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
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 2679 Public Expression of Religion Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
Sept. 26, 2006 National S 403 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 153)
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 5092 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bill Passed - House (277 - 131)
Sept. 26, 2006 National HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 Bill Failed - House (234 - 172)
Sept. 26, 2006 National N/A Motion to Resolve Into Secret Session Motion Rejected - House (171 - 217)
Sept. 25, 2006 National HR 5062 New Hampshire Wilderness Act Bill Failed - House (220 - 169)
Sept. 21, 2006 National HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
Sept. 21, 2006 National S 2832 Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 2006 Bill Failed - House (215 - 204)
Sept. 20, 2006 National HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
Sept. 14, 2006 National HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (283 - 138)
Sept. 13, 2006 National HR 4893 Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes Act Bill Failed - House (247 - 171)
Sept. 7, 2006 National HR 503 Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill Bill Passed - House (263 - 146)
July 29, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 180)
July 28, 2006 National HR 4 Pension Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (279 - 131)
July 27, 2006 National HR 4157 Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (270 - 148)
July 26, 2006 National HR 5682 U.S.and India Nuclear Cooperation Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (359 - 68)
July 20, 2006 National HR 5684 U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Bill Passed - House (221 - 205)
July 19, 2006 National HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193)
July 19, 2006 National HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
July 18, 2006 National S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
July 18, 2006 National H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
July 13, 2006 National HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
July 12, 2006 National HR 2990 Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 166)
July 11, 2006 National H Amdt 1179 Online Gambling Ban Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 297)
July 11, 2006 National HR 4411 Internet Gambling Bill Bill Passed - House (317 - 93)
June 29, 2006 National H Res 895 Intelligence and Law Enforcement Resolution Resolution Passed - House (227 - 183)
June 29, 2006 National HR 4761 Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (232 - 187)
June 29, 2006 National HR 5672 Commerce Department Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (393 - 23)
June 28, 2006 National H Amdt 1156 Trigger Lock Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 191)
June 22, 2006 National HR 5638 Death/Estate Tax Amendment Bill Passed - House (269 - 156)
June 22, 2006 National HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
June 20, 2006 National HR 5631 Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (407 - 19)
June 16, 2006 National H Res 861 Global War on Terror Resolution Passed - House (256 - 153)
June 14, 2006 National HR 5576 Transportation, Treasury and Housing Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (406 - 22)
June 13, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (351 - 67)
June 9, 2006 National HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
June 8, 2006 National HR 5252 COPE Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - House (321 - 101)
June 7, 2006 National HR 5521 Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 53)
June 6, 2006 National HR 5441 Department of Homeland Security Appropriation Act, 2007 Bill Passed - House (389 - 9)
May 23, 2006 National HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
May 18, 2006 National H Amdt 856 Outer Continental Shelf Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (217 - 203)
May 18, 2006 National H Amdt 842 Outer Continental Shelf for Gas and Oil Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (141 - 279)
May 18, 2006 National HR 5386 Interior Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (293 - 128)
May 10, 2006 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185)
May 3, 2006 National HR 4975 527 Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
April 5, 2006 National HR 513 527 Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (218 - 209)
March 30, 2006 National H Res 746 Jack Abramoff Investigation Resolution Resolution Tabled - House (216 - 193)
March 30, 2006 National H Amdt 772 Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (200 - 220)
March 30, 2006 National HR 609 College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 199)
March 16, 2006 National HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - House (348 - 71)
March 8, 2006 National HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
March 7, 2006 National S 2271 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
Feb. 1, 2006 National H Res 653 Budget Reconciliation Adoption Resolution Passed - House (216 - 214)
Dec. 19, 2005 National HR 1815 Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 41)
Dec. 19, 2005 National S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206)
Dec. 19, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106)
Dec. 16, 2005 National HR 4437 Border Security Bill Bill Passed - House (239 - 182)
Dec. 14, 2005 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 174)
Dec. 14, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213)
Dec. 8, 2005 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (234 - 197)
Nov. 18, 2005 National HR 4241 Budget Reconciliation Bill Bill Passed - House (217 - 215)
Nov. 17, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224)
Nov. 9, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
Nov. 9, 2005 National HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 17)
Nov. 4, 2005 National HR 3057 Foreign Operations FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (358 - 39)
Nov. 2, 2005 National HR 1606 Online Freedom of Speech Act Bill Failed - House (225 - 182)
Oct. 28, 2005 National HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 63)
Oct. 27, 2005 National HR 420 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (228 - 184)
Oct. 20, 2005 National S 397 Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (283 - 144)
Oct. 19, 2005 National HR 554 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (306 - 120)
Oct. 7, 2005 National HR 3893 Gasoline for America's Security Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (212 - 210)
Sept. 29, 2005 National H Amdt 588 Endangered Species Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 216)
Sept. 29, 2005 National HR 3824 Endangered Species Reauthorization Bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
Sept. 15, 2005 National H Res 437 Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188)
July 29, 2005 National HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (412 - 8)
July 28, 2005 National HR 6 Energy Policy Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (275 - 156)
July 28, 2005 National HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (305 - 122)
July 28, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 10)
July 28, 2005 National HR 5 Malpractice Liability Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
July 28, 2005 National HR 3045 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - House (217 - 215)
July 26, 2005 National H Amdt 514 Small Employer Health Benefits Plan Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (197 - 230)
July 22, 2005 National H Amdt 511 Advanced Research Opportunities Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (192 - 206)
July 21, 2005 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Motion Rejected - House (209 - 218)
July 21, 2005 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (257 - 171)
July 20, 2005 National HR 2601 State Department FY 2006/2007 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (351 - 78)
July 19, 2005 National H Amdt 464 Obstetric Fistula Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 205)
July 14, 2005 National HR 3100 East Asia Security Act of 2005 Bill Failed - House (215 - 203)
July 12, 2005 National HR 741 Independent Review of OSHA Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (226 - 197)
June 30, 2005 National H Amdt 427 Eminent Domain Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 189)
June 30, 2005 National HR 3058 Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Judiciary Appropriation Bill Passed - House (405 - 18)
June 28, 2005 National HR 3057 Foreign Operations FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (393 - 32)
June 23, 2005 National H Amdt 346 Annual Fit Test Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 216)
June 23, 2005 National H Amdt 343 Restoring Funds for Public Broadcasting Amendment Adopted - House (284 - 140)
June 22, 2005 National HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - House (330 - 82)
June 22, 2005 National H J Res 10 Flag Desecration Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (286 - 130)
June 20, 2005 National HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (398 - 19)
June 17, 2005 National HR 2745 United Nations Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 184)
June 16, 2005 National HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (418 - 7)
June 15, 2005 National H Amdt 270 Bans Use of Funds to Enforce Cuba Regulations Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 216)
June 15, 2005 National H Amdt 280 Patriot Act Amendment - Library Records Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 187)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/26 HR 2679 Public Expression of Religion Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
9/26 S 403 Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 153)
9/26 HR 5092 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bill Passed - House (277 - 131)
9/26 HR 4772 Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 Bill Failed - House (234 - 172)
9/26 N/A Motion to Resolve Into Secret Session Motion Rejected - House (171 - 217)
9/25 HR 5062 New Hampshire Wilderness Act Bill Failed - House (220 - 169)
9/21 HR 6095 Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (277 - 140)
9/21 S 2832 Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 2006 Bill Failed - House (215 - 204)
9/20 HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
9/14 HR 6061 Secure Fence Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (283 - 138)
9/13 HR 4893 Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes Act Bill Failed - House (247 - 171)
9/07 HR 503 Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill Bill Passed - House (263 - 146)
7/29 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 180)
7/28 HR 4 Pension Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (279 - 131)
7/27 HR 4157 Better Health Information Systems Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (270 - 148)
7/26 HR 5682 U.S.and India Nuclear Cooperation Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (359 - 68)
7/20 HR 5684 U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Implementation Bill Passed - House (221 - 205)
7/19 HR 810 Stem Cell Research Bill of 2005 Veto Override Failed - House (235 - 193)
7/19 HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
7/18 S 2754 Alternative Stem Cell Therapies Act Bill Failed - House (273 - 154)
7/18 H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
7/13 HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
7/12 HR 2990 Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 166)
7/11 H Amdt 1179 Online Gambling Ban Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 297)
7/11 HR 4411 Internet Gambling Bill Bill Passed - House (317 - 93)
6/29 H Res 895 Intelligence and Law Enforcement Resolution Resolution Passed - House (227 - 183)
6/29 HR 4761 Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (232 - 187)
6/29 HR 5672 Commerce Department Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (393 - 23)
6/28 H Amdt 1156 Trigger Lock Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 191)
6/22 HR 5638 Death/Estate Tax Amendment Bill Passed - House (269 - 156)
6/22 HR 4890 Line Item Veto Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 172)
6/20 HR 5631 Defense Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (407 - 19)
6/16 H Res 861 Global War on Terror Resolution Passed - House (256 - 153)
6/14 HR 5576 Transportation, Treasury and Housing Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (406 - 22)
6/13 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (351 - 67)
6/09 HR 5522 Foreign Operations and Export Finance Appropriation Act Bill Passed - House (373 - 34)
6/08 HR 5252 COPE Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - House (321 - 101)
6/07 HR 5521 Legislative Branch FY 2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 53)
6/06 HR 5441 Department of Homeland Security Appropriation Act, 2007 Bill Passed - House (389 - 9)
5/23 HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
5/18 H Amdt 856 Outer Continental Shelf Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (217 - 203)
5/18 H Amdt 842 Outer Continental Shelf for Gas and Oil Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (141 - 279)
5/18 HR 5386 Interior Department FY2007 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (293 - 128)
5/10 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 185)
5/03 HR 4975 527 Reform Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (217 - 213)
4/05 HR 513 527 Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (218 - 209)
3/30 H Res 746 Jack Abramoff Investigation Resolution Resolution Tabled - House (216 - 193)
3/30 H Amdt 772 Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (200 - 220)
3/30 HR 609 College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 199)
3/16 HR 4939 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - House (348 - 71)
3/08 HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
3/07 S 2271 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization bill Bill Passed - House (280 - 138)
2/01 H Res 653 Budget Reconciliation Adoption Resolution Passed - House (216 - 214)
12/19 HR 1815 Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 41)
12/19 S 1932 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206)
12/19 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (308 - 106)
12/16 HR 4437 Border Security Bill Bill Passed - House (239 - 182)
12/14 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 174)
12/14 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213)
12/08 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (234 - 197)
11/18 HR 4241 Budget Reconciliation Bill Bill Passed - House (217 - 215)
11/17 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224)
11/09 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 19)
11/09 HR 2419 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill FY 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 17)
11/04 HR 3057 Foreign Operations FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (358 - 39)
11/02 HR 1606 Online Freedom of Speech Act Bill Failed - House (225 - 182)
10/28 HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 63)
10/27 HR 420 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (228 - 184)
10/20 S 397 Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (283 - 144)
10/19 HR 554 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (306 - 120)
10/07 HR 3893 Gasoline for America's Security Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (212 - 210)
9/29 H Amdt 588 Endangered Species Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 216)
9/29 HR 3824 Endangered Species Reauthorization Bill Bill Passed - House (229 - 193)
9/15 H Res 437 Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Hurricane Katrina Resolution Passed - House (224 - 188)
7/29 HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (412 - 8)
7/28 HR 6 Energy Policy Act of 2005 Conference Report Adopted - House (275 - 156)
7/28 HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Conference Report Adopted - House (305 - 122)
7/28 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 10)
7/28 HR 5 Malpractice Liability Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 194)
7/28 HR 3045 CAFTA Implementation Bill Bill Passed - House (217 - 215)
7/26 H Amdt 514 Small Employer Health Benefits Plan Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (197 - 230)
7/22 H Amdt 511 Advanced Research Opportunities Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (192 - 206)
7/21 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Motion Rejected - House (209 - 218)
7/21 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (257 - 171)
7/20 HR 2601 State Department FY 2006/2007 Authorization Bill Bill Passed - House (351 - 78)
7/19 H Amdt 464 Obstetric Fistula Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 205)
7/14 HR 3100 East Asia Security Act of 2005 Bill Failed - House (215 - 203)
7/12 HR 741 Independent Review of OSHA Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (226 - 197)
6/30 H Amdt 427 Eminent Domain Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 189)
6/30 HR 3058 Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Judiciary Appropriation Bill Passed - House (405 - 18)
6/28 HR 3057 Foreign Operations FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (393 - 32)
6/23 H Amdt 346 Annual Fit Test Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 216)
6/23 H Amdt 343 Restoring Funds for Public Broadcasting Amendment Adopted - House (284 - 140)
6/22 HR 2985 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2006 Bill Passed - House (330 - 82)
6/22 H J Res 10 Flag Desecration Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (286 - 130)
6/20 HR 2863 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (398 - 19)
6/17 HR 2745 United Nations Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 184)
6/16 HR 2862 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, FY 2006 Bill Passed - House (418 - 7)
6/15 H Amdt 270 Bans Use of Funds to Enforce Cuba Regulations Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 216)
6/15 H Amdt 280 Patriot Act Amendment - Library Records Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 187)

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