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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 17, 1997 | National | HR 2378 | Appropriations bill FY98, Treasury, Postal Service | Bill Passed - House (231 - 192) |
| July 31, 1997 | National | HR 2014 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (389 - 43) |
| July 30, 1997 | National | HR 2015 | Budget Reconciliation bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (346 - 85) |
| July 29, 1997 | National | HR 2266 | Defense Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (322 - 105) |
| July 28, 1997 | National | HR 2209 | FY 1998 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (214 - 203) |
| July 24, 1997 | National | HR 2160 | Agriculture FY98 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (392 - 32) |
| July 15, 1997 | National | HR 2107 | Interior Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (238 - 192) |
| June 26, 1997 | National | HR 2014 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Bill Passed - House (253 - 179) |
| June 25, 1997 | National | HR 2015 | Budget Reconciliation bill | Bill Passed - House (270 - 162) |
| June 12, 1997 | National | HR 1871 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (348 - 74) |
| June 5, 1997 | National | HR 1469 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (220 - 201) |
| June 5, 1997 | National | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Conference Report Adopted - House (327 - 97) |
| May 21, 1997 | National | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Resolution Passed - House (333 - 99) |
| May 15, 1997 | National | HR 1469 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (244 - 178) |
| March 12, 1997 | National | H Res 89 | Balanced Budget Request resolution | Resolution Passed - House (231 - 197) |
| Sept. 28, 1996 | National | HR 3610 | Omnibus FY97 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 37) |
| Sept. 24, 1996 | National | HR 3666 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY97 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (388 - 25) |
| Sept. 12, 1996 | National | HR 3816 | Appropriations bill FY97, Energy and Water Development | Conference Report Adopted - House (383 - 29) |
| Aug. 2, 1996 | National | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (354 - 72) |
| July 25, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1360 | Renewable Energy Research Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (279 - 135) |
| July 25, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1359 | Energy Research Appropriation Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 211) |
| July 24, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1356 | Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 236) |
| June 26, 1996 | National | HR 3666 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY97 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (269 - 147) |
| June 20, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1183 | Forest Service Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (211 - 211) |
| June 13, 1996 | National | HR 3610 | Defense Department FY97 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (278 - 126) |
| June 12, 1996 | National | H Con Res 178 | Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 211) |
| May 22, 1996 | National | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Bill Passed - House (414 - 10) |
| May 21, 1996 | National | HR 3415 | Repeal Gas Tax bill | Bill Passed - House (301 - 108) |
| May 16, 1996 | National | H Con Res 178 | Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution | Resolution Passed - House (226 - 195) |
| April 30, 1996 | National | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Veto Override Failed - House (234 - 188) |
| April 25, 1996 | National | HR 3019 | Appropriations bill FY96, Omnibus | Conference Report Adopted - House (399 - 25) |
| April 17, 1996 | National | HR 842 | Truth in Budgeting Act | Bill Passed - House (284 - 143) |
| March 12, 1996 | National | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - House (226 - 172) |
| March 7, 1996 | National | HR 3019 | Appropriations bill FY96, Omnibus | Bill Passed - House (209 - 206) |
| Jan. 4, 1996 | National | HR 1977 | 1996 Interior Appropriations | Veto Override Failed - House (239 - 177) |
| Dec. 21, 1995 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 178) |
| Dec. 13, 1995 | National | HR 1977 | Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 181) |
| Dec. 7, 1995 | National | HR 2099 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (227 - 190) |
| Dec. 6, 1995 | National | HR 2076 | Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State | Conference Report Adopted - House (256 - 166) |
| Nov. 16, 1995 | National | H J Res 122 | Continuing Appropriation Bill | Bill Passed - House (277 - 151) |
| Nov. 15, 1995 | National | HR 2020 | Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52) |
| Nov. 2, 1995 | National | HR 2546 | Appropriations Bill FY 96, District of Columbia | Bill Passed - House (224 - 191) |
| Oct. 31, 1995 | National | HR 1868 | Appropriations bill, FY96, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - House (351 - 71) |
| Oct. 31, 1995 | National | HR 2492 | Appropriations Bill FY96, Legislative Branch | Bill Passed - House (315 - 106) |
| Oct. 26, 1995 | National | HR 2491 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Bill Passed - House (227 - 203) |
| Oct. 12, 1995 | National | HR 1976 | Appropriations bill FY96, Agriculture | Conference Report Adopted - House (288 - 132) |
| Oct. 12, 1995 | National | HR 2405 | Omnibus Civilian Science Authorization Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (248 - 161) |
| Sept. 20, 1995 | National | H Amdt 814 | Drinking and Driving Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 203) |
| Aug. 4, 1995 | National | HR 2127 | Appropriations bill FY96, Labor, HHS, Education | Bill Passed - House (219 - 208) |
| Aug. 3, 1995 | National | H Amdt 725 | Corporation for Public Broadcasting Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (136 - 286) |
| July 31, 1995 | National | HR 2099 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (228 - 193) |
| July 26, 1995 | National | HR 2076 | Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State | Bill Passed - House (272 - 151) |
| 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 | HR 1868 | Appropriations bill, FY96, Foreign Relations | Bill Passed - House (333 - 89) |
| June 29, 1995 | National | H Con Res 67 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 194) |
| June 29, 1995 | National | HR 1944 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions | Bill Passed - House (276 - 151) |
| June 8, 1995 | National | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Bill Passed - House (222 - 192) |
| 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) |
| April 5, 1995 | National | HR 1215 | Contract With America Tax Relief Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (246 - 188) |
| March 24, 1995 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (234 - 199) |
| March 16, 1995 | National | HR 1158 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions | Bill Passed - House (227 - 200) |
| Feb. 14, 1995 | National | HR 728 | Anti-Crime bill | Bill Passed - House (238 - 192) |
| Jan. 26, 1995 | National | H J Res 1 | Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - House (300 - 132) |
| 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. 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. 21, 1994 | National | HR 3355 | Omnibus Crime Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 195) |
| Aug. 18, 1994 | National | HR 4603 | Appropriations Bill FY95, Commerce, Justice, State | Conference Report Adopted - House (322 - 98) |
| Aug. 10, 1994 | National | HR 4506 | Appropriations Bill FY95, Energy and Water Development | Conference Report Adopted - House (393 - 34) |
| Aug. 4, 1994 | National | HR 4426 | Foreign Operations FY95 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (341 - 85) |
| July 21, 1994 | National | H Amdt 771 | Limiting Entitlement Program Expenditures | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/17 | HR 2378 | Appropriations bill FY98, Treasury, Postal Service | Bill Passed - House (231 - 192) |
| 7/31 | HR 2014 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (389 - 43) |
| 7/30 | HR 2015 | Budget Reconciliation bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (346 - 85) |
| 7/29 | HR 2266 | Defense Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (322 - 105) |
| 7/28 | HR 2209 | FY 1998 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (214 - 203) |
| 7/24 | HR 2160 | Agriculture FY98 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (392 - 32) |
| 7/15 | HR 2107 | Interior Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (238 - 192) |
| 6/26 | HR 2014 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Bill Passed - House (253 - 179) |
| 6/25 | HR 2015 | Budget Reconciliation bill | Bill Passed - House (270 - 162) |
| 6/12 | HR 1871 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (348 - 74) |
| 6/05 | HR 1469 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (220 - 201) |
| 6/05 | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Conference Report Adopted - House (327 - 97) |
| 5/21 | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Resolution Passed - House (333 - 99) |
| 5/15 | HR 1469 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (244 - 178) |
| 3/12 | H Res 89 | Balanced Budget Request resolution | Resolution Passed - House (231 - 197) |
| 9/28 | HR 3610 | Omnibus FY97 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (370 - 37) |
| 9/24 | HR 3666 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY97 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (388 - 25) |
| 9/12 | HR 3816 | Appropriations bill FY97, Energy and Water Development | Conference Report Adopted - House (383 - 29) |
| 8/02 | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (354 - 72) |
| 7/25 | H Amdt 1360 | Renewable Energy Research Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (279 - 135) |
| 7/25 | H Amdt 1359 | Energy Research Appropriation Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 211) |
| 7/24 | H Amdt 1356 | Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 236) |
| 6/26 | HR 3666 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY97 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (269 - 147) |
| 6/20 | H Amdt 1183 | Forest Service Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (211 - 211) |
| 6/13 | HR 3610 | Defense Department FY97 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (278 - 126) |
| 6/12 | H Con Res 178 | Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 211) |
| 5/22 | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Bill Passed - House (414 - 10) |
| 5/21 | HR 3415 | Repeal Gas Tax bill | Bill Passed - House (301 - 108) |
| 5/16 | H Con Res 178 | Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution | Resolution Passed - House (226 - 195) |
| 4/30 | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Veto Override Failed - House (234 - 188) |
| 4/25 | HR 3019 | Appropriations bill FY96, Omnibus | Conference Report Adopted - House (399 - 25) |
| 4/17 | HR 842 | Truth in Budgeting Act | Bill Passed - House (284 - 143) |
| 3/12 | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - House (226 - 172) |
| 3/07 | HR 3019 | Appropriations bill FY96, Omnibus | Bill Passed - House (209 - 206) |
| 1/04 | HR 1977 | 1996 Interior Appropriations | Veto Override Failed - House (239 - 177) |
| 12/21 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 178) |
| 12/13 | HR 1977 | Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 181) |
| 12/07 | HR 2099 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (227 - 190) |
| 12/06 | HR 2076 | Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State | Conference Report Adopted - House (256 - 166) |
| 11/16 | H J Res 122 | Continuing Appropriation Bill | Bill Passed - House (277 - 151) |
| 11/15 | HR 2020 | Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52) |
| 11/02 | HR 2546 | Appropriations Bill FY 96, District of Columbia | Bill Passed - House (224 - 191) |
| 10/31 | HR 1868 | Appropriations bill, FY96, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - House (351 - 71) |
| 10/31 | HR 2492 | Appropriations Bill FY96, Legislative Branch | Bill Passed - House (315 - 106) |
| 10/26 | HR 2491 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Bill Passed - House (227 - 203) |
| 10/12 | HR 1976 | Appropriations bill FY96, Agriculture | Conference Report Adopted - House (288 - 132) |
| 10/12 | HR 2405 | Omnibus Civilian Science Authorization Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (248 - 161) |
| 9/20 | H Amdt 814 | Drinking and Driving Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 203) |
| 8/04 | HR 2127 | Appropriations bill FY96, Labor, HHS, Education | Bill Passed - House (219 - 208) |
| 8/03 | H Amdt 725 | Corporation for Public Broadcasting Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (136 - 286) |
| 7/31 | HR 2099 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (228 - 193) |
| 7/26 | HR 2076 | Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State | Bill Passed - House (272 - 151) |
| 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 | HR 1868 | Appropriations bill, FY96, Foreign Relations | Bill Passed - House (333 - 89) |
| 6/29 | H Con Res 67 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 194) |
| 6/29 | HR 1944 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions | Bill Passed - House (276 - 151) |
| 6/08 | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Bill Passed - House (222 - 192) |
| 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) |
| 4/05 | HR 1215 | Contract With America Tax Relief Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (246 - 188) |
| 3/24 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (234 - 199) |
| 3/16 | HR 1158 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions | Bill Passed - House (227 - 200) |
| 2/14 | HR 728 | Anti-Crime bill | Bill Passed - House (238 - 192) |
| 1/26 | H J Res 1 | Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - House (300 - 132) |
| 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) |
| 9/12 | HR 4624 | Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development | Conference Report Adopted - House (313 - 61) |
| 8/21 | HR 3355 | Omnibus Crime Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (235 - 195) |
| 8/18 | HR 4603 | Appropriations Bill FY95, Commerce, Justice, State | Conference Report Adopted - House (322 - 98) |
| 8/10 | HR 4506 | Appropriations Bill FY95, Energy and Water Development | Conference Report Adopted - House (393 - 34) |
| 8/04 | HR 4426 | Foreign Operations FY95 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (341 - 85) |
| 7/21 | H Amdt 771 | Limiting Entitlement Program Expenditures | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |