National Social Key Votes

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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:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
July 17, 2002 National HR 5093 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
July 10, 2002 National HR 4635 Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (310 - 113)
June 11, 2002 National S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
June 11, 2002 National S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
May 16, 2002 National HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
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)
Oct. 25, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
Oct. 24, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
Oct. 12, 2001 National HR 2975 Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (337 - 79)
July 31, 2001 National H Amdt 285 Human Cloning Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (178 - 249)
July 31, 2001 National HR 2505 Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (265 - 162)
July 19, 2001 National H Amdt 200 Community Solutions Act Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (168 - 261)
July 19, 2001 National HR 7 Community Solutions Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (233 - 198)
July 17, 2001 National H J Res 36 Flag Burning Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (298 - 125)
April 26, 2001 National H Amdt 27 Violence Against Fetuses/Unborn Children Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 229)
April 26, 2001 National HR 503 Unborn Victims of Violence Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 172)
Oct. 3, 2000 National S 2045 American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act, 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1)
July 13, 2000 National H Amdt 997 Family Planning Assistance Funding amendment Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
May 10, 2000 National H Amdt 685 Land Conservation-Land Acquisition Funding Amendment Rejected - House (109 - 315)
April 6, 2000 National S Amdt 2955 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
March 2, 2000 National S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
Feb. 2, 2000 National S Amdt 2763 Violent Protesters Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 17)
Oct. 21, 1999 National S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
Sept. 30, 1999 National H Amdt 509 Substitute Amendment to Unborn Victims of Violence Act Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 224)
Sept. 30, 1999 National HR 2436 Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (254 - 172)
Sept. 30, 1999 National HR 2436 Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (254 - 172)
Sept. 14, 1999 National S J Res 33 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2)
Aug. 5, 1999 National S Amdt 1569 NEA Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (80 - 16)
July 29, 1999 National H Amdt 356 Adoption Restriction Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 215)
July 29, 1999 National H Amdt 360 Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (221 - 208)
July 15, 1999 National HR 1691 Religious Liberty Protection Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (306 - 118)
June 30, 1999 National HR 1218 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 159)
June 29, 1999 National H Con Res 94 National Day of Prayer Resolution Resolution Failed - House (275 - 140)
June 18, 1999 National H Amdt 215 24 Hour Background Check Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 211)
June 18, 1999 National H Amdt 216 72 Hour Background Check Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 235)
June 18, 1999 National HR 2122 Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act Bill Failed - House (147 - 280)
June 17, 1999 National H Amdt 200 Ten Commandments Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 180)
June 17, 1999 National H Amdt 200 Ten Commandments Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 180)
June 17, 1999 National HR 1501 Juvenile Justice bill Bill Passed - House (287 - 139)
June 8, 1999 National H Amdt 140 Lethal Predator Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230)
May 20, 1999 National S Amdt 362 Gun Show Sale Regulation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 50)
May 20, 1999 National S 254 Juvenile Crime bill Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
May 18, 1999 National S Amdt 351 Religious Memorials at Schools Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (85 - 13)
Oct. 8, 1998 National H Amdt 923 Contraceptive Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200)
Oct. 8, 1998 National H Amdt 923 Contraceptive Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200)
Sept. 24, 1998 National HR 3736 Nonimmigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - House (288 - 133)
Sept. 16, 1998 National H Amdt 887 Illegal Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (291 - 133)
Sept. 15, 1998 National S 2073 Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (280 - 126)
Aug. 7, 1998 National H Amdt 869 Illegal Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (250 - 169)
Aug. 7, 1998 National H Amdt 871 Adoption Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 192)
Aug. 6, 1998 National H Amdt 874 Low Income Educational Scholarship Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (214 - 208)
July 30, 1998 National H Amdt 747 Voter Registration Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 260)
July 23, 1998 National S Amdt 3258 Temporary Farm Workers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 31)
July 23, 1998 National S Amdt 3266 Internet Gambling Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (90 - 10)
July 23, 1998 National HR 4193 Interior Department FY99 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 181)
July 22, 1998 National S Amdt 3263 Phone Recording Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
July 21, 1998 National S Amdt 3230 Gun Lock Requirement Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (61 - 39)
July 21, 1998 National H Amdt 753 National Endowment for the Arts Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
July 16, 1998 National H Amdt 728 Federal Health Plan Contraceptive Coverage Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 198)
July 16, 1998 National H Amdt 728 Federal Health Plan Contraceptive Coverage Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 198)
July 15, 1998 National HR 3682 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (276 - 150)
June 24, 1998 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 36)
June 18, 1998 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - House (225 - 197)
June 9, 1998 National S Amdt 2451 Illegal Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46)
June 4, 1998 National H J Res 78 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - House (224 - 203)
May 18, 1998 National S Amdt 2417 U.S. Citizen Recruitment Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 39)
May 18, 1998 National S 1723 Non-Immigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
May 14, 1998 National HR 2431 Religious Freedom Bill Passed - House (375 - 41)
April 23, 1998 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
Feb. 24, 1998 National HR 424 Minimum Sentences for Gun Crimes Bill Passed - House (350 - 59)
Feb. 24, 1998 National HR 424 Minimum Sentences for Gun Crimes Bill Passed - House (350 - 59)
Feb. 11, 1998 National S 1601 Human Cloning Research bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (42 - 54)
Oct. 23, 1997 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 198)
Sept. 9, 1997 National H Amdt 335 Family Planning Parental Notification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 201)
Sept. 9, 1997 National H Amdt 335 Family Planning Parental Notification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 201)
Sept. 4, 1997 National H Amdt 318 International Family Planning amendment Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 191)
Sept. 4, 1997 National H Amdt 318 International Family Planning amendment Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 191)
June 26, 1997 National S Amdt 527 Family Tax Relief Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61)
June 19, 1997 National H Amdt 187 Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 224)
May 8, 1997 National HR 3 Juvenile Crime bill Bill Passed - House (286 - 132)
May 7, 1997 National H Amdt 71 Endangered Species Act Exemption Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 196)
March 20, 1997 National S Amdt 25 U.S.- Mexico Drug Trafficking Prevention Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
March 20, 1997 National S Amdt 25 U.S.- Mexico Drug Trafficking Prevention Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
March 5, 1997 National H Con Res 31 Display of the Ten Commandments Resolution Passed - House (295 - 125)
Feb. 13, 1997 National HR 581 Population Planning Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 194)
Sept. 25, 1996 National HR 2202 Immigration Reform bill Conference Report Adopted - House (305 - 123)
Sept. 17, 1996 National S Amdt 5353 Federal Land Grazing Fee Amendment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (50 - 50)
Sept. 10, 1996 National S 2056 Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
Sept. 10, 1996 National HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
Aug. 1, 1996 National HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
Aug. 1, 1996 National HR 123 English as the National Language Bill Passed - House (259 - 169)
July 31, 1996 National HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - House (328 - 101)
July 30, 1996 National HR 2391 Working Families Flexibility Act of 1996 Bill Passed - House (225 - 195)
July 23, 1996 National HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
July 18, 1996 National HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Bill Passed - House (256 - 170)
July 12, 1996 National H Amdt 1286 Definition of Marriage Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (103 - 311)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/17 HR 5093 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
7/10 HR 4635 Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act Bill Passed - House (310 - 113)
6/11 S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
6/11 S 625 Hate Crimes Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43)
5/16 HR 4737 Temporary Aid to Needy Families Bill Passed - House (229 - 197)
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)
10/25 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
10/24 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
10/12 HR 2975 Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (337 - 79)
7/31 H Amdt 285 Human Cloning Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (178 - 249)
7/31 HR 2505 Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (265 - 162)
7/19 H Amdt 200 Community Solutions Act Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (168 - 261)
7/19 HR 7 Community Solutions Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (233 - 198)
7/17 H J Res 36 Flag Burning Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (298 - 125)
4/26 H Amdt 27 Violence Against Fetuses/Unborn Children Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 229)
4/26 HR 503 Unborn Victims of Violence Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 172)
10/03 S 2045 American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act, 2000 Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 1)
7/13 H Amdt 997 Family Planning Assistance Funding amendment Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221)
6/20 S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
6/20 S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
6/20 S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
5/10 H Amdt 685 Land Conservation-Land Acquisition Funding Amendment Rejected - House (109 - 315)
4/06 S Amdt 2955 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 49)
3/02 S 1134 Education Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37)
2/02 S Amdt 2763 Violent Protesters Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 17)
10/21 S 1692 Ban on Partial-Birth/Late Term Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 34)
9/30 H Amdt 509 Substitute Amendment to Unborn Victims of Violence Act Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 224)
9/30 HR 2436 Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (254 - 172)
9/30 HR 2436 Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (254 - 172)
9/14 S J Res 33 Puerto Rican Nationals resolution Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (95 - 2)
8/05 S Amdt 1569 NEA Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (80 - 16)
7/29 H Amdt 356 Adoption Restriction Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 215)
7/29 H Amdt 360 Abortion Funding Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (221 - 208)
7/15 HR 1691 Religious Liberty Protection Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (306 - 118)
6/30 HR 1218 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (270 - 159)
6/29 H Con Res 94 National Day of Prayer Resolution Resolution Failed - House (275 - 140)
6/18 H Amdt 215 24 Hour Background Check Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 211)
6/18 H Amdt 216 72 Hour Background Check Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 235)
6/18 HR 2122 Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act Bill Failed - House (147 - 280)
6/17 H Amdt 200 Ten Commandments Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 180)
6/17 H Amdt 200 Ten Commandments Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 180)
6/17 HR 1501 Juvenile Justice bill Bill Passed - House (287 - 139)
6/08 H Amdt 140 Lethal Predator Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230)
5/20 S Amdt 362 Gun Show Sale Regulation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 50)
5/20 S 254 Juvenile Crime bill Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
5/18 S Amdt 351 Religious Memorials at Schools Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (85 - 13)
10/08 H Amdt 923 Contraceptive Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200)
10/08 H Amdt 923 Contraceptive Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 200)
9/24 HR 3736 Nonimmigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - House (288 - 133)
9/16 H Amdt 887 Illegal Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (291 - 133)
9/15 S 2073 Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (280 - 126)
8/07 H Amdt 869 Illegal Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (250 - 169)
8/07 H Amdt 871 Adoption Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 192)
8/06 H Amdt 874 Low Income Educational Scholarship Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (214 - 208)
7/30 H Amdt 747 Voter Registration Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 260)
7/23 S Amdt 3258 Temporary Farm Workers Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (68 - 31)
7/23 S Amdt 3266 Internet Gambling Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (90 - 10)
7/23 HR 4193 Interior Department FY99 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 181)
7/22 S Amdt 3263 Phone Recording Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
7/21 S Amdt 3230 Gun Lock Requirement Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (61 - 39)
7/21 H Amdt 753 National Endowment for the Arts Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
7/16 H Amdt 728 Federal Health Plan Contraceptive Coverage Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 198)
7/16 H Amdt 728 Federal Health Plan Contraceptive Coverage Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 198)
7/15 HR 3682 Child Custody Protection Act Bill Passed - House (276 - 150)
6/24 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 36)
6/18 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - House (225 - 197)
6/09 S Amdt 2451 Illegal Drug Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 46)
6/04 H J Res 78 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - House (224 - 203)
5/18 S Amdt 2417 U.S. Citizen Recruitment Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (59 - 39)
5/18 S 1723 Non-Immigrant Specialty Workers bill Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
5/14 HR 2431 Religious Freedom Bill Passed - House (375 - 41)
4/23 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
2/24 HR 424 Minimum Sentences for Gun Crimes Bill Passed - House (350 - 59)
2/24 HR 424 Minimum Sentences for Gun Crimes Bill Passed - House (350 - 59)
2/11 S 1601 Human Cloning Research bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (42 - 54)
10/23 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 198)
9/09 H Amdt 335 Family Planning Parental Notification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 201)
9/09 H Amdt 335 Family Planning Parental Notification Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 201)
9/04 H Amdt 318 International Family Planning amendment Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 191)
9/04 H Amdt 318 International Family Planning amendment Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 191)
6/26 S Amdt 527 Family Tax Relief Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (38 - 61)
6/19 H Amdt 187 Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (196 - 224)
5/08 HR 3 Juvenile Crime bill Bill Passed - House (286 - 132)
5/07 H Amdt 71 Endangered Species Act Exemption Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 196)
3/20 S Amdt 25 U.S.- Mexico Drug Trafficking Prevention Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
3/20 S Amdt 25 U.S.- Mexico Drug Trafficking Prevention Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 5)
3/05 H Con Res 31 Display of the Ten Commandments Resolution Passed - House (295 - 125)
2/13 HR 581 Population Planning Bill Bill Passed - House (231 - 194)
9/25 HR 2202 Immigration Reform bill Conference Report Adopted - House (305 - 123)
9/17 S Amdt 5353 Federal Land Grazing Fee Amendment Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (50 - 50)
9/10 S 2056 Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 1996 Bill Failed - Senate (49 - 50)
9/10 HR 3396 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Bill Passed - Senate (85 - 14)
8/01 HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 21)
8/01 HR 123 English as the National Language Bill Passed - House (259 - 169)
7/31 HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - House (328 - 101)
7/30 HR 2391 Working Families Flexibility Act of 1996 Bill Passed - House (225 - 195)
7/23 HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
7/18 HR 3734 Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Bill Passed - House (256 - 170)
7/12 H Amdt 1286 Definition of Marriage Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (103 - 311)

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