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 26, 2003 National S Con Res 23 Budget Resolution FY2004 Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
March 21, 2003 National H Con Res 95 Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 Resolution Passed - House (215 - 212)
March 19, 2003 National S Amdt 272 ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
March 13, 2003 National HR 5 Malpractice Liability bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 196)
Feb. 27, 2003 National HR 534 Cloning of Humans bill Bill Passed - House (241 - 155)
Feb. 13, 2003 National H J Res 2 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (338 - 83)
Feb. 13, 2003 National H J Res 2 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20)
Feb. 13, 2003 National HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
Jan. 8, 2003 National S 23 Unemployment Benefits bill Bill Passed - House (416 - 4)
Nov. 19, 2002 National HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
Oct. 16, 2002 National HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 1)
Oct. 16, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
Oct. 11, 2002 National H J Res 114 Use of Military Force Against Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (77 - 23)
Oct. 10, 2002 National HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (409 - 14)
Oct. 10, 2002 National HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
Oct. 10, 2002 National H J Res 114 Use of Military Force Against Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - House (296 - 133)
Aug. 1, 2002 National HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 34)
Aug. 1, 2002 National HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3)
July 31, 2002 National S 812 Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 21)
July 27, 2002 National HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 212)
July 26, 2002 National HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - House (295 - 132)
July 25, 2002 National HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
July 24, 2002 National HR 4775 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
July 24, 2002 National HR 5120 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 Bill Passed - House (308 - 121)
July 24, 2002 National H Res 495 Expulsion of Representative James A. Traficant, Jr., D-Ohio Resolution Passed - House (420 - 1)
July 23, 2002 National HR 4775 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 32)
July 18, 2002 National HR 5011 Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
July 18, 2002 National HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - House (365 - 49)
July 17, 2002 National HR 5093 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
July 15, 2002 National S 2673 Accounting Industry Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
July 10, 2002 National HR 4635 Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (310 - 113)
June 28, 2002 National HR 4954 Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 208)
June 27, 2002 National HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (413 - 18)
June 27, 2002 National HR 5011 Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (426 - 1)
June 21, 2002 National S Amdt 3927 Military Abortion Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
June 18, 2002 National S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
June 11, 2002 National S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
May 24, 2002 National HR 4775 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
May 16, 2002 National HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
May 10, 2002 National HR 4546 National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2003 Bill Passed - House (359 - 58)
May 8, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 35)
May 2, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
April 25, 2002 National HR 4 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 11)
April 11, 2002 National S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
March 20, 2002 National HR 2356 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 40)
March 20, 2002 National H Con Res 353 Budget Resolution, FY 2003 Resolution Passed - House (221 - 209)
Feb. 27, 2002 National S Amdt 2937 Allowing Signatures for Voter Registration by Mail Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (46 - 51)
Feb. 14, 2002 National HR 2356 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
Feb. 13, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40)
Dec. 19, 2001 National HR 2506 Foreign Operations FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 66)
Dec. 18, 2001 National HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
Dec. 13, 2001 National S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (382 - 40)
Dec. 13, 2001 National S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2)
Dec. 13, 2001 National HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 41)
Dec. 7, 2001 National S Amdt 2336 International Courts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
Dec. 7, 2001 National HR 2944 District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (79 - 20)
Dec. 6, 2001 National HR 2944 District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (302 - 84)
Dec. 6, 2001 National HR 3005 Fast Track Trade Authority bill Bill Passed - House (215 - 214)
Dec. 4, 2001 National HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2)
Nov. 30, 2001 National HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 11)
Nov. 16, 2001 National S 1447 Federalize Aviation Security bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 9)
Nov. 15, 2001 National HR 2330 Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
Nov. 15, 2001 National HR 2500 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations, FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
Nov. 14, 2001 National HR 2500 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations, FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (411 - 15)
Nov. 13, 2001 National HR 2330 Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (379 - 33)
Nov. 8, 2001 National HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (401 - 18)
Nov. 8, 2001 National HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7)
Nov. 6, 2001 National HR 3061 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Act, 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
Nov. 1, 2001 National HR 2311 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (399 - 29)
Nov. 1, 2001 National HR 2311 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2)
Nov. 1, 2001 National HR 2647 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52)
Nov. 1, 2001 National HR 2590 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (83 - 15)
Oct. 31, 2001 National HR 2590 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 85)
Oct. 25, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
Oct. 24, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/26 S Con Res 23 Budget Resolution FY2004 Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44)
3/21 H Con Res 95 Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 Resolution Passed - House (215 - 212)
3/19 S Amdt 272 ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48)
3/13 HR 5 Malpractice Liability bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 196)
2/27 HR 534 Cloning of Humans bill Bill Passed - House (241 - 155)
2/13 H J Res 2 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (338 - 83)
2/13 H J Res 2 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20)
2/13 HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
1/08 S 23 Unemployment Benefits bill Bill Passed - House (416 - 4)
11/19 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9)
10/16 HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 1)
10/16 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
10/11 H J Res 114 Use of Military Force Against Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (77 - 23)
10/10 HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Conference Report Adopted - House (409 - 14)
10/10 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
10/10 H J Res 114 Use of Military Force Against Iraq Joint Resolution Passed - House (296 - 133)
8/01 HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 34)
8/01 HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3)
7/31 S 812 Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 21)
7/27 HR 3009 Andean Trade Preference Act Extension Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 212)
7/26 HR 5005 Establishing the Department of Homeland Security Bill Passed - House (295 - 132)
7/25 HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
7/24 HR 4775 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
7/24 HR 5120 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 Bill Passed - House (308 - 121)
7/24 H Res 495 Expulsion of Representative James A. Traficant, Jr., D-Ohio Resolution Passed - House (420 - 1)
7/23 HR 4775 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 32)
7/18 HR 5011 Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
7/18 HR 5121 Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 Bill Passed - House (365 - 49)
7/17 HR 5093 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
7/15 S 2673 Accounting Industry Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0)
7/10 HR 4635 Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (310 - 113)
6/28 HR 4954 Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 208)
6/27 HR 5010 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (413 - 18)
6/27 HR 5011 Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (426 - 1)
6/21 S Amdt 3927 Military Abortion Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 40)
6/18 S 2600 Terrorism Insurance Bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14)
6/11 S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
5/24 HR 4775 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
5/16 HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
5/10 HR 4546 National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2003 Bill Passed - House (359 - 58)
5/08 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 35)
5/02 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
4/25 HR 4 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (88 - 11)
4/11 S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
3/20 HR 2356 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 40)
3/20 H Con Res 353 Budget Resolution, FY 2003 Resolution Passed - House (221 - 209)
2/27 S Amdt 2937 Allowing Signatures for Voter Registration by Mail Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (46 - 51)
2/14 HR 2356 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
2/13 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40)
12/19 HR 2506 Foreign Operations FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 66)
12/18 HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
12/13 S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (382 - 40)
12/13 S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2)
12/13 HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 41)
12/07 S Amdt 2336 International Courts Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
12/07 HR 2944 District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (79 - 20)
12/06 HR 2944 District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (302 - 84)
12/06 HR 3005 Fast Track Trade Authority bill Bill Passed - House (215 - 214)
12/04 HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2)
11/30 HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 11)
11/16 S 1447 Federalize Aviation Security bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 9)
11/15 HR 2330 Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
11/15 HR 2500 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations, FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
11/14 HR 2500 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations, FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (411 - 15)
11/13 HR 2330 Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (379 - 33)
11/08 HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (401 - 18)
11/08 HR 2620 Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7)
11/06 HR 3061 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Act, 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10)
11/01 HR 2311 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (399 - 29)
11/01 HR 2311 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2)
11/01 HR 2647 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52)
11/01 HR 2590 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (83 - 15)
10/31 HR 2590 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 85)
10/25 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
10/24 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)

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