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
July 27, 1995 National S 641 Ryan White CARE Reauthorization Act of 1995 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 3)
July 26, 1995 National S 21 Bosnia and Herzegovina Self-Defense Act of 1995 Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 29)
July 26, 1995 National HR 2076 Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State Bill Passed - House (272 - 151)
July 21, 1995 National HR 1817 Military Construction FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 10)
July 21, 1995 National HR 1944 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 7)
July 19, 1995 National HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Bill Passed - House (216 - 211)
July 18, 1995 National HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (244 - 181)
July 11, 1995 National S Amdt 1497 Small Business Impact Analysis Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
July 11, 1995 National HR 1868 Appropriations bill, FY96, Foreign Relations Bill Passed - House (333 - 89)
July 10, 1995 National S Amdt 1491 Small Business Impact Analyses Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 36)
June 29, 1995 National H Con Res 67 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 194)
June 29, 1995 National H Con Res 67 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 46)
June 29, 1995 National HR 1944 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - House (276 - 151)
June 28, 1995 National H Amdt 477 Abortion Funding Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (243 - 187)
June 28, 1995 National HR 1058 Legal Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
June 28, 1995 National H J Res 79 Flag Desecration bill Joint Resolution Passed - House (312 - 120)
June 22, 1995 National PN 245 Henry W. Foster Jr., Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 43)
June 21, 1995 National S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
June 21, 1995 National HR 1817 Military Construction FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (319 - 105)
June 20, 1995 National S Amdt 1427 Commercial Vehicle Speed Limit Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
June 20, 1995 National S Amdt 1437 Motorcycle Helmet Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
June 15, 1995 National H Amdt 436 Overseas Military Abortion Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 230)
June 15, 1995 National HR 1530 Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department Bill Passed - House (300 - 126)
June 15, 1995 National S 652 Telecommunications Bill Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
June 8, 1995 National HR 1561 Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations Bill Passed - House (222 - 192)
June 7, 1995 National S 735 Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 8)
June 6, 1995 National S Amdt 1215 Anti-terrorism Wiretaps Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (77 - 19)
May 25, 1995 National HR 1158 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 38)
May 25, 1995 National H Con Res 67 Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution - Adoption Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 42)
May 24, 1995 National H Amdt 403 Foreign Abortion Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 181)
May 18, 1995 National HR 1158 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 189)
May 18, 1995 National H Con Res 67 Budget FY1996 Appropriations Resolution Resolution Passed - House (238 - 193)
May 16, 1995 National HR 961 Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
May 10, 1995 National HR 956 Product Liability bill Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
April 5, 1995 National HR 1215 Contract With America Tax Relief Act of 1995 Bill Passed - House (246 - 188)
March 29, 1995 National H J Res 73 Term Limits bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (227 - 204)
March 24, 1995 National HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (234 - 199)
March 23, 1995 National S Amdt 350 Pay-As-You-Go Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (49 - 48)
March 23, 1995 National S 4 Line-Item Veto bill Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 29)
March 16, 1995 National HR 1158 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - House (227 - 200)
March 8, 1995 National HR 1058 Legal Reform bill Bill Passed - House (325 - 99)
March 3, 1995 National HR 925 Private Property Protection Act of 1995 Bill Passed - House (277 - 148)
March 2, 1995 National H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (65 - 35)
Feb. 28, 1995 National HR 1022 Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Act of 1995 Bill Passed - House (286 - 141)
Feb. 16, 1995 National HR 7 Limiting U.S. Monetary and Troop Assistance to the United Nations Bill Passed - House (241 - 181)
Feb. 14, 1995 National HR 728 Anti-Crime bill Bill Passed - House (238 - 192)
Feb. 8, 1995 National HR 666 Admission of Evidence Seized Without a Warrant in Certain Conditions Bill Passed - House (289 - 142)
Feb. 6, 1995 National HR 2 Line Item Veto Act Bill Passed - House (294 - 134)
Jan. 26, 1995 National H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (300 - 132)
Jan. 5, 1995 National S Amdt 1 Filibuster Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (76 - 19)
Dec. 1, 1994 National HR 5110 Uruguay Round Agreements Act Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 24)
Nov. 29, 1994 National HR 5110 Uruguay Round Agreements Act Bill Passed - House (288 - 146)
Sept. 29, 1994 National HR 4556 Transportation FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 11)
Sept. 29, 1994 National HR 4650 Defense FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (327 - 86)
Sept. 28, 1994 National HR 4602 Interior Department FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
Sept. 27, 1994 National HR 4606 Appropriations Bill FY95, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (83 - 16)
Sept. 27, 1994 National HR 4624 Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development Conference Report Adopted - Senate (90 - 9)
Sept. 27, 1994 National HR 4539 Treasury, Postal Service Appropriations Bill FY95 Conference Report Adopted - House (360 - 53)
Sept. 23, 1994 National HR 4554 Agriculture FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (287 - 107)
Sept. 22, 1994 National HR 4606 Appropriations Bill FY95, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - House (331 - 89)
Sept. 21, 1994 National HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (71 - 27)
Sept. 13, 1994 National S 2182 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (80 - 18)
Sept. 12, 1994 National HR 4624 Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development Conference Report Adopted - House (313 - 61)
Aug. 25, 1994 National HR 3355 Omnibus Crime Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 38)
Aug. 21, 1994 National HR 3355 Omnibus Crime Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 195)
Aug. 19, 1994 National HR 4603 Appropriations Bill FY95, Commerce, Justice, State Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 10)
Aug. 18, 1994 National HR 4603 Appropriations Bill FY95, Commerce, Justice, State Conference Report Adopted - House (322 - 98)
Aug. 17, 1994 National S 2182 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 137)
Aug. 11, 1994 National HR 4650 Defense FY95 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 14)
Aug. 10, 1994 National HR 4426 Foreign Operations FY95 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 12)
Aug. 10, 1994 National HR 4453 Military Construction FY95 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 5)
Aug. 10, 1994 National HR 4506 Appropriations Bill FY95, Energy and Water Development Conference Report Adopted - House (393 - 34)
Aug. 10, 1994 National HR 4606 Appropriations Bill FY95, Labor, HHS, Education Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 13)
Aug. 4, 1994 National HR 4426 Foreign Operations FY95 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (341 - 85)
Aug. 4, 1994 National HR 4624 Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/27 S 641 Ryan White CARE Reauthorization Act of 1995 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 3)
7/26 S 21 Bosnia and Herzegovina Self-Defense Act of 1995 Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 29)
7/26 HR 2076 Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State Bill Passed - House (272 - 151)
7/21 HR 1817 Military Construction FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 10)
7/21 HR 1944 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 7)
7/19 HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Bill Passed - House (216 - 211)
7/18 HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (244 - 181)
7/11 S Amdt 1497 Small Business Impact Analysis Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 45)
7/11 HR 1868 Appropriations bill, FY96, Foreign Relations Bill Passed - House (333 - 89)
7/10 S Amdt 1491 Small Business Impact Analyses Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 36)
6/29 H Con Res 67 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 194)
6/29 H Con Res 67 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 46)
6/29 HR 1944 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - House (276 - 151)
6/28 H Amdt 477 Abortion Funding Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (243 - 187)
6/28 HR 1058 Legal Reform bill Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
6/28 H J Res 79 Flag Desecration bill Joint Resolution Passed - House (312 - 120)
6/22 PN 245 Henry W. Foster Jr., Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 43)
6/21 S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
6/21 HR 1817 Military Construction FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (319 - 105)
6/20 S Amdt 1427 Commercial Vehicle Speed Limit Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
6/20 S Amdt 1437 Motorcycle Helmet Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53)
6/15 H Amdt 436 Overseas Military Abortion Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 230)
6/15 HR 1530 Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department Bill Passed - House (300 - 126)
6/15 S 652 Telecommunications Bill Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
6/08 HR 1561 Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations Bill Passed - House (222 - 192)
6/07 S 735 Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 8)
6/06 S Amdt 1215 Anti-terrorism Wiretaps Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (77 - 19)
5/25 HR 1158 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 38)
5/25 H Con Res 67 Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution - Adoption Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 42)
5/24 H Amdt 403 Foreign Abortion Ban Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 181)
5/18 HR 1158 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 189)
5/18 H Con Res 67 Budget FY1996 Appropriations Resolution Resolution Passed - House (238 - 193)
5/16 HR 961 Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation and Management Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 185)
5/10 HR 956 Product Liability bill Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
4/05 HR 1215 Contract With America Tax Relief Act of 1995 Bill Passed - House (246 - 188)
3/29 H J Res 73 Term Limits bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (227 - 204)
3/24 HR 4 Welfare Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (234 - 199)
3/23 S Amdt 350 Pay-As-You-Go Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (49 - 48)
3/23 S 4 Line-Item Veto bill Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 29)
3/16 HR 1158 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - House (227 - 200)
3/08 HR 1058 Legal Reform bill Bill Passed - House (325 - 99)
3/03 HR 925 Private Property Protection Act of 1995 Bill Passed - House (277 - 148)
3/02 H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (65 - 35)
2/28 HR 1022 Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Act of 1995 Bill Passed - House (286 - 141)
2/16 HR 7 Limiting U.S. Monetary and Troop Assistance to the United Nations Bill Passed - House (241 - 181)
2/14 HR 728 Anti-Crime bill Bill Passed - House (238 - 192)
2/08 HR 666 Admission of Evidence Seized Without a Warrant in Certain Conditions Bill Passed - House (289 - 142)
2/06 HR 2 Line Item Veto Act Bill Passed - House (294 - 134)
1/26 H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (300 - 132)
1/05 S Amdt 1 Filibuster Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (76 - 19)
12/01 HR 5110 Uruguay Round Agreements Act Bill Passed - Senate (76 - 24)
11/29 HR 5110 Uruguay Round Agreements Act Bill Passed - House (288 - 146)
9/29 HR 4556 Transportation FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 11)
9/29 HR 4650 Defense FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (327 - 86)
9/28 HR 4602 Interior Department FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
9/27 HR 4606 Appropriations Bill FY95, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (83 - 16)
9/27 HR 4624 Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development Conference Report Adopted - Senate (90 - 9)
9/27 HR 4539 Treasury, Postal Service Appropriations Bill FY95 Conference Report Adopted - House (360 - 53)
9/23 HR 4554 Agriculture FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (287 - 107)
9/22 HR 4606 Appropriations Bill FY95, Labor, HHS, Education Conference Report Adopted - House (331 - 89)
9/21 HR 4649 District of Columbia FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (71 - 27)
9/13 S 2182 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (80 - 18)
9/12 HR 4624 Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development Conference Report Adopted - House (313 - 61)
8/25 HR 3355 Omnibus Crime Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 38)
8/21 HR 3355 Omnibus Crime Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 195)
8/19 HR 4603 Appropriations Bill FY95, Commerce, Justice, State Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 10)
8/18 HR 4603 Appropriations Bill FY95, Commerce, Justice, State Conference Report Adopted - House (322 - 98)
8/17 S 2182 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 137)
8/11 HR 4650 Defense FY95 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 14)
8/10 HR 4426 Foreign Operations FY95 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 12)
8/10 HR 4453 Military Construction FY95 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 5)
8/10 HR 4506 Appropriations Bill FY95, Energy and Water Development Conference Report Adopted - House (393 - 34)
8/10 HR 4606 Appropriations Bill FY95, Labor, HHS, Education Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 13)
8/04 HR 4426 Foreign Operations FY95 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (341 - 85)
8/04 HR 4624 Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 9)

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