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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
July 10, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1040 | Prohibits Implementation of Certain Climate Assessments | Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 188) |
June 12, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1147 | Animal Damage Control Program Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (139 - 279) |
June 20, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1183 | Forest Service Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (211 - 211) |
July 25, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1359 | Energy Research Appropriation Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 211) |
July 25, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1360 | Renewable Energy Research Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (279 - 135) |
June 8, 1999 | National | H Amdt 140 | Lethal Predator Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230) |
June 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 227 | Amends the Federal Sugar Program | Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221) |
May 15, 2015 | National | H Amdt 230 | Prohibits Listing Lesser Prairie Chicken as Endangered | Amendment Adopted - House (229 - 190) |
July 24, 1997 | National | H Amdt 271 | Tobacco Crops Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (209 - 216) |
Aug. 1, 2001 | National | H Amdt 288 | Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (160 - 269) |
Aug. 1, 2001 | National | H Amdt 298 | Prohibiting Oil Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge | Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 223) |
April 21, 2005 | National | H Amdt 370 | Liability Shield Language Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219) |
Nov. 22, 1993 | National | H Amdt 416 | Penny Amendment to the Government Reform and Savings Act of 1993 | Amendment Rejected - House (213 - 219) |
Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 448 | Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176) |
Sept. 18, 2013 | National | H Amdt 463 | Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241) |
Sept. 18, 2013 | National | H Amdt 466 | Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance | Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235) |
Sept. 18, 2013 | National | H Amdt 466 | Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance | Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 499 | Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 499 | Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 503 | Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 503 | Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 504 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission | Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 504 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission | Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 507 | Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions | Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230) |
March 27, 1998 | National | H Amdt 542 | Road Construction Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (200 - 187) |
March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 585 | Prohibits the Social Cost of Carbon from Being Included in Agency Determinations | Amendment Adopted - House (222 - 188) |
March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 585 | Prohibits the Social Cost of Carbon from Being Included in Agency Determinations | Amendment Adopted - House (222 - 188) |
March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 587 | Exempts Certain Nuclear Facility Construction Projects from Environmental Review Time Frame Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 220) |
March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 587 | Exempts Certain Nuclear Facility Construction Projects from Environmental Review Time Frame Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 220) |
Sept. 29, 2005 | National | H Amdt 588 | Endangered Species Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 216) |
May 22, 2014 | National | H Amdt 671 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Certain Climate Change Reports | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |
May 10, 2000 | National | H Amdt 685 | Land Conservation-Land Acquisition Funding | Amendment Rejected - House (109 - 315) |
May 10, 2000 | National | H Amdt 685 | Land Conservation-Land Acquisition Funding | Amendment Rejected - House (109 - 315) |
May 10, 2000 | National | H Amdt 687 | Social Security and Medicare Solvency Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (216 - 208) |
May 11, 2000 | National | H Amdt 694 | Local Government Participation Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 238) |
May 7, 1997 | National | H Amdt 71 | Endangered Species Act Exemption Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 196) |
April 20, 2005 | National | H Amdt 72 | Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (200 - 231) |
July 12, 1994 | National | H Amdt 725 | East Mojave National Preserve Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (239 - 183) |
July 12, 1994 | National | H Amdt 725 | East Mojave National Preserve Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (239 - 183) |
July 27, 2011 | National | H Amdt 735 | Repeals Laws that Limited Funding for the Endangered Species Act | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 202) |
July 27, 2011 | National | H Amdt 735 | Repeals Laws that Limited Funding for the Endangered Species Act | Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 202) |
June 7, 2000 | National | H Amdt 745 | San Rafael Swell Area Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 211) |
June 7, 2000 | National | H Amdt 748 | San Rafael Legacy District Motor Vehicle Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 214) |
Aug. 4, 2007 | National | H Amdt 748 | Renewable Energy Standards | Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 190) |
Sept. 23, 2011 | National | H Amdt 799 | Suspends Cross State Air Pollution Rule | Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 188) |
Sept. 23, 2011 | National | H Amdt 800 | Requires the EPA to Consider Costs and Feasibility of Air Quality Standards | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 192) |
June 21, 2000 | National | H Amdt 858 | EPA Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 216) |
Feb. 28, 1996 | National | H Amdt 933 | Peanut Program Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (209 - 212) |
Feb. 28, 1996 | National | H Amdt 934 | Sugar Program Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 217) |
Feb. 28, 1996 | National | H Amdt 935 | Dairy Program Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (258 - 164) |
Feb. 29, 1996 | National | H Amdt 936 | Agricultural Conservation Programs Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (372 - 37) |
Feb. 29, 1996 | National | H Amdt 936 | Agricultural Conservation Programs Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (372 - 37) |
Feb. 29, 1996 | National | H Amdt 941 | Florida Everglades Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (299 - 124) |
July 19, 2018 | National | H Con Res 119 | Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. | Bill Passed - House (229 - 180) |
March 21, 2024 | National | H Con Res 86 | Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. | Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 196) |
March 21, 2024 | National | H Con Res 86 | Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. | Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 196) |
April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211) |
April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211) |
April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211) |
April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
March 17, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - House (218 - 214) |
March 17, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - House (218 - 214) |
March 17, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - House (218 - 214) |
March 29, 2023 | National | H J Res 27 | Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States' " | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 43) |
March 9, 2023 | National | H J Res 27 | Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States' " | Joint Resolution Passed - House (227 - 198) |
March 1, 2023 | National | H J Res 30 | Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights" | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 46) |
Feb. 28, 2023 | National | H J Res 30 | Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights" | Joint Resolution Passed - House (216 - 204) |
May 3, 2023 | National | H J Res 39 | Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414" | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41) |
May 3, 2023 | National | H J Res 39 | Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414" | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41) |
May 3, 2023 | National | H J Res 39 | Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414" | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41) |
April 28, 2023 | National | H J Res 39 | Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414" | Joint Resolution Passed - House (221 - 202) |
April 28, 2023 | National | H J Res 39 | Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414" | Joint Resolution Passed - House (221 - 202) |
April 28, 2023 | National | H J Res 39 | Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation 10414" | Joint Resolution Passed - House (221 - 202) |
March 21, 2017 | National | H J Res 69 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
Feb. 16, 2017 | National | H J Res 69 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the final rule of the Department of the Interior relating to Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska | Joint Resolution Passed - House (225 - 193) |
March 30, 2023 | National | HR 1 | Lower Energy Costs Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 204) |
Feb. 28, 1995 | National | HR 1022 | Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Act of 1995 | Bill Passed - House (286 - 141) |
March 22, 2024 | National | HR 1023 | To repeal section 134 of the Clean Air Act, relating to the greenhouse gas reduction fund. | Bill Passed - House (209 - 204) |
March 8, 2018 | National | HR 1119 | SENSE Act | Bill Passed - House (215 - 189) |
March 8, 2018 | National | HR 1119 | SENSE Act | Bill Passed - House (215 - 189) |
March 8, 2018 | National | HR 1119 | SENSE Act | Bill Passed - House (215 - 189) |
Sept. 12, 2019 | National | HR 1146 | Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 193) |
Dec. 13, 2023 | National | HR 1147 | Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 | Bill Passed - House (330 - 99) |
June 16, 2021 | National | HR 1187 | ESG Disclosure Simplification Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - House (215 - 214) |
May 5, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58) |
May 5, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Conference Report Adopted - House (368 - 58) |
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 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) |
March 16, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 43) |
March 16, 2005 | National | HR 1268 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 | Bill Passed - House (388 - 43) |
Oct. 30, 1997 | National | HR 1270 | Nuclear Waste Disposal bill | Bill Passed - House (307 - 120) |
June 1, 2015 | National | HR 1335 | Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 152) |
June 1, 2015 | National | HR 1335 | Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 152) |
Dec. 3, 2020 | National | HR 1380 | Big Cat Public Safety Act | Bill Passed - House (272 - 114) |