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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | S Con Res 74 | Removal of ANWR Provision from HR 2863 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 45) |
Dec. 16, 2005 | National | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2524 | Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (84 - 14) |
Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2518 | Iraq Progress Reports Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (79 - 19) |
Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2518 | Iraq Progress Reports Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (79 - 19) |
Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2519 | Reporting Matters in Iraq Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 58) |
Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2519 | Reporting Matters in Iraq Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 58) |
Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2523 | Judicial Review of Detainees Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S 1042 | Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0) |
Nov. 15, 2005 | National | S 1042 | Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0) |
Nov. 10, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2516 | Detainees at Guantanamo Bay Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (49 - 42) |
Nov. 10, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2476 | Investigating Contracts in Iraq Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
Nov. 10, 2005 | National | HR 3057 | Foreign Operations FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 0) |
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 1660 | Congressional Commission on Hurricane Katrina | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
Sept. 14, 2005 | National | S Amdt 1670 | Special Committee on Contracts in Afghanistan and Iraq | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
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 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 | 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) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 44) |
12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
12/21 | HR 2863 | Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (93 - 0) |
12/21 | S Con Res 74 | Removal of ANWR Provision from HR 2863 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 45) |
12/16 | HR 3199 | PATRIOT Act Reauthorization | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47) |
11/15 | S Amdt 2524 | Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (84 - 14) |
11/15 | S Amdt 2518 | Iraq Progress Reports Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (79 - 19) |
11/15 | S Amdt 2518 | Iraq Progress Reports Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (79 - 19) |
11/15 | S Amdt 2519 | Reporting Matters in Iraq Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 58) |
11/15 | S Amdt 2519 | Reporting Matters in Iraq Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 58) |
11/15 | S Amdt 2523 | Judicial Review of Detainees Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
11/15 | S 1042 | Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0) |
11/15 | S 1042 | Defense Department FY2006 Authorization Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 0) |
11/10 | S Amdt 2516 | Detainees at Guantanamo Bay Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (49 - 42) |
11/10 | S Amdt 2476 | Investigating Contracts in Iraq Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
11/10 | HR 3057 | Foreign Operations FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 0) |
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 1660 | Congressional Commission on Hurricane Katrina | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
9/14 | S Amdt 1670 | Special Committee on Contracts in Afghanistan and Iraq | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
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 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 | 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) |