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
Jan. 8, 2016 National HR 1927 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (211 - 188)
Sept. 11, 2019 National HR 1941 Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act Bill Passed - House (238 - 189)
July 21, 1995 National HR 1944 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 7)
June 29, 1995 National HR 1944 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - House (276 - 151)
June 20, 2013 National HR 1947 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Failed - House (195 - 234)
Dec. 15, 2022 National HR 1948 VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 201)
Jan. 22, 2018 National HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (266 - 150)
Jan. 22, 2018 National HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
Jan. 20, 2018 National HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Jan. 18, 2018 National HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (230 - 197)
July 16, 2003 National HR 1950 State Department FY2004-2005 Authorizations bill Bill Passed - House (382 - 42)
July 26, 2001 National HR 1954 Iran and Libya Sanctions Bill Passed - House (409 - 6)
May 31, 2011 National HR 1954 Increasing the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - House (97 - 318)
July 22, 2020 National HR 1957 Great American Outdoors Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (310 - 107)
June 17, 2020 National HR 1957 Great American Outdoors Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
June 14, 2013 National HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 108)
June 14, 2013 National HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
Nov. 20, 2013 National HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
Oct. 12, 1995 National HR 1976 Appropriations bill FY96, Agriculture Conference Report Adopted - House (288 - 132)
Jan. 4, 1996 National HR 1977 1996 Interior Appropriations Veto Override Failed - House (239 - 177)
Dec. 13, 1995 National HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 181)
Dec. 14, 1995 National HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (58 - 40)
July 18, 1995 National HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (244 - 181)
Feb. 11, 2020 National HR 1980 Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act Bill Passed - House (374 - 37)
July 29, 2015 National HR 1994 VA Accountability Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (256 - 170)
July 20, 1999 National HR 1995 Teacher Empowerment Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 185)
April 19, 2021 National HR 1996 SAFE Banking Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (321 - 101)
March 25, 2004 National HR 1997 Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004 Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38)
Feb. 26, 2004 National HR 1997 Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004 Bill Passed - House (254 - 163)
May 23, 2003 National HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50)
May 5, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 164)
May 11, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 36)
May 23, 2003 National HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - House (231 - 200)
Jan. 29, 2009 National HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32)
March 17, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
Feb. 6, 1995 National HR 2 Line Item Veto Act Bill Passed - House (294 - 134)
Feb. 4, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (259 - 160)
Jan. 14, 2009 National HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - House (289 - 139)
May 14, 1997 National HR 2 Public Housing bill Bill Passed - House (293 - 132)
Jan. 10, 2007 National HR 2 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (315 - 116)
Oct. 21, 1999 National HR 2 Education Funding for Disadvantaged Students-Passage Bill Passed - House (358 - 67)
Dec. 11, 2018 National HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 13)
June 28, 2018 National HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
June 21, 2018 National HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (213 - 211)
May 11, 2023 National HR 2 Secure the Border Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (219 - 213)
July 1, 2020 National HR 2 Moving Forward Act Bill Passed - House (233 - 188)
Jan. 19, 2011 National HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
July 20, 1993 National HR 20 Hatch Act Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
March 3, 1993 National HR 20 Hatch Act Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (333 - 86)
July 11, 2018 National HR 200 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 193)
Aug. 2, 2013 National HR 2009 Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 185)
Sept. 8, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 40)
Aug. 6, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (275 - 152)
Aug. 3, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 41)
July 28, 1993 National HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - House (275 - 152)
July 31, 1997 National HR 2014 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8)
July 31, 1997 National HR 2014 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (389 - 43)
June 26, 1997 National HR 2014 Budget Reconciliation Bill Bill Passed - House (253 - 179)
July 30, 1997 National HR 2015 Budget Reconciliation bill Conference Report Adopted - House (346 - 85)
July 31, 1997 National HR 2015 Budget Reconciliation bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 15)
June 25, 1997 National HR 2015 Budget Reconciliation bill Bill Passed - House (270 - 162)
Feb. 12, 2016 National HR 2017 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (266 - 144)
June 2, 2011 National HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
July 13, 2011 National HR 2018 Amending Clean Water Laws Bill Passed - House (239 - 184)
Dec. 11, 2013 National HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
Nov. 15, 1995 National HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 35)
Nov. 15, 1995 National HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52)
July 19, 1995 National HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Bill Passed - House (216 - 211)
June 22, 2011 National HR 2021 Impact of Drilling on Air Quality Bill Passed - House (253 - 166)
Sept. 23, 2004 National HR 2028 Pledge of Allegiance Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 173)
May 1, 2015 National HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
Dec. 18, 2015 National HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 33)
Dec. 18, 2015 National HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (316 - 113)
Dec. 17, 2015 National HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (318 - 109)
Oct. 1, 2015 National HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
June 24, 2015 National HR 2042 Ratepayer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 180)
June 2, 2015 National HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
Dec. 17, 2011 National HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (67 - 32)
Dec. 16, 2011 National HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 121)
June 23, 2021 National HR 2062 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
May 15, 2012 National HR 2072 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
May 9, 2012 National HR 2072 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (330 - 93)
Dec. 6, 1995 National HR 2076 Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State Conference Report Adopted - House (256 - 166)
Dec. 7, 1995 National HR 2076 Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
July 26, 1995 National HR 2076 Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State Bill Passed - House (272 - 151)
March 11, 2008 National HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Veto Override Failed - House (225 - 188)
Feb. 13, 2008 National HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 45)
Dec. 13, 2007 National HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (222 - 199)
June 26, 2018 National HR 2083 Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (288 - 116)
Oct. 4, 1999 National HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 3)
Oct. 1, 1999 National HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (304 - 91)
June 23, 1999 National HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (429 - 3)
Oct. 1, 2008 National HR 2095 Amtrak Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
Dec. 7, 1995 National HR 2099 Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (227 - 190)
Dec. 14, 1995 National HR 2099 Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
July 31, 1995 National HR 2099 Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (228 - 193)
Jan. 27, 2023 National HR 21 Strategic Production Response Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 205)
Jan. 3, 2019 National HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
Jan. 4, 2017 National HR 21 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (238 - 184)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 2102 Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines Bill Passed - House (398 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/08 HR 1927 Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016 Bill Passed - House (211 - 188)
9/11 HR 1941 Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act Bill Passed - House (238 - 189)
7/21 HR 1944 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - Senate (90 - 7)
6/29 HR 1944 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Bill Passed - House (276 - 151)
6/20 HR 1947 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Failed - House (195 - 234)
12/15 HR 1948 VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (219 - 201)
1/22 HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (266 - 150)
1/22 HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
1/20 HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
1/18 HR 195 Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (230 - 197)
7/16 HR 1950 State Department FY2004-2005 Authorizations bill Bill Passed - House (382 - 42)
7/26 HR 1954 Iran and Libya Sanctions Bill Passed - House (409 - 6)
5/31 HR 1954 Increasing the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - House (97 - 318)
7/22 HR 1957 Great American Outdoors Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (310 - 107)
6/17 HR 1957 Great American Outdoors Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 108)
6/14 HR 1960 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Motion Rejected - House (194 - 225)
11/20 HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
10/12 HR 1976 Appropriations bill FY96, Agriculture Conference Report Adopted - House (288 - 132)
1/04 HR 1977 1996 Interior Appropriations Veto Override Failed - House (239 - 177)
12/13 HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 181)
12/14 HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (58 - 40)
7/18 HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (244 - 181)
2/11 HR 1980 Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act Bill Passed - House (374 - 37)
7/29 HR 1994 VA Accountability Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (256 - 170)
7/20 HR 1995 Teacher Empowerment Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 185)
4/19 HR 1996 SAFE Banking Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (321 - 101)
3/25 HR 1997 Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004 Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38)
2/26 HR 1997 Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004 Bill Passed - House (254 - 163)
5/23 HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50)
5/05 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 164)
5/11 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 36)
5/23 HR 2 Jobs and Economic Growth bill Conference Report Adopted - House (231 - 200)
1/29 HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32)
3/17 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
2/06 HR 2 Line Item Veto Act Bill Passed - House (294 - 134)
2/04 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (259 - 160)
1/14 HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - House (289 - 139)
5/14 HR 2 Public Housing bill Bill Passed - House (293 - 132)
1/10 HR 2 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (315 - 116)
10/21 HR 2 Education Funding for Disadvantaged Students-Passage Bill Passed - House (358 - 67)
12/11 HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 13)
6/28 HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 11)
6/21 HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (213 - 211)
5/11 HR 2 Secure the Border Act of 2023 Bill Passed - House (219 - 213)
7/01 HR 2 Moving Forward Act Bill Passed - House (233 - 188)
1/19 HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
7/20 HR 20 Hatch Act Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
3/03 HR 20 Hatch Act Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (333 - 86)
7/11 HR 200 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 193)
8/02 HR 2009 Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 185)
9/08 HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 40)
8/06 HR 2010 National Service Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (275 - 152)
8/03 HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 41)
7/28 HR 2010 National Service Bill Bill Passed - House (275 - 152)
7/31 HR 2014 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 8)
7/31 HR 2014 Budget Reconciliation Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (389 - 43)
6/26 HR 2014 Budget Reconciliation Bill Bill Passed - House (253 - 179)
7/30 HR 2015 Budget Reconciliation bill Conference Report Adopted - House (346 - 85)
7/31 HR 2015 Budget Reconciliation bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 15)
6/25 HR 2015 Budget Reconciliation bill Bill Passed - House (270 - 162)
2/12 HR 2017 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (266 - 144)
6/02 HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
7/13 HR 2018 Amending Clean Water Laws Bill Passed - House (239 - 184)
12/11 HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
11/15 HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Conference Report Adopted - Senate (63 - 35)
11/15 HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Conference Report Adopted - House (374 - 52)
7/19 HR 2020 Appropriations bill FY96, Treasury, Postal Service Bill Passed - House (216 - 211)
6/22 HR 2021 Impact of Drilling on Air Quality Bill Passed - House (253 - 166)
9/23 HR 2028 Pledge of Allegiance Protection Bill Bill Passed - House (247 - 173)
5/01 HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
12/18 HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 33)
12/18 HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (316 - 113)
12/17 HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (318 - 109)
10/01 HR 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 44)
6/24 HR 2042 Ratepayer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (247 - 180)
6/02 HR 2048 Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring (USA FREEDOM) Act of 2015 Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
12/17 HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (67 - 32)
12/16 HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 121)
6/23 HR 2062 Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
5/15 HR 2072 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
5/09 HR 2072 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (330 - 93)
12/06 HR 2076 Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State Conference Report Adopted - House (256 - 166)
12/07 HR 2076 Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 48)
7/26 HR 2076 Appropriations bill FY96, Commerce, Justice, State Bill Passed - House (272 - 151)
3/11 HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Veto Override Failed - House (225 - 188)
2/13 HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 45)
12/13 HR 2082 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 Conference Report Adopted - House (222 - 199)
6/26 HR 2083 Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (288 - 116)
10/04 HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 3)
10/01 HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (304 - 91)
6/23 HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (429 - 3)
10/01 HR 2095 Amtrak Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
12/07 HR 2099 Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (227 - 190)
12/14 HR 2099 Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
7/31 HR 2099 Veterans Affairs, HUD FY '96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (228 - 193)
1/27 HR 21 Strategic Production Response Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 205)
1/03 HR 21 Making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes Bill Passed - House (241 - 190)
1/04 HR 21 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (238 - 184)
10/16 HR 2102 Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines Bill Passed - House (398 - 21)

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