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. 21, 2004 | National | HR 4755 | Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
| July 14, 2004 | National | S J Res 40 | Federal Marriage Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50) |
| July 14, 2004 | National | S J Res 40 | Federal Marriage Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50) |
| July 12, 2004 | National | HR 4755 | Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (327 - 43) |
| June 2, 2004 | National | H J Res 83 | Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill | Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353) |
| June 2, 2004 | National | H J Res 83 | Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill | Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353) |
| April 22, 2004 | National | HR 2844 | Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 | Bill Passed - House (306 - 97) |
| April 22, 2004 | National | HR 2844 | Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 | Bill Passed - House (306 - 97) |
| Feb. 25, 2004 | National | HR 2751 | GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004 | Bill Passed - House (382 - 43) |
| Nov. 20, 2003 | National | HR 2417 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - House (264 - 163) |
| Nov. 18, 2003 | National | HR 2754 | Energy and Water Appropriations, FY 2004 bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (387 - 36) |
| Oct. 23, 2003 | National | S Amdt 1904 | Congressional Pay Raise Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (60 - 34) |
| Oct. 16, 2003 | National | H Res 198 | Iraq's Reconstruction Resolution | Resolution Passed - House (394 - 31) |
| Sept. 24, 2003 | National | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 56) |
| July 11, 2003 | National | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7) |
| July 9, 2003 | National | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Bill Passed - House (394 - 26) |
| June 3, 2003 | National | H J Res 4 | Flag Burning Resolution | Bill Passed - House (300 - 125) |
| April 11, 2003 | National | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 211) |
| April 11, 2003 | National | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50) |
| March 26, 2003 | National | S Con Res 23 | Budget Resolution FY2004 | Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44) |
| March 21, 2003 | National | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Resolution Passed - House (215 - 212) |
| March 19, 2003 | National | S Amdt 272 | ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48) |
| March 13, 2003 | National | HR 5 | Malpractice Liability bill | Bill Passed - House (229 - 196) |
| Feb. 13, 2003 | National | H J Res 2 | Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - House (338 - 83) |
| Feb. 13, 2003 | National | H J Res 2 | Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20) |
| Nov. 19, 2002 | National | HR 5005 | Establishing the Department of Homeland Security | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
| Oct. 16, 2002 | National | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2) |
| Oct. 16, 2002 | National | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2) |
| Oct. 10, 2002 | National | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48) |
| Oct. 10, 2002 | National | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48) |
| July 26, 2002 | National | HR 5005 | Establishing the Department of Homeland Security | Bill Passed - House (295 - 132) |
| July 25, 2002 | National | HR 5121 | Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14) |
| 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 18, 2002 | National | HR 5121 | Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 | Bill Passed - House (365 - 49) |
| June 11, 2002 | National | S 625 | Hate Crimes Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43) |
| April 11, 2002 | National | S 565 | Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1) |
| April 11, 2002 | National | S 565 | Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1) |
| Feb. 27, 2002 | National | S Amdt 2937 | Allowing Signatures for Voter Registration by Mail | Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (46 - 51) |
| Dec. 19, 2001 | National | HR 2506 | Foreign Operations FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 66) |
| Dec. 7, 2001 | National | HR 2944 | District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (79 - 20) |
| Dec. 6, 2001 | National | HR 2944 | District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (302 - 84) |
| Dec. 4, 2001 | National | HR 2299 | Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2) |
| Nov. 30, 2001 | National | HR 2299 | Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 11) |
| Nov. 15, 2001 | National | HR 2330 | Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7) |
| 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. 8, 2001 | National | HR 2620 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7) |
| Nov. 1, 2001 | National | HR 2647 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52) |
| Nov. 1, 2001 | National | HR 2647 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52) |
| July 20, 2001 | National | HR 2216 | 2001 Supplemental Appropriations Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (375 - 30) |
| May 10, 2001 | National | H Con Res 83 | Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 47) |
| May 9, 2001 | National | H Con Res 83 | Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 207) |
| Feb. 1, 2001 | National | PN 107 | John Ashcroft, Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42) |
| Jan. 30, 2001 | National | PN 96 | Gale Ann Norton, Secretary of the Interior | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (75 - 24) |
| July 20, 2000 | National | HR 4871 | Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 | Bill Passed - House (216 - 202) |
| June 21, 2000 | National | H Amdt 858 | EPA Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 216) |
| June 20, 2000 | National | S Amdt 3473 | Hate Crimes Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42) |
| June 7, 2000 | National | H Amdt 748 | San Rafael Legacy District Motor Vehicle Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 214) |
| June 7, 2000 | National | H Amdt 745 | San Rafael Swell Area Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 211) |
| May 11, 2000 | National | H Amdt 694 | Local Government Participation Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 238) |
| May 11, 2000 | National | HR 701 | Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 | Bill Passed - House (315 - 102) |
| May 10, 2000 | National | HR 3709 | Regarding Internet Taxation | Bill Passed - House (352 - 75) |
| March 29, 2000 | National | S J Res 14 | Flag Desecration amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37) |
| Nov. 19, 1999 | National | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 24) |
| Nov. 18, 1999 | National | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 135) |
| Nov. 5, 1999 | National | HR 3196 | Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (316 - 100) |
| Nov. 3, 1999 | National | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (216 - 210) |
| Nov. 2, 1999 | National | HR 3064 | DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48) |
| Oct. 28, 1999 | National | HR 3064 | DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 211) |
| Oct. 14, 1999 | National | HR 3064 | District of Columbia Appropriations Act, FY 2000 | Bill Passed - House (211 - 205) |
| Oct. 5, 1999 | National | PN 49 | Ronnie L. White, United States District Judge in Missouri | Nomination Rejected - Senate (45 - 54) |
| Sept. 16, 1999 | National | HR 2587 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 39) |
| Sept. 14, 1999 | National | S J Res 33 | Puerto Rican Nationals resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2) |
| Sept. 9, 1999 | National | HR 2587 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (208 - 206) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/21 | HR 4755 | Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 2) |
| 7/14 | S J Res 40 | Federal Marriage Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50) |
| 7/14 | S J Res 40 | Federal Marriage Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50) |
| 7/12 | HR 4755 | Legislative Branch FY2005 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - House (327 - 43) |
| 6/02 | H J Res 83 | Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill | Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353) |
| 6/02 | H J Res 83 | Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill | Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353) |
| 4/22 | HR 2844 | Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 | Bill Passed - House (306 - 97) |
| 4/22 | HR 2844 | Continuity in Representation Act of 2003 | Bill Passed - House (306 - 97) |
| 2/25 | HR 2751 | GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004 | Bill Passed - House (382 - 43) |
| 11/20 | HR 2417 | Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - House (264 - 163) |
| 11/18 | HR 2754 | Energy and Water Appropriations, FY 2004 bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (387 - 36) |
| 10/23 | S Amdt 1904 | Congressional Pay Raise Amendment | Amendment Tabled - Senate (60 - 34) |
| 10/16 | H Res 198 | Iraq's Reconstruction Resolution | Resolution Passed - House (394 - 31) |
| 9/24 | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 56) |
| 7/11 | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 7) |
| 7/09 | HR 2657 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, FY 2003 bill | Bill Passed - House (394 - 26) |
| 6/03 | H J Res 4 | Flag Burning Resolution | Bill Passed - House (300 - 125) |
| 4/11 | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - House (216 - 211) |
| 4/11 | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50) |
| 3/26 | S Con Res 23 | Budget Resolution FY2004 | Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 44) |
| 3/21 | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Resolution Passed - House (215 - 212) |
| 3/19 | S Amdt 272 | ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 48) |
| 3/13 | HR 5 | Malpractice Liability bill | Bill Passed - House (229 - 196) |
| 2/13 | H J Res 2 | Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - House (338 - 83) |
| 2/13 | H J Res 2 | Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20) |
| 11/19 | HR 5005 | Establishing the Department of Homeland Security | Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 9) |
| 10/16 | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2) |
| 10/16 | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2) |
| 10/10 | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48) |
| 10/10 | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48) |
| 7/26 | HR 5005 | Establishing the Department of Homeland Security | Bill Passed - House (295 - 132) |
| 7/25 | HR 5121 | Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 | Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14) |
| 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) |
| 7/18 | HR 5121 | Legislative Branch Appropriation, FY2003 | Bill Passed - House (365 - 49) |
| 6/11 | S 625 | Hate Crimes Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43) |
| 4/11 | S 565 | Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1) |
| 4/11 | S 565 | Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1) |
| 2/27 | S Amdt 2937 | Allowing Signatures for Voter Registration by Mail | Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (46 - 51) |
| 12/19 | HR 2506 | Foreign Operations FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 66) |
| 12/07 | HR 2944 | District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (79 - 20) |
| 12/06 | HR 2944 | District of Columbia FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (302 - 84) |
| 12/04 | HR 2299 | Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2) |
| 11/30 | HR 2299 | Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 11) |
| 11/15 | HR 2330 | Agriculture FY2002 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7) |
| 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) |
| 11/08 | HR 2620 | Veterans Affairs and HUD Appropriations Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 7) |
| 11/01 | HR 2647 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52) |
| 11/01 | HR 2647 | Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52) |
| 7/20 | HR 2216 | 2001 Supplemental Appropriations Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (375 - 30) |
| 5/10 | H Con Res 83 | Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 47) |
| 5/09 | H Con Res 83 | Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 207) |
| 2/01 | PN 107 | John Ashcroft, Attorney General | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (58 - 42) |
| 1/30 | PN 96 | Gale Ann Norton, Secretary of the Interior | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (75 - 24) |
| 7/20 | HR 4871 | Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 | Bill Passed - House (216 - 202) |
| 6/21 | H Amdt 858 | EPA Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 216) |
| 6/20 | S Amdt 3473 | Hate Crimes Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42) |
| 6/07 | H Amdt 748 | San Rafael Legacy District Motor Vehicle Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 214) |
| 6/07 | H Amdt 745 | San Rafael Swell Area Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 211) |
| 5/11 | H Amdt 694 | Local Government Participation Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 238) |
| 5/11 | HR 701 | Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 | Bill Passed - House (315 - 102) |
| 5/10 | HR 3709 | Regarding Internet Taxation | Bill Passed - House (352 - 75) |
| 3/29 | S J Res 14 | Flag Desecration amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37) |
| 11/19 | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 24) |
| 11/18 | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 135) |
| 11/05 | HR 3196 | Foreign Operations FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (316 - 100) |
| 11/03 | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (216 - 210) |
| 11/02 | HR 3064 | DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48) |
| 10/28 | HR 3064 | DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 211) |
| 10/14 | HR 3064 | District of Columbia Appropriations Act, FY 2000 | Bill Passed - House (211 - 205) |
| 10/05 | PN 49 | Ronnie L. White, United States District Judge in Missouri | Nomination Rejected - Senate (45 - 54) |
| 9/16 | HR 2587 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 39) |
| 9/14 | S J Res 33 | Puerto Rican Nationals resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2) |
| 9/09 | HR 2587 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (208 - 206) |