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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 8, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2430 | National Commission on Detainees Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| Oct. 7, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| Oct. 7, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| Oct. 7, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| Sept. 14, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1670 | Special Committee on Contracts in Afghanistan and Iraq | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
| Sept. 14, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1660 | Congressional Commission on Hurricane Katrina | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| July 28, 2005 | National | HR 3045 | CAFTA Implementation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45) |
| July 26, 2005 | National | S 1042 | Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 48) |
| July 26, 2005 | National | S 1042 | Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 48) |
| July 26, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1351 | Corporate Financing of Terrorism Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| July 26, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1351 | Corporate Financing of Terrorism Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| July 20, 2005 | National | HR 3057 | Foreign Operations FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| July 19, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1241 | US Agency for International Development Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 40) |
| July 14, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1171 | Detention Beds Increase Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 56) |
| July 14, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1222 | Disclosure of Classified Information Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
| July 14, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1171 | Detention Beds Increase Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 56) |
| July 14, 2005 | National | HR 2360 | Homeland Security Department FY 2006 Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
| June 30, 2005 | National | S 1307 | CAFTA Implementation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 45) |
| June 20, 2005 | National | PN 326 | John Bolton, Ambassador to the United Nations | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 38) |
| May 26, 2005 | National | PN 326 | John Bolton, Ambassador to the United Nations | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42) |
| May 10, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| May 10, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| May 10, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| May 10, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| May 10, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
| April 21, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| April 21, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| April 21, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| April 21, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| April 21, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| April 18, 2005 | National | S Amdt 464 | Future Military Funding for Iraq Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 31) |
| March 17, 2005 | National | S Amdt 220 | Homeland Security Grant Program Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 37) |
| March 17, 2005 | National | S Con Res 18 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49) |
| March 10, 2005 | National | S 256 | Bankruptcy Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25) |
| Oct. 11, 2004 | National | HR 4520 | JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17) |
| Oct. 6, 2004 | National | S 2845 | National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2) |
| July 22, 2004 | National | HR 4613 | Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 0) |
| July 22, 2004 | National | HR 4613 | Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 0) |
| June 23, 2004 | National | S 2400 | Military Construction FY2005 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| June 23, 2004 | National | S 2400 | Military Construction FY2005 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| June 23, 2004 | National | S 2400 | Military Construction FY2005 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| May 21, 2004 | National | S Res 356 | Resolution Condemning Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners | Resolution Passed - Senate (92 - 0) |
| May 11, 2004 | National | S 1637 | Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5) |
| Nov. 12, 2003 | National | HR 1588 | Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3) |
| Oct. 17, 2003 | National | S 1689 | Emergency Appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12) |
| Oct. 17, 2003 | National | S 1689 | Emergency Appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12) |
| July 31, 2003 | National | HR 2738 | U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32) |
| July 31, 2003 | National | HR 2739 | U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32) |
| May 22, 2003 | National | S 1050 | Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| May 22, 2003 | National | S 1050 | Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| May 22, 2003 | National | S 1050 | Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| Nov. 19, 2002 | National | HR 5005 | Establishing the Department of Homeland Security | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
| Oct. 16, 2002 | National | HR 5010 | Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 1) |
| Oct. 16, 2002 | National | HR 5010 | Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 1) |
| Oct. 11, 2002 | National | H J Res 114 | Use of Military Force Against Iraq | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (77 - 23) |
| Aug. 1, 2002 | National | HR 3009 | Andean Trade Preference Act Extension | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 34) |
| Aug. 1, 2002 | National | HR 5010 | Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3) |
| Aug. 1, 2002 | National | HR 5010 | Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3) |
| July 31, 2002 | National | S 812 | Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act | Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 21) |
| July 24, 2002 | National | HR 4775 | Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7) |
| July 18, 2002 | National | HR 5011 | Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3) |
| July 18, 2002 | National | HR 5011 | Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3) |
| June 21, 2002 | National | S Amdt 3927 | Military Abortion Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 40) |
| June 18, 2002 | National | S 2600 | Terrorism Insurance Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14) |
| Dec. 13, 2001 | National | S 1438 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2) |
| Dec. 13, 2001 | National | S 1438 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2) |
| Dec. 7, 2001 | National | S Amdt 2336 | International Courts Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 21) |
| Dec. 7, 2001 | National | S Amdt 2336 | International Courts Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 21) |
| Oct. 25, 2001 | National | HR 3162 | USA Patriot Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| Sept. 14, 2001 | National | S J Res 23 | Military Force Authorization | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (98 - 0) |
| Oct. 25, 2000 | National | HR 4811 | Foreign Operations FY 2001 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 27) |
| Oct. 3, 2000 | National | S 2045 | American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act, 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
| Sept. 19, 2000 | National | HR 4444 | U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 15) |
| Sept. 13, 2000 | National | S Amdt 4132 | China Nonproliferation Act | Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 32) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/08 | S Amdt 2430 | National Commission on Detainees Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
| 10/07 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| 10/07 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| 10/07 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| 9/14 | S Amdt 1670 | Special Committee on Contracts in Afghanistan and Iraq | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
| 9/14 | S Amdt 1660 | Congressional Commission on Hurricane Katrina | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| 7/28 | HR 3045 | CAFTA Implementation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 45) |
| 7/26 | S 1042 | Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 48) |
| 7/26 | S 1042 | Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 48) |
| 7/26 | S Amdt 1351 | Corporate Financing of Terrorism Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| 7/26 | S Amdt 1351 | Corporate Financing of Terrorism Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| 7/20 | HR 3057 | Foreign Operations FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| 7/19 | S Amdt 1241 | US Agency for International Development Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 40) |
| 7/14 | S Amdt 1171 | Detention Beds Increase Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 56) |
| 7/14 | S Amdt 1222 | Disclosure of Classified Information Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
| 7/14 | S Amdt 1171 | Detention Beds Increase Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 56) |
| 7/14 | HR 2360 | Homeland Security Department FY 2006 Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
| 6/30 | S 1307 | CAFTA Implementation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 45) |
| 6/20 | PN 326 | John Bolton, Ambassador to the United Nations | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 38) |
| 5/26 | PN 326 | John Bolton, Ambassador to the United Nations | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42) |
| 5/10 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| 5/10 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| 5/10 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| 5/10 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| 5/10 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (100 - 0) |
| 4/28 | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
| 4/21 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| 4/21 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| 4/21 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| 4/21 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| 4/21 | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
| 4/18 | S Amdt 464 | Future Military Funding for Iraq Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 31) |
| 3/17 | S Amdt 220 | Homeland Security Grant Program Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (63 - 37) |
| 3/17 | S Con Res 18 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49) |
| 3/10 | S 256 | Bankruptcy Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25) |
| 10/11 | HR 4520 | JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Strength) | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 17) |
| 10/06 | S 2845 | National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2) |
| 7/22 | HR 4613 | Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 0) |
| 7/22 | HR 4613 | Defense Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 0) |
| 6/23 | S 2400 | Military Construction FY2005 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| 6/23 | S 2400 | Military Construction FY2005 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| 6/23 | S 2400 | Military Construction FY2005 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 0) |
| 5/21 | S Res 356 | Resolution Condemning Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners | Resolution Passed - Senate (92 - 0) |
| 5/11 | S 1637 | Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 5) |
| 11/12 | HR 1588 | Defense Department FY2004 Authorization bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3) |
| 10/17 | S 1689 | Emergency Appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12) |
| 10/17 | S 1689 | Emergency Appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan | Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12) |
| 7/31 | HR 2738 | U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32) |
| 7/31 | HR 2739 | U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32) |
| 5/22 | S 1050 | Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| 5/22 | S 1050 | Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| 5/22 | S 1050 | Fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization-Passage | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| 11/19 | HR 5005 | Establishing the Department of Homeland Security | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
| 10/16 | HR 5010 | Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 1) |
| 10/16 | HR 5010 | Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 1) |
| 10/11 | H J Res 114 | Use of Military Force Against Iraq | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (77 - 23) |
| 8/01 | HR 3009 | Andean Trade Preference Act Extension | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 34) |
| 8/01 | HR 5010 | Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3) |
| 8/01 | HR 5010 | Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3) |
| 7/31 | S 812 | Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act | Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 21) |
| 7/24 | HR 4775 | Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7) |
| 7/18 | HR 5011 | Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3) |
| 7/18 | HR 5011 | Military Construction Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3) |
| 6/21 | S Amdt 3927 | Military Abortion Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 40) |
| 6/18 | S 2600 | Terrorism Insurance Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (84 - 14) |
| 12/13 | S 1438 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2) |
| 12/13 | S 1438 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (96 - 2) |
| 12/07 | S Amdt 2336 | International Courts Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 21) |
| 12/07 | S Amdt 2336 | International Courts Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 21) |
| 10/25 | HR 3162 | USA Patriot Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1) |
| 9/14 | S J Res 23 | Military Force Authorization | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (98 - 0) |
| 10/25 | HR 4811 | Foreign Operations FY 2001 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 27) |
| 10/03 | S 2045 | American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act, 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1) |
| 9/19 | HR 4444 | U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 | Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 15) |
| 9/13 | S Amdt 4132 | China Nonproliferation Act | Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 32) |