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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 13, 2000 | National | S Amdt 3821 | Estate Tax Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53) |
| April 13, 2000 | National | H Con Res 290 | Congressional Budget resolution FY 2001 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
| April 7, 2000 | National | H Con Res 290 | Congressional Budget resolution FY 2001 | Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 45) |
| Feb. 3, 2000 | National | PN 729 | Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve Chairman | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (89 - 4) |
| Feb. 2, 2000 | National | HR 833 | Bankruptcy Reform bill | Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 14) |
| Nov. 19, 1999 | National | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 24) |
| Nov. 2, 1999 | National | HR 3064 | DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48) |
| Oct. 15, 1999 | National | HR 2684 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| Oct. 13, 1999 | National | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26) |
| Oct. 6, 1999 | National | HR 2606 | Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 49) |
| Oct. 4, 1999 | National | HR 2084 | Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 3) |
| Sept. 28, 1999 | National | HR 2605 | Energy FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 3) |
| Sept. 23, 1999 | National | HR 2466 | Interior Department FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10) |
| Sept. 22, 1999 | National | S 1059 | FY 2000 Defense Authorization | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| Sept. 16, 1999 | National | HR 2587 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 39) |
| Sept. 16, 1999 | National | HR 2490 | Appropriations bill FY2000, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 38) |
| Aug. 5, 1999 | National | HR 2488 | Financial Freedom Act of 1999 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 49) |
| July 30, 1999 | National | S 1429 | Taxpayer Refund Act of 1999 | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 43) |
| June 30, 1999 | National | S 1234 | Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| June 16, 1999 | National | HR 1905 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4) |
| June 16, 1999 | National | S 1205 | Military Construction FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| May 27, 1999 | National | S 1059 | FY 2000 Defense Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3) |
| May 20, 1999 | National | HR 1141 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations-Conference Report | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 36) |
| May 6, 1999 | National | S 900 | Financial Services Modernization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44) |
| April 15, 1999 | National | H Con Res 68 | Congressional Budget Resolution, FY 2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| March 25, 1999 | National | S Amdt 178 | Agricultural Appropriations Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 45) |
| March 25, 1999 | National | H Con Res 68 | Congressional Budget Resolution, FY 2000 | Resolution Passed - Senate (55 - 44) |
| Oct. 21, 1998 | National | HR 4328 | Appropriations bill FY99, Omnibus | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 29) |
| Oct. 8, 1998 | National | HR 4194 | FY 1999 VA-HUD Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 1) |
| Oct. 8, 1998 | National | S 442 | Internet Tax Freedom bill | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2) |
| Oct. 6, 1998 | National | HR 4101 | Agriculture FY99 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 43) |
| Sept. 29, 1998 | National | HR 6 | Higher Education Programs Authorization Extension bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 0) |
| Sept. 3, 1998 | National | HR 4104 | Appropriations bill FY99, Treasury, Postal Service | Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 5) |
| July 29, 1998 | National | S Amdt 3359 | Married Tax Filing Amendment | Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (48 - 51) |
| July 21, 1998 | National | HR 4112 | Legislative Branch FY99 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
| July 9, 1998 | National | HR 6 | Higher Education Programs Authorization Extension bill | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
| May 22, 1998 | National | HR 2400 | Transportation Reauthorization bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5) |
| April 30, 1998 | National | HR 3579 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 11) |
| April 28, 1998 | National | HR 1757 | State Department FY98-99 Authorization bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 49) |
| April 2, 1998 | National | S Con Res 86 | Budget Resolution FY99 | Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 41) |
| March 12, 1998 | National | S Amdt 1676 | Intermodal Transportation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (96 - 4) |
| Nov. 8, 1997 | National | HR 2264 | Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4) |
| Oct. 28, 1997 | National | HR 2107 | Interior Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (84 - 14) |
| Oct. 1, 1997 | National | HR 2378 | Appropriations bill FY98, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 45) |
| Sept. 25, 1997 | National | HR 2266 | Defense Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| Sept. 11, 1997 | National | S Amdt 1122 | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (49 - 51) |
| July 31, 1997 | National | HR 2014 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8) |
| July 31, 1997 | National | HR 2015 | Budget Reconciliation bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 15) |
| June 26, 1997 | National | S Amdt 527 | Family Tax Relief Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61) |
| June 12, 1997 | National | HR 1871 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 21) |
| June 5, 1997 | National | HR 1469 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (67 - 31) |
| June 5, 1997 | National | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
| May 23, 1997 | National | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| May 22, 1997 | National | S Amdt 301 | Budget Deficit Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47) |
| March 4, 1997 | National | S J Res 1 | Balanced Budget amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (66 - 34) |
| Sept. 17, 1996 | National | HR 3816 | Appropriations bill FY97, Energy and Water Development | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8) |
| Aug. 2, 1996 | National | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
| July 9, 1996 | National | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24) |
| June 20, 1996 | National | PN 953 | Alice M. Rivlin, Federal Reserve Vice-Chair | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 41) |
| June 20, 1996 | National | PN 951 | Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve Chairman | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (91 - 7) |
| June 13, 1996 | National | H Con Res 178 | Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
| June 6, 1996 | National | H J Res 1 | Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (64 - 35) |
| April 25, 1996 | National | HR 3019 | Appropriations bill FY96, Omnibus | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 11) |
| March 28, 1996 | National | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 44) |
| March 19, 1996 | National | HR 3019 | Appropriations bill FY96, Omnibus | Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 21) |
| Dec. 22, 1995 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Dec. 14, 1995 | National | HR 2099 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| Dec. 14, 1995 | National | HR 1977 | Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (58 - 40) |
| Dec. 14, 1995 | National | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 16) |
| Dec. 7, 1995 | National | HR 2076 | Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
| Nov. 16, 1995 | National | H J Res 122 | Continuing Appropriation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 37) |
| Nov. 15, 1995 | National | HR 2020 | Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 35) |
| Nov. 1, 1995 | National | HR 1868 | Appropriations bill, FY96, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (90 - 6) |
| Oct. 28, 1995 | National | HR 2491 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
| Sept. 19, 1995 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/13 | S Amdt 3821 | Estate Tax Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53) |
| 4/13 | H Con Res 290 | Congressional Budget resolution FY 2001 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
| 4/07 | H Con Res 290 | Congressional Budget resolution FY 2001 | Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 45) |
| 2/03 | PN 729 | Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve Chairman | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (89 - 4) |
| 2/02 | HR 833 | Bankruptcy Reform bill | Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 14) |
| 11/19 | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 24) |
| 11/02 | HR 3064 | DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48) |
| 10/15 | HR 2684 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations bill, FY 2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| 10/13 | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26) |
| 10/06 | HR 2606 | Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 49) |
| 10/04 | HR 2084 | Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 3) |
| 9/28 | HR 2605 | Energy FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 3) |
| 9/23 | HR 2466 | Interior Department FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 10) |
| 9/22 | S 1059 | FY 2000 Defense Authorization | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| 9/16 | HR 2587 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 39) |
| 9/16 | HR 2490 | Appropriations bill FY2000, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 38) |
| 8/05 | HR 2488 | Financial Freedom Act of 1999 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 49) |
| 7/30 | S 1429 | Taxpayer Refund Act of 1999 | Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 43) |
| 6/30 | S 1234 | Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| 6/16 | HR 1905 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 4) |
| 6/16 | S 1205 | Military Construction FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
| 5/27 | S 1059 | FY 2000 Defense Authorization | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3) |
| 5/20 | HR 1141 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations-Conference Report | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 36) |
| 5/06 | S 900 | Financial Services Modernization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44) |
| 4/15 | H Con Res 68 | Congressional Budget Resolution, FY 2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| 3/25 | S Amdt 178 | Agricultural Appropriations Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 45) |
| 3/25 | H Con Res 68 | Congressional Budget Resolution, FY 2000 | Resolution Passed - Senate (55 - 44) |
| 10/21 | HR 4328 | Appropriations bill FY99, Omnibus | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 29) |
| 10/08 | HR 4194 | FY 1999 VA-HUD Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 1) |
| 10/08 | S 442 | Internet Tax Freedom bill | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2) |
| 10/06 | HR 4101 | Agriculture FY99 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 43) |
| 9/29 | HR 6 | Higher Education Programs Authorization Extension bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 0) |
| 9/03 | HR 4104 | Appropriations bill FY99, Treasury, Postal Service | Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 5) |
| 7/29 | S Amdt 3359 | Married Tax Filing Amendment | Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (48 - 51) |
| 7/21 | HR 4112 | Legislative Branch FY99 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
| 7/09 | HR 6 | Higher Education Programs Authorization Extension bill | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
| 5/22 | HR 2400 | Transportation Reauthorization bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5) |
| 4/30 | HR 3579 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 11) |
| 4/28 | HR 1757 | State Department FY98-99 Authorization bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 49) |
| 4/02 | S Con Res 86 | Budget Resolution FY99 | Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 41) |
| 3/12 | S Amdt 1676 | Intermodal Transportation Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (96 - 4) |
| 11/08 | HR 2264 | Appropriations bill FY98, Labor, HHS, Education | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4) |
| 10/28 | HR 2107 | Interior Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (84 - 14) |
| 10/01 | HR 2378 | Appropriations bill FY98, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 45) |
| 9/25 | HR 2266 | Defense Department FY98 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 5) |
| 9/11 | S Amdt 1122 | Education Funding Amendment | Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (49 - 51) |
| 7/31 | HR 2014 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8) |
| 7/31 | HR 2015 | Budget Reconciliation bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 15) |
| 6/26 | S Amdt 527 | Family Tax Relief Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61) |
| 6/12 | HR 1871 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 21) |
| 6/05 | HR 1469 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (67 - 31) |
| 6/05 | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
| 5/23 | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
| 5/22 | S Amdt 301 | Budget Deficit Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 3/04 | S J Res 1 | Balanced Budget amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (66 - 34) |
| 9/17 | HR 3816 | Appropriations bill FY97, Energy and Water Development | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8) |
| 8/02 | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
| 7/09 | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24) |
| 6/20 | PN 953 | Alice M. Rivlin, Federal Reserve Vice-Chair | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (57 - 41) |
| 6/20 | PN 951 | Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve Chairman | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (91 - 7) |
| 6/13 | H Con Res 178 | Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
| 6/06 | H J Res 1 | Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (64 - 35) |
| 4/25 | HR 3019 | Appropriations bill FY96, Omnibus | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 11) |
| 3/28 | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 44) |
| 3/19 | HR 3019 | Appropriations bill FY96, Omnibus | Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 21) |
| 12/22 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 12/14 | HR 2099 | Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| 12/14 | HR 1977 | Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (58 - 40) |
| 12/14 | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 16) |
| 12/07 | HR 2076 | Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
| 11/16 | H J Res 122 | Continuing Appropriation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 37) |
| 11/15 | HR 2020 | Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 35) |
| 11/01 | HR 1868 | Appropriations bill, FY96, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (90 - 6) |
| 10/28 | HR 2491 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 9/19 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12) |