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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 1994 | National | S Amdt 1696 | Bosnia-Herzegovina Policy Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 49) |
| May 12, 1994 | National | S Amdt 1695 | Bosnia Arms Embargo Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 49) |
| May 12, 1994 | National | S 636 | Abortion Clinic Access bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 30) |
| May 12, 1994 | National | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
| May 5, 1994 | National | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (220 - 183) |
| May 5, 1994 | National | S 636 | Abortion Clinic Access bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (241 - 174) |
| May 5, 1994 | National | HR 4296 | Regulation of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons | Bill Passed - House (216 - 214) |
| April 21, 1994 | National | HR 4092 | Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 | Bill Passed - House (285 - 141) |
| April 19, 1994 | National | PN 1210 | Adm. Frank B. Kelso II, Retiring | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43) |
| April 14, 1994 | National | H Amdt 503 | Death Penalty Removal Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (111 - 314) |
| April 13, 1994 | National | S 21 | California Desert Protection Act of 1994 | Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 29) |
| March 26, 1994 | National | HR 1804 | Goals 2000: Educate America Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 22) |
| March 25, 1994 | National | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 40) |
| March 24, 1994 | National | H Amdt 491 | Homosexuality Education Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 194) |
| March 24, 1994 | National | H Amdt 497 | Funding and Programs Substitute Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (173 - 245) |
| March 23, 1994 | National | HR 1804 | Goals 2000: Educate America Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (306 - 121) |
| March 22, 1994 | National | H Amdt 488 | Optional Abstinence Emphasis Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (262 - 166) |
| March 17, 1994 | National | H J Res 103 | Balanced Budget Amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - House (271 - 153) |
| March 16, 1994 | National | HR 820 | National Competitiveness Act of 1993 | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 40) |
| March 11, 1994 | National | H Amdt 466 | Budget Resolution Substitute Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 243) |
| March 11, 1994 | National | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Resolution Passed - House (223 - 175) |
| March 9, 1994 | National | H Amdt 462 | Tobacco Education Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (353 - 70) |
| March 1, 1994 | National | S J Res 41 | Balanced Budget amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37) |
| Feb. 11, 1994 | National | HR 3759 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994 | Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 65) |
| Feb. 10, 1994 | National | H Amdt 436 | Bryant Amendment to Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 1993 | Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 188) |
| Feb. 10, 1994 | National | HR 3759 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994 | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 10) |
| Feb. 8, 1994 | National | S Amdt 1390 | Contraceptives Distribution Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 59) |
| Feb. 3, 1994 | National | H Amdt 427 | Fiscal 1994 Disaster Relief Funding | Amendment Rejected - House (207 - 211) |
| Feb. 3, 1994 | National | HR 3759 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994 | Bill Passed - House (337 - 74) |
| Feb. 2, 1994 | National | HR 2333 | State Department FY94-95 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
| Jan. 27, 1994 | National | S Amdt 1263 | Vietnam Trade Embargo | Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 38) |
| Nov. 23, 1993 | National | S 714 | Resolution Trust Corporation Completion Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 191) |
| Nov. 23, 1993 | National | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (238 - 187) |
| Nov. 22, 1993 | National | H Amdt 415 | Sabo Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 | Amendment Adopted - House (277 - 153) |
| Nov. 22, 1993 | National | H Amdt 416 | Penny Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 | Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219) |
| Nov. 22, 1993 | National | HR 3 | Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1993 | Bill Passed - House (255 - 175) |
| Nov. 21, 1993 | National | HR 51 | D.C. Statehood Bill | Bill Failed - House (153 - 277) |
| Nov. 20, 1993 | National | S 714 | Resolution Trust Corporation Completion Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 45) |
| Nov. 20, 1993 | National | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 36) |
| Nov. 20, 1993 | National | HR 3450 | North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38) |
| Nov. 19, 1993 | National | HR 3351 | Youth Offenders Alternative Punishment | Bill Passed - House (336 - 82) |
| Nov. 18, 1993 | National | HR 796 | Abortion Clinic Access Bill | Motion Rejected - House (182 - 246) |
| Nov. 17, 1993 | National | S Amdt 1152 | Prohibiting the Possession of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons | Amendment Adopted - Senate (56 - 43) |
| Nov. 17, 1993 | National | S Amdt 1204 | Replacing the Death Penalty with Life Imprisonment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 74) |
| Nov. 17, 1993 | National | HR 2401 | Defense FY94 Authorization Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (77 - 22) |
| Nov. 17, 1993 | National | HR 3450 | North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act | Bill Passed - House (234 - 200) |
| Nov. 15, 1993 | National | HR 2401 | Defense FY94 Authorization Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (273 - 135) |
| Nov. 10, 1993 | National | H Amdt 390 | Instant Background Checks for Gun Purchase Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 192) |
| Nov. 10, 1993 | National | HR 3116 | Defense Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 9) |
| Nov. 10, 1993 | National | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Bill Passed - House (238 - 189) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/12 | S Amdt 1696 | Bosnia-Herzegovina Policy Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 49) |
| 5/12 | S Amdt 1695 | Bosnia Arms Embargo Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (50 - 49) |
| 5/12 | S 636 | Abortion Clinic Access bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 30) |
| 5/12 | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
| 5/05 | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (220 - 183) |
| 5/05 | S 636 | Abortion Clinic Access bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (241 - 174) |
| 5/05 | HR 4296 | Regulation of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons | Bill Passed - House (216 - 214) |
| 4/21 | HR 4092 | Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 | Bill Passed - House (285 - 141) |
| 4/19 | PN 1210 | Adm. Frank B. Kelso II, Retiring | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (54 - 43) |
| 4/14 | H Amdt 503 | Death Penalty Removal Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (111 - 314) |
| 4/13 | S 21 | California Desert Protection Act of 1994 | Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 29) |
| 3/26 | HR 1804 | Goals 2000: Educate America Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 22) |
| 3/25 | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 40) |
| 3/24 | H Amdt 491 | Homosexuality Education Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 194) |
| 3/24 | H Amdt 497 | Funding and Programs Substitute Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (173 - 245) |
| 3/23 | HR 1804 | Goals 2000: Educate America Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (306 - 121) |
| 3/22 | H Amdt 488 | Optional Abstinence Emphasis Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (262 - 166) |
| 3/17 | H J Res 103 | Balanced Budget Amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - House (271 - 153) |
| 3/16 | HR 820 | National Competitiveness Act of 1993 | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 40) |
| 3/11 | H Amdt 466 | Budget Resolution Substitute Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 243) |
| 3/11 | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Resolution Passed - House (223 - 175) |
| 3/09 | H Amdt 462 | Tobacco Education Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (353 - 70) |
| 3/01 | S J Res 41 | Balanced Budget amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37) |
| 2/11 | HR 3759 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994 | Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 65) |
| 2/10 | H Amdt 436 | Bryant Amendment to Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 1993 | Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 188) |
| 2/10 | HR 3759 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994 | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 10) |
| 2/08 | S Amdt 1390 | Contraceptives Distribution Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (34 - 59) |
| 2/03 | H Amdt 427 | Fiscal 1994 Disaster Relief Funding | Amendment Rejected - House (207 - 211) |
| 2/03 | HR 3759 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994 | Bill Passed - House (337 - 74) |
| 2/02 | HR 2333 | State Department FY94-95 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 8) |
| 1/27 | S Amdt 1263 | Vietnam Trade Embargo | Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 38) |
| 11/23 | S 714 | Resolution Trust Corporation Completion Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 191) |
| 11/23 | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (238 - 187) |
| 11/22 | H Amdt 415 | Sabo Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 | Amendment Adopted - House (277 - 153) |
| 11/22 | H Amdt 416 | Penny Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 | Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219) |
| 11/22 | HR 3 | Congressional Campaign Spending Limit and Election Reform Act of 1993 | Bill Passed - House (255 - 175) |
| 11/21 | HR 51 | D.C. Statehood Bill | Bill Failed - House (153 - 277) |
| 11/20 | S 714 | Resolution Trust Corporation Completion Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 45) |
| 11/20 | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 36) |
| 11/20 | HR 3450 | North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38) |
| 11/19 | HR 3351 | Youth Offenders Alternative Punishment | Bill Passed - House (336 - 82) |
| 11/18 | HR 796 | Abortion Clinic Access Bill | Motion Rejected - House (182 - 246) |
| 11/17 | S Amdt 1152 | Prohibiting the Possession of Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons | Amendment Adopted - Senate (56 - 43) |
| 11/17 | S Amdt 1204 | Replacing the Death Penalty with Life Imprisonment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 74) |
| 11/17 | HR 2401 | Defense FY94 Authorization Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (77 - 22) |
| 11/17 | HR 3450 | North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act | Bill Passed - House (234 - 200) |
| 11/15 | HR 2401 | Defense FY94 Authorization Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (273 - 135) |
| 11/10 | H Amdt 390 | Instant Background Checks for Gun Purchase Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 192) |
| 11/10 | HR 3116 | Defense Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 9) |
| 11/10 | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Bill Passed - House (238 - 189) |