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 16, 2003 National HR 2122 Project BioShield Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (421 - 2)
July 14, 2003 National HR 2673 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill Passed - House (347 - 64)
July 10, 2003 National HR 2660 Department of Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (215 - 208)
July 9, 2003 National HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Bill Passed - House (394 - 26)
July 9, 2003 National HR 438 Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers Bill Passed - House (417 - 7)
July 9, 2003 National HR 2211 Ready to Teach Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (404 - 17)
July 8, 2003 National HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Bill Passed - House (399 - 19)
June 27, 2003 National HR 1 Medicare Prescription Drug bill Bill Passed - House (216 - 215)
June 24, 2003 National HR 2555 Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Bill Passed - House (425 - 2)
June 19, 2003 National HR 660 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (262 - 162)
June 19, 2003 National HR 1528 Taxpayer Protection and IRS Accountability Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
June 11, 2003 National HR 2350 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (406 - 6)
June 10, 2003 National HR 2143 Unlawful Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act Bill Passed - House (319 - 104)
June 4, 2003 National HR 760 Prohibit Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Bill Passed - House (282 - 139)
June 3, 2003 National H J Res 4 Flag Burning Resolution Bill Passed - House (300 - 125)
May 23, 2003 National HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - House (231 - 200)
May 22, 2003 National HR 1588 Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 68)
May 20, 2003 National HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (256 - 170)
May 1, 2003 National HR 1298 AIDS Assistance bill Bill Passed - House (375 - 41)
April 30, 2003 National HR 1350 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 171)
April 11, 2003 National H Con Res 95 Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 211)
April 11, 2003 National HR 6 Energy Omnibus bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 175)
April 10, 2003 National S 151 Enhance AMBER Alert bill Conference Report Adopted - House (400 - 25)
April 9, 2003 National HR 1036 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act Bill Passed - House (285 - 140)
April 3, 2003 National HR 1559 Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 Bill Passed - House (414 - 12)
April 2, 2003 National HR 743 Social Security Protection Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (396 - 28)
March 31, 2003 National HR 1463 Vaccine Compensation bill Bill Failed - House (184 - 206)
March 21, 2003 National H Con Res 95 Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 Resolution Passed - House (215 - 212)
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 HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
Jan. 8, 2003 National S 23 Unemployment Benefits bill Bill Passed - House (416 - 4)
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)
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 24, 2002 National H Res 495 Expulsion of Representative James A. Traficant, Jr., D-Ohio Resolution Passed - House (420 - 1)
July 24, 2002 National HR 5120 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 Bill Passed - House (308 - 121)
July 23, 2002 National HR 4775 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 32)
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 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)
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 2, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
March 20, 2002 National H Con Res 353 Budget Resolution, FY 2003 Resolution Passed - House (221 - 209)
Feb. 14, 2002 National HR 2356 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
Dec. 19, 2001 National HR 2506 Foreign Operations FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 66)
Dec. 13, 2001 National S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (382 - 40)
Dec. 13, 2001 National HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 41)
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)
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. 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. 1, 2001 National HR 2311 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (399 - 29)
Nov. 1, 2001 National HR 2647 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52)
Oct. 31, 2001 National HR 2590 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 85)
Oct. 24, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
Oct. 12, 2001 National HR 2975 Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (337 - 79)
Oct. 11, 2001 National HR 3061 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Act, 2002 Bill Passed - House (373 - 43)
Oct. 5, 2001 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - House (291 - 120)
Sept. 21, 2001 National HR 2926 Airline Industry Financial Assistance bill Bill Passed - House (356 - 54)
Sept. 14, 2001 National H J Res 64 Authorization for Use of Military Force Joint Resolution Passed - House (420 - 1)
Aug. 2, 2001 National H Amdt 303 Amendment to the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 213)
Aug. 2, 2001 National HR 4 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
Aug. 2, 2001 National HR 2563 Bipartisan Patient Protection Act Bill Passed - House (226 - 203)
Aug. 1, 2001 National H Amdt 298 Prohibiting Oil Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 223)
Aug. 1, 2001 National H Amdt 288 Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (160 - 269)
July 31, 2001 National H Amdt 285 Human Cloning Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (178 - 249)
July 31, 2001 National HR 2505 Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (265 - 162)
July 26, 2001 National HR 1954 Iran and Libya Sanctions Bill Passed - House (409 - 6)
July 25, 2001 National H Amdt 241 Substitute Amendment to Treasury Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2002 Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 186)
July 25, 2001 National HR 2590 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 2002 Bill Passed - House (334 - 94)
July 20, 2001 National HR 2216 2001 Supplemental Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (375 - 30)
July 19, 2001 National H Amdt 200 Community Solutions Act Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (168 - 261)
July 19, 2001 National H J Res 50 China Trade Relations bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (169 - 259)
July 19, 2001 National HR 7 Community Solutions Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (233 - 198)
July 18, 2001 National HR 2500 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations, FY 2002 Bill Passed - House (408 - 19)
July 17, 2001 National H J Res 36 Flag Burning Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (298 - 125)
May 26, 2001 National HR 1836 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001 Conference Report Adopted - House (240 - 154)
May 23, 2001 National HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (384 - 45)
May 16, 2001 National HR 1836 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001 Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
May 9, 2001 National H Con Res 83 Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 207)
April 26, 2001 National H Amdt 27 Violence Against Fetuses/Unborn Children Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 229)
April 26, 2001 National HR 503 Unborn Victims of Violence Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 172)
March 7, 2001 National S J Res 6 Ergonomics Regulations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (223 - 206)
Oct. 25, 2000 National HR 4811 Foreign Operations FY 2001 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (307 - 101)
Sept. 26, 2000 National HR 5175 Small Business Superfund Exemption Bill Failed - House (253 - 161)
Sept. 13, 2000 National HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158)
Sept. 7, 2000 National HR 8 Estate Tax Elimination Act of 2000 Veto Override Failed - House (274 - 157)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/16 HR 2122 Project BioShield Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (421 - 2)
7/14 HR 2673 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Bill Passed - House (347 - 64)
7/10 HR 2660 Department of Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (215 - 208)
7/09 HR 2657 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill Bill Passed - House (394 - 26)
7/09 HR 438 Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers Bill Passed - House (417 - 7)
7/09 HR 2211 Ready to Teach Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (404 - 17)
7/08 HR 2658 Terrorism Information Awareness bill Bill Passed - House (399 - 19)
6/27 HR 1 Medicare Prescription Drug bill Bill Passed - House (216 - 215)
6/24 HR 2555 Homeland Security Appropriations, FY 2004 bill Bill Passed - House (425 - 2)
6/19 HR 660 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (262 - 162)
6/19 HR 1528 Taxpayer Protection and IRS Accountability Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
6/11 HR 2350 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (406 - 6)
6/10 HR 2143 Unlawful Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act Bill Passed - House (319 - 104)
6/04 HR 760 Prohibit Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Bill Passed - House (282 - 139)
6/03 H J Res 4 Flag Burning Resolution Bill Passed - House (300 - 125)
5/23 HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - House (231 - 200)
5/22 HR 1588 Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill Bill Passed - House (361 - 68)
5/20 HR 1904 Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (256 - 170)
5/01 HR 1298 AIDS Assistance bill Bill Passed - House (375 - 41)
4/30 HR 1350 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 171)
4/11 H Con Res 95 Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 211)
4/11 HR 6 Energy Omnibus bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 175)
4/10 S 151 Enhance AMBER Alert bill Conference Report Adopted - House (400 - 25)
4/09 HR 1036 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act Bill Passed - House (285 - 140)
4/03 HR 1559 Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 Bill Passed - House (414 - 12)
4/02 HR 743 Social Security Protection Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (396 - 28)
3/31 HR 1463 Vaccine Compensation bill Bill Failed - House (184 - 206)
3/21 H Con Res 95 Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 Resolution Passed - House (215 - 212)
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 HR 4 Welfare Reform bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 192)
1/08 S 23 Unemployment Benefits bill Bill Passed - House (416 - 4)
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)
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)
7/24 H Res 495 Expulsion of Representative James A. Traficant, Jr., D-Ohio Resolution Passed - House (420 - 1)
7/24 HR 5120 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 Bill Passed - House (308 - 121)
7/23 HR 4775 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (397 - 32)
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)
7/10 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)
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)
5/02 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
3/20 H Con Res 353 Budget Resolution, FY 2003 Resolution Passed - House (221 - 209)
2/14 HR 2356 Campaign Reform Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
12/19 HR 2506 Foreign Operations FY2002 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 66)
12/13 S 1438 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (382 - 40)
12/13 HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 41)
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)
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)
11/14 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)
11/01 HR 2311 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (399 - 29)
11/01 HR 2647 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52)
10/31 HR 2590 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (339 - 85)
10/24 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
10/12 HR 2975 Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (337 - 79)
10/11 HR 3061 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Act, 2002 Bill Passed - House (373 - 43)
10/05 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - House (291 - 120)
9/21 HR 2926 Airline Industry Financial Assistance bill Bill Passed - House (356 - 54)
9/14 H J Res 64 Authorization for Use of Military Force Joint Resolution Passed - House (420 - 1)
8/02 H Amdt 303 Amendment to the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 213)
8/02 HR 4 Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (240 - 189)
8/02 HR 2563 Bipartisan Patient Protection Act Bill Passed - House (226 - 203)
8/01 H Amdt 298 Prohibiting Oil Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 223)
8/01 H Amdt 288 Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (160 - 269)
7/31 H Amdt 285 Human Cloning Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (178 - 249)
7/31 HR 2505 Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (265 - 162)
7/26 HR 1954 Iran and Libya Sanctions Bill Passed - House (409 - 6)
7/25 H Amdt 241 Substitute Amendment to Treasury Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2002 Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 186)
7/25 HR 2590 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act 2002 Bill Passed - House (334 - 94)
7/20 HR 2216 2001 Supplemental Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (375 - 30)
7/19 H Amdt 200 Community Solutions Act Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (168 - 261)
7/19 H J Res 50 China Trade Relations bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (169 - 259)
7/19 HR 7 Community Solutions Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (233 - 198)
7/18 HR 2500 Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations, FY 2002 Bill Passed - House (408 - 19)
7/17 H J Res 36 Flag Burning Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (298 - 125)
5/26 HR 1836 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001 Conference Report Adopted - House (240 - 154)
5/23 HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (384 - 45)
5/16 HR 1836 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, 2001 Bill Passed - House (230 - 197)
5/09 H Con Res 83 Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 207)
4/26 H Amdt 27 Violence Against Fetuses/Unborn Children Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 229)
4/26 HR 503 Unborn Victims of Violence Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 172)
3/07 S J Res 6 Ergonomics Regulations Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (223 - 206)
10/25 HR 4811 Foreign Operations FY 2001 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (307 - 101)
9/26 HR 5175 Small Business Superfund Exemption Bill Failed - House (253 - 161)
9/13 HR 4810 Marriage Tax Relief Bill Veto Override Failed - House (270 - 158)
9/07 HR 8 Estate Tax Elimination Act of 2000 Veto Override Failed - House (274 - 157)

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