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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 18, 1996 | National | S 735 | Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 133) |
| March 29, 1996 | National | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 158) |
| March 21, 1996 | National | HR 2202 | Immigration Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (333 - 87) |
| March 20, 1996 | National | H Amdt 974 | Immigrant English Proficiency Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (210 - 207) |
| March 20, 1996 | National | H Amdt 968 | Immigrant Public Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (151 - 269) |
| March 20, 1996 | National | H Amdt 969 | Denying Public Education to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (257 - 163) |
| March 20, 1996 | National | H Amdt 968 | Immigrant Public Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (151 - 269) |
| March 7, 1996 | National | H Amdt 946 | Medicaid Funded Abortions Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 222) |
| Jan. 24, 1996 | National | S 1124 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Conference Report Adopted - House (287 - 129) |
| Jan. 4, 1996 | National | HR 1977 | 1996 Interior Appropriations | Veto Override Failed - House (239 - 177) |
| Jan. 3, 1996 | National | HR 1530 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Veto Override Passed - House (240 - 156) |
| Dec. 21, 1995 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 178) |
| Dec. 21, 1995 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 178) |
| Dec. 15, 1995 | National | HR 1530 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Conference Report Adopted - House (267 - 149) |
| Dec. 13, 1995 | National | HR 1977 | Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 181) |
| Nov. 29, 1995 | National | HR 2564 | Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (421 - 0) |
| Nov. 28, 1995 | National | H Amdt 903 | Prohibit Federal Funds for Lobbying Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 238) |
| Nov. 15, 1995 | National | HR 2020 | Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52) |
| Nov. 1, 1995 | National | H Amdt 890 | Domestic Partners Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (249 - 172) |
| Oct. 31, 1995 | National | HR 2492 | Appropriations Bill FY96, Legislative Branch | Bill Passed - House (315 - 106) |
| Oct. 19, 1995 | National | HR 2425 | Medicare Preservation Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (231 - 201) |
| Sept. 27, 1995 | National | HR 743 | Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (221 - 202) |
| Sept. 7, 1995 | National | H Amdt 752 | Overseas Military Abortions | Amendment Adopted - House (226 - 191) |
| 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) |
| June 15, 1995 | National | HR 1530 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Bill Passed - House (300 - 126) |
| May 24, 1995 | National | H Amdt 403 | Foreign Abortion Ban Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 181) |
| March 29, 1995 | National | H J Res 73 | Term Limits bill | Joint Resolution Failed - House (227 - 204) |
| March 24, 1995 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (234 - 199) |
| March 24, 1995 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (234 - 199) |
| Feb. 6, 1995 | National | HR 2 | Line Item Veto Act | Bill Passed - House (294 - 134) |
| Sept. 29, 1994 | National | HR 4650 | Defense FY95 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (327 - 86) |
| 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. 17, 1994 | National | S 2182 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 | Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 137) |
| July 22, 1994 | National | H Amdt 778 | Prohibiting Benefits to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 176) |
| July 22, 1994 | National | H Amdt 778 | Prohibiting Benefits to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 176) |
| July 21, 1994 | National | H Amdt 771 | Limiting Entitlement Program Expenditures | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |
| June 29, 1994 | National | HR 4624 | Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development | Bill Passed - House (344 - 84) |
| June 29, 1994 | National | HR 4650 | Defense FY95 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (330 - 91) |
| June 9, 1994 | National | H Amdt 611 | Lifting Arms Embargo on Bosnia Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (244 - 178) |
| May 26, 1994 | National | HR 4454 | Legislative Branch FY95 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (210 - 205) |
| May 23, 1994 | National | H Amdt 570 | Ending Requirement for Selective Service Registration | Amendment Rejected - House (125 - 273) |
| March 24, 1994 | National | H Amdt 491 | Homosexuality Education Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 194) |
| Feb. 10, 1994 | National | H Amdt 436 | Bryant Amendment to Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 1993 | Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 188) |
| Nov. 22, 1993 | National | H Amdt 416 | Penny Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 | Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219) |
| Oct. 19, 1993 | National | HR 2491 | Veterans Administration and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill Fiscal Year 1994 | Conference Report Adopted - House (341 - 89) |
| Oct. 7, 1993 | National | HR 2518 | Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (311 - 115) |
| Oct. 7, 1993 | National | HR 2518 | Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (311 - 115) |
| Sept. 30, 1993 | National | HR 3116 | Defense Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (325 - 102) |
| Sept. 29, 1993 | National | H Amdt 318 | "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (295 - 133) |
| Sept. 29, 1993 | National | H Amdt 318 | "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (295 - 133) |
| Sept. 29, 1993 | National | HR 2401 | Fiscal Year 1994 Defense Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - House (268 - 162) |
| Sept. 29, 1993 | National | HR 2401 | Fiscal Year 1994 Defense Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - House (268 - 162) |
| Aug. 6, 1993 | National | HR 2010 | National Service Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (275 - 152) |
| July 28, 1993 | National | HR 2010 | National Service Bill | Bill Passed - House (275 - 152) |
| July 15, 1993 | National | HR 2520 | Interior Department Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (278 - 138) |
| June 30, 1993 | National | H Amdt 188 | DC's Domestic Partners Ordinance | Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 167) |
| June 30, 1993 | National | HR 2518 | Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (305 - 124) |
| June 30, 1993 | National | HR 2518 | Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (305 - 124) |
| June 29, 1993 | National | HR 2491 | Veterans Administration and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill Fiscal Year 1994 | Bill Passed - House (313 - 110) |
| June 28, 1993 | National | H Amdt 151 | Selective Service Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 207) |
| June 15, 1993 | National | HR 5 | Cesar Chavez Workplace Fairness Act | Bill Passed - House (239 - 190) |
| June 10, 1993 | National | HR 2348 | Legislative Branch FY94 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (224 - 187) |
| May 19, 1993 | National | H Amdt 62 | Citizens/Legal Residents Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (288 - 127) |
| March 25, 1993 | National | HR 670 | Abortion Counseling Bill | Motion Rejected - House (179 - 243) |
| March 25, 1993 | National | HR 670 | Abortion Counseling Bill | Bill Passed - House (273 - 149) |
| Feb. 4, 1993 | National | H Res 71 | Agreeing to Family and Medical Leave Bill | Resolution Passed - House (247 - 152) |
| Feb. 4, 1993 | National | H Res 71 | Agreeing to Family and Medical Leave Bill | Resolution Passed - House (247 - 152) |
| Feb. 3, 1993 | National | HR 1 | Family & Medical Leave Bill | Bill Passed - House (265 - 163) |
| Sept. 30, 1992 | National | HR 5318 | Conditional Extension of Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status to China | Veto Override Passed - House (345 - 74) |
| July 21, 1992 | National | HR 5318 | Conditional Extension of Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status to China | Bill Passed - House (339 - 62) |
| April 29, 1992 | National | H Res 441 | House Bank Records - Comply with Subpoena | Resolution Passed - House (347 - 64) |
| April 9, 1992 | National | H Res 423 | House Administrative Reforms | Resolution Passed - House (269 - 81) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/18 | S 735 | Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 133) |
| 3/29 | HR 956 | Product Liability bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 158) |
| 3/21 | HR 2202 | Immigration Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (333 - 87) |
| 3/20 | H Amdt 974 | Immigrant English Proficiency Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (210 - 207) |
| 3/20 | H Amdt 968 | Immigrant Public Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (151 - 269) |
| 3/20 | H Amdt 969 | Denying Public Education to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (257 - 163) |
| 3/20 | H Amdt 968 | Immigrant Public Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (151 - 269) |
| 3/07 | H Amdt 946 | Medicaid Funded Abortions Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 222) |
| 1/24 | S 1124 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Conference Report Adopted - House (287 - 129) |
| 1/04 | HR 1977 | 1996 Interior Appropriations | Veto Override Failed - House (239 - 177) |
| 1/03 | HR 1530 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Veto Override Passed - House (240 - 156) |
| 12/21 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 178) |
| 12/21 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (245 - 178) |
| 12/15 | HR 1530 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Conference Report Adopted - House (267 - 149) |
| 12/13 | HR 1977 | Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 181) |
| 11/29 | HR 2564 | Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (421 - 0) |
| 11/28 | H Amdt 903 | Prohibit Federal Funds for Lobbying Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 238) |
| 11/15 | HR 2020 | Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service | Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52) |
| 11/01 | H Amdt 890 | Domestic Partners Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (249 - 172) |
| 10/31 | HR 2492 | Appropriations Bill FY96, Legislative Branch | Bill Passed - House (315 - 106) |
| 10/19 | HR 2425 | Medicare Preservation Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (231 - 201) |
| 9/27 | HR 743 | Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (221 - 202) |
| 9/07 | H Amdt 752 | Overseas Military Abortions | Amendment Adopted - House (226 - 191) |
| 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) |
| 6/15 | HR 1530 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Bill Passed - House (300 - 126) |
| 5/24 | H Amdt 403 | Foreign Abortion Ban Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 181) |
| 3/29 | H J Res 73 | Term Limits bill | Joint Resolution Failed - House (227 - 204) |
| 3/24 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (234 - 199) |
| 3/24 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (234 - 199) |
| 2/06 | HR 2 | Line Item Veto Act | Bill Passed - House (294 - 134) |
| 9/29 | HR 4650 | Defense FY95 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (327 - 86) |
| 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) |
| 8/17 | S 2182 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 | Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 137) |
| 7/22 | H Amdt 778 | Prohibiting Benefits to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 176) |
| 7/22 | H Amdt 778 | Prohibiting Benefits to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 176) |
| 7/21 | H Amdt 771 | Limiting Entitlement Program Expenditures | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |
| 6/29 | HR 4624 | Fiscal Year 1995 Appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development | Bill Passed - House (344 - 84) |
| 6/29 | HR 4650 | Defense FY95 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (330 - 91) |
| 6/09 | H Amdt 611 | Lifting Arms Embargo on Bosnia Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (244 - 178) |
| 5/26 | HR 4454 | Legislative Branch FY95 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (210 - 205) |
| 5/23 | H Amdt 570 | Ending Requirement for Selective Service Registration | Amendment Rejected - House (125 - 273) |
| 3/24 | H Amdt 491 | Homosexuality Education Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 194) |
| 2/10 | H Amdt 436 | Bryant Amendment to Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 1993 | Amendment Adopted - House (230 - 188) |
| 11/22 | H Amdt 416 | Penny Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 | Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219) |
| 10/19 | HR 2491 | Veterans Administration and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill Fiscal Year 1994 | Conference Report Adopted - House (341 - 89) |
| 10/07 | HR 2518 | Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (311 - 115) |
| 10/07 | HR 2518 | Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (311 - 115) |
| 9/30 | HR 3116 | Defense Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (325 - 102) |
| 9/29 | H Amdt 318 | "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (295 - 133) |
| 9/29 | H Amdt 318 | "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (295 - 133) |
| 9/29 | HR 2401 | Fiscal Year 1994 Defense Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - House (268 - 162) |
| 9/29 | HR 2401 | Fiscal Year 1994 Defense Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - House (268 - 162) |
| 8/06 | HR 2010 | National Service Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (275 - 152) |
| 7/28 | HR 2010 | National Service Bill | Bill Passed - House (275 - 152) |
| 7/15 | HR 2520 | Interior Department Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (278 - 138) |
| 6/30 | H Amdt 188 | DC's Domestic Partners Ordinance | Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 167) |
| 6/30 | HR 2518 | Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (305 - 124) |
| 6/30 | HR 2518 | Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (305 - 124) |
| 6/29 | HR 2491 | Veterans Administration and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill Fiscal Year 1994 | Bill Passed - House (313 - 110) |
| 6/28 | H Amdt 151 | Selective Service Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 207) |
| 6/15 | HR 5 | Cesar Chavez Workplace Fairness Act | Bill Passed - House (239 - 190) |
| 6/10 | HR 2348 | Legislative Branch FY94 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (224 - 187) |
| 5/19 | H Amdt 62 | Citizens/Legal Residents Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (288 - 127) |
| 3/25 | HR 670 | Abortion Counseling Bill | Motion Rejected - House (179 - 243) |
| 3/25 | HR 670 | Abortion Counseling Bill | Bill Passed - House (273 - 149) |
| 2/04 | H Res 71 | Agreeing to Family and Medical Leave Bill | Resolution Passed - House (247 - 152) |
| 2/04 | H Res 71 | Agreeing to Family and Medical Leave Bill | Resolution Passed - House (247 - 152) |
| 2/03 | HR 1 | Family & Medical Leave Bill | Bill Passed - House (265 - 163) |
| 9/30 | HR 5318 | Conditional Extension of Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status to China | Veto Override Passed - House (345 - 74) |
| 7/21 | HR 5318 | Conditional Extension of Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status to China | Bill Passed - House (339 - 62) |
| 4/29 | H Res 441 | House Bank Records - Comply with Subpoena | Resolution Passed - House (347 - 64) |
| 4/09 | H Res 423 | House Administrative Reforms | Resolution Passed - House (269 - 81) |