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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Oct. 21, 1999 National HR 2 Education Funding for Disadvantaged Students-Passage Bill Passed - House (358 - 67)
March 23, 1994 National HR 1804 Goals 2000: Educate America Act Conference Report Adopted - House (306 - 121)
March 26, 1994 National HR 1804 Goals 2000: Educate America Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 22)
March 11, 1999 National H Amdt 22 High Needs District Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 223)
July 25, 2006 National S Amdt 4689 Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
April 30, 1998 National S 1502 Washington, D.C. School Vouchers bill Bill Passed - House (214 - 206)
July 9, 2003 National HR 438 Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers Bill Passed - House (417 - 7)
July 19, 2007 National HR 3043 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill Passed - House (276 - 140)
April 1, 1998 National S Amdt 2175 School Modernization Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 46)
May 23, 1997 National S Amdt 357 Violent Crime Victims Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
April 25, 1996 National S Amdt 3669 Foreign Student Public Education Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 46)
April 25, 1996 National S Amdt 3670 Foreign Student Program Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
May 23, 2001 National HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (384 - 45)
Dec. 18, 2001 National HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
Dec. 13, 2001 National HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 41)
June 28, 2000 National S Amdt 3655 Funding for Special Education Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 47)
Oct. 21, 1999 National HR 2300 Academic Achievement for All Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 208)
July 9, 2003 National HR 2211 Ready to Teach Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (404 - 17)
July 27, 1994 National S Amdt 2417 Demonstration Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53)
July 20, 1999 National HR 1995 Teacher Empowerment Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 185)
May 13, 2004 National HR 1350 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3)
April 30, 2003 National HR 1350 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 171)
April 21, 1999 National HR 800 Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
April 21, 1999 National HR 800 Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 57)
March 11, 1999 National HR 800 Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
March 11, 1999 National HR 800 Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (330 - 90)
May 18, 1999 National S Amdt 351 Religious Memorials at Schools Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (85 - 13)
Aug. 6, 1998 National H Amdt 874 Low Income Educational Scholarship Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (214 - 208)
June 18, 1998 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - House (225 - 197)
June 24, 1998 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 36)
April 23, 1998 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
Oct. 23, 1997 National HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 198)
March 31, 1998 National S Amdt 2165 Deficit Neutral Reserve Fund Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
Feb. 5, 1998 National HR 2846 National Student Testing bill Bill Passed - House (242 - 174)
Nov. 17, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224)
Dec. 14, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213)
Oct. 27, 2005 National HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3)
Oct. 26, 2005 National S Amdt 2292 Individuals with Disabilities Education Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Oct. 27, 2005 National S Amdt 2287 After School Funding Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 56)
Oct. 26, 2005 National S Amdt 2275 Elementary and Secondary Education Act Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 51)
Dec. 8, 2005 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (234 - 197)
March 9, 1994 National H Amdt 462 Tobacco Education Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (353 - 70)
March 22, 1994 National H Amdt 488 Optional Abstinence Emphasis Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (262 - 166)
March 24, 1994 National H Amdt 491 Homosexuality Education Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 194)
March 24, 1994 National H Amdt 497 Funding and Programs Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (173 - 245)
March 17, 2005 National S Amdt 177 Education Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
March 17, 2005 National S Amdt 172 Perkins Vocational Education Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 56)
Oct. 13, 1993 National HR 1804 Goals 2000: Educate America Act Bill Passed - House (307 - 118)
July 27, 1994 National S Amdt 2416 Voluntary Prayer Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
Oct. 7, 1993 National HR 2518 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (311 - 115)
Oct. 18, 1993 National HR 2518 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (80 - 15)
Sept. 29, 1993 National HR 2518 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 17)
June 30, 1993 National HR 2518 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (305 - 124)
Nov. 4, 1997 National HR 2746 HELP Scholarships bill Bill Failed - House (191 - 228)
March 20, 1996 National H Amdt 969 Denying Public Education to Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Adopted - House (257 - 163)
March 25, 2010 National HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (220 - 207)
March 25, 2010 National HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
March 21, 2010 National HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 211)
April 21, 2010 AL HB 105 Required Physical Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 7)
April 14, 2010 AL HB 105 Required Physical Education Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
April 29, 2010 AZ HB 2281 Ethnic Studies Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (32 - 26)
April 28, 2010 AZ HB 2281 Ethnic Studies Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Aug. 5, 2010 National HR 1586 Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (61 - 39)
Aug. 10, 2010 National HR 1586 Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (247 - 161)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1381 Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1381 Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 30, 2010 CA SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Bill Passed - House (58 - 17)
Aug. 27, 2010 CA SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
Feb. 16, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9)
Feb. 1, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
Jan. 31, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
Feb. 1, 2011 VA HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
March 3, 2011 MN SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 50)
March 3, 2011 MN SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 19)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY SF 52 Repealing Teacher Tenure Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2011 NY S 2707 Funding State Mandated Programs Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
April 27, 2011 IN HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
April 12, 2011 IN HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 8, 2011 IN HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
Feb. 17, 2011 IA HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
Feb. 16, 2011 OH HB 30 Reduce Required School Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY SF 140 Kindergarten Attendance Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2011 ND HB 1258 Contribution Retirement Plans for Teachers Bill Failed - House (38 - 56)
Feb. 16, 2011 UT HB 75 Guns On School Premises Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
Feb. 22, 2011 MT HB 456 Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
Feb. 21, 2011 OK SB 435 Modifying Board of Education Membership Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 18, 2011 ND HB 1412 Teaching Personal Finance in Middle Schools Bill Failed - House (47 - 47)
Feb. 22, 2011 IN SB 1 Evaluating and Licensing of Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2011 NC SB 8 Repeal on the Number of Charter Schools Allowed Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
Feb. 23, 2011 SC H 3241 Funding for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (85 - 32)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT HB 183 School District Leave Policies Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2011 ID S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2011 ID S 1110 Redistributing Public School Funds for Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 2, 2011 WV HB 2879 One-Time Pay Raise for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
March 2, 2011 UT SB 65 Statewide Online Education Program Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
March 1, 2011 UT SB 65 Statewide Online Education Program Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 10)
March 4, 2011 ID H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/21 HR 2 Education Funding for Disadvantaged Students-Passage Bill Passed - House (358 - 67)
3/23 HR 1804 Goals 2000: Educate America Act Conference Report Adopted - House (306 - 121)
3/26 HR 1804 Goals 2000: Educate America Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 22)
3/11 H Amdt 22 High Needs District Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 223)
7/25 S Amdt 4689 Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
4/30 S 1502 Washington, D.C. School Vouchers bill Bill Passed - House (214 - 206)
7/09 HR 438 Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers Bill Passed - House (417 - 7)
7/19 HR 3043 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill Passed - House (276 - 140)
4/01 S Amdt 2175 School Modernization Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (54 - 46)
5/23 S Amdt 357 Violent Crime Victims Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
4/25 S Amdt 3669 Foreign Student Public Education Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 46)
4/25 S Amdt 3670 Foreign Student Program Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (53 - 47)
5/23 HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Bill Passed - House (384 - 45)
12/18 HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10)
12/13 HR 1 No Child Left Behind Act Conference Report Adopted - House (381 - 41)
6/28 S Amdt 3655 Funding for Special Education Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (51 - 47)
10/21 HR 2300 Academic Achievement for All Act Bill Passed - House (213 - 208)
7/09 HR 2211 Ready to Teach Act of 2003 Bill Passed - House (404 - 17)
7/27 S Amdt 2417 Demonstration Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 53)
7/20 HR 1995 Teacher Empowerment Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 185)
5/13 HR 1350 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3)
4/30 HR 1350 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 171)
4/21 HR 800 Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (98 - 1)
4/21 HR 800 Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 57)
3/11 HR 800 Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
3/11 HR 800 Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 Bill Passed - House (330 - 90)
5/18 S Amdt 351 Religious Memorials at Schools Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (85 - 13)
8/06 H Amdt 874 Low Income Educational Scholarship Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (214 - 208)
6/18 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - House (225 - 197)
6/24 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (59 - 36)
4/23 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
10/23 HR 2646 Education Savings Accounts bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 198)
3/31 S Amdt 2165 Deficit Neutral Reserve Fund Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 52)
2/05 HR 2846 National Student Testing bill Bill Passed - House (242 - 174)
11/17 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224)
12/14 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213)
10/27 HR 3010 Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3)
10/26 S Amdt 2292 Individuals with Disabilities Education Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
10/27 S Amdt 2287 After School Funding Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 56)
10/26 S Amdt 2275 Elementary and Secondary Education Act Amendment Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 51)
12/08 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (234 - 197)
3/09 H Amdt 462 Tobacco Education Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (353 - 70)
3/22 H Amdt 488 Optional Abstinence Emphasis Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (262 - 166)
3/24 H Amdt 491 Homosexuality Education Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 194)
3/24 H Amdt 497 Funding and Programs Substitute Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (173 - 245)
3/17 S Amdt 177 Education Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
3/17 S Amdt 172 Perkins Vocational Education Program Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 56)
10/13 HR 1804 Goals 2000: Educate America Act Bill Passed - House (307 - 118)
7/27 S Amdt 2416 Voluntary Prayer Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
10/07 HR 2518 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (311 - 115)
10/18 HR 2518 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (80 - 15)
9/29 HR 2518 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 17)
6/30 HR 2518 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (305 - 124)
11/04 HR 2746 HELP Scholarships bill Bill Failed - House (191 - 228)
3/20 H Amdt 969 Denying Public Education to Undocumented Immigrants Amendment Adopted - House (257 - 163)
3/25 HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (220 - 207)
3/25 HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 43)
3/21 HR 4872 Health Care Reconciliation Act Bill Passed - House (220 - 211)
4/21 HB 105 Required Physical Education Concurrence Vote Passed - House (72 - 7)
4/14 HB 105 Required Physical Education Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
4/29 HB 2281 Ethnic Studies Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (32 - 26)
4/28 HB 2281 Ethnic Studies Ban Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
8/05 HR 1586 Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (61 - 39)
8/10 HR 1586 Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (247 - 161)
8/31 SB 1381 Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
8/31 SB 1381 Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Bill Passed - House (51 - 18)
8/31 SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/30 SB 1317 Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy Bill Passed - House (58 - 17)
8/27 SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
8/26 SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
2/16 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9)
2/01 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
1/31 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
2/01 HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
3/03 SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 50)
3/03 SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 19)
2/08 SF 52 Repealing Teacher Tenure Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18)
1/31 S 2707 Funding State Mandated Programs Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
4/27 HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
4/12 HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/08 HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
2/17 HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
2/16 HB 30 Reduce Required School Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
2/08 SF 140 Kindergarten Attendance Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
2/18 HB 1258 Contribution Retirement Plans for Teachers Bill Failed - House (38 - 56)
2/16 HB 75 Guns On School Premises Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
2/22 HB 456 Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
2/21 SB 435 Modifying Board of Education Membership Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/18 HB 1412 Teaching Personal Finance in Middle Schools Bill Failed - House (47 - 47)
2/22 SB 1 Evaluating and Licensing of Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/24 SB 8 Repeal on the Number of Charter Schools Allowed Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
2/23 SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
2/23 H 3241 Funding for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (85 - 32)
2/23 HB 183 School District Leave Policies Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/24 S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/24 S 1110 Redistributing Public School Funds for Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/02 HB 2879 One-Time Pay Raise for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
3/02 SB 65 Statewide Online Education Program Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
3/01 SB 65 Statewide Online Education Program Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 10)
3/04 H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)

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