting Requirement Amendments Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
Aug. 10, 2010 National HR 1586 Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (247 - 161)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/17 HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
3/16 HR 861 Terminating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 182)
3/15 H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - House (271 - 158)
3/11 HR 836 Terminating the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 177)
3/10 HR 830 Terminating the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program Bill Passed - House (256 - 171)
3/09 HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56)
3/09 S Amdt 149 Department of Defense funding and Continuing Appropriations Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 58)
3/03 HR 4 Repeals the Form 1099 Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (314 - 112)
3/02 H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9)
3/02 S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
3/01 S Amdt 112 Prioritizing Payment of Public Debt Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47)
3/01 H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - House (335 - 91)
2/19 H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
2/19 HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (235 - 189)
2/18 H Amdt 95 Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185)
2/18 H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
2/18 H Amdt 94 Prohibits Funds for the Gainful Employment Rule Amendment Adopted - House (289 - 136)
2/17 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
2/17 H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
2/16 H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
2/15 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
2/15 S Amdt 21 Reducing Federal Aviation Administration Appropriations Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 47)
2/15 H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
2/15 S Amdt 14 Prohibiting Transportation Security Administration Employees from Collective Bargaining Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
2/14 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
2/08 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
2/02 S Amdt 28 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
2/02 S Amdt 9 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17)
2/02 S Amdt 13 Repealing the Federal Health Care Law Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51)
1/26 HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
1/25 H Res 38 Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165)
1/19 HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
12/22 HR 847 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 60)
12/22 Treaty Doc. 111-5 Treaty with Russia to Reduce and Limit Offensive Arms Treaty Ratification Passed - Senate (71 - 26)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 16)
12/21 HR 2751 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 144)
12/18 HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 31)
12/17 HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (277 - 148)
12/17 HR 5510 Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act Bill Failed - House (210 - 145)
12/16 H Amdt 786 Amending the Estate Tax Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
12/15 HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
12/15 HR 2965 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 175)
12/09 HR 847 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
12/08 HR 6495 Mine Safety Act Bill Failed - House (214 - 193)
12/08 HR 5281 DREAM Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198)
12/08 S 3985 Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
12/08 S 3991 Allowing Collective Bargaining for Public Safety Officers Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 43)
12/08 HR 5987 Seniors Protection Act Bill Failed - House (254 - 153)
12/04 S Amdt 4728 Extension of Tax Cuts for Those Making Under $1 Million Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 37)
12/04 S Amdt 4727 Extension of Tax Cuts for Those Making Under $250,000 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 36)
12/02 HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (234 - 188)
12/02 H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
11/30 S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
11/30 S 510 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
11/18 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
11/18 HR 6419 Extension of Certain Unemployment Benefits Bill Failed - House (258 - 154)
11/17 HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
11/17 S 3772 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 41)
9/30 HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 194)
9/29 S J Res 39 Disapproving Rule for "Grandfathered Health Plans" Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 59)
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)
9/28 S 3816 Tax Law Amendments Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
9/23 HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (237 - 187)
9/23 HR 5110 Expanding Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Bill Failed - House (244 - 174)
9/23 HR 4823 Establishing Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area Bill Failed - House (258 - 160)
9/23 S 3628 Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (59 - 39)
9/22 HR 3470 Infant Mortality Pilot Programs Bill Passed - House (324 - 64)
9/21 S 3454 2010-2011 Defense Authorizations Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
9/16 HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38)
9/16 HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
9/14 S Amdt 4596 Repealing Business Transaction Reporting Requirements Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52)
9/14 S Amdt 4595 Business Transaction Reporting Requirement Amendments Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
8/10 HR 1586 Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (247 - 161)

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