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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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) |
March 30, 2023 | National | HR 1 | Lower Energy Costs Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 204) |
March 30, 2023 | National | HR 1 | Lower Energy Costs Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 204) |
Jan. 27, 2023 | National | HR 21 | Strategic Production Response Act | Bill Passed - House (221 - 205) |
Jan. 12, 2023 | National | HR 22 | Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act | Bill Passed - House (331 - 97) |
March 9, 2022 | National | HR 6968 | Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act | Bill Passed - House (414 - 17) |
June 25, 2021 | National | S J Res 14 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review" | Joint Resolution Passed - House (229 - 191) |
April 28, 2021 | National | S J Res 14 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review" | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 42) |
Feb. 25, 2021 | National | PN 78-8 | Nomination of Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (64 - 35) |
Sept. 24, 2020 | National | HR 4447 | Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (220 - 185) |
Dec. 2, 2019 | National | PN 1268 | Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (70 - 15) |
Nov. 21, 2019 | National | PN 1268 | Nomination of Dan Brouillette as the Secretary of Energy | Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 18) |
Oct. 31, 2019 | National | HR 823 | Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act | Bill Passed - House (227 - 182) |
Oct. 17, 2019 | National | S J Res 53 | A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Repeal of the Clean Power Plan; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units; Revisions to Emission Guidelines Implementing Regulations" | Bill Failed - Senate (41 - 53) |
Sept. 12, 2019 | National | HR 1146 | Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (225 - 193) |
Sept. 11, 2019 | National | HR 1941 | Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 189) |
May 2, 2019 | National | HR 9 | Climate Action Now Act | Bill Passed - House (231 - 190) |
March 26, 2019 | National | S J Res 8 | A joint resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (0 - 57) |
March 25, 2019 | National | HR 1616 | European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (391 - 24) |
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 7, 2018 | National | HR 1917 | BRICK Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 180) |
March 7, 2018 | National | HR 1917 | BRICK Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (234 - 180) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28) |
July 19, 2017 | National | HR 2910 | Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (248 - 179) |
July 19, 2017 | National | HR 2883 | Promoting Cross Border Energy Infrastructure Act | Bill Passed - House (254 - 175) |
Feb. 4, 2016 | National | S 2012 | Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (43 - 54) |
Dec. 3, 2015 | National | HR 8 | North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act | Bill Passed - House (249 - 174) |
Oct. 9, 2015 | National | HR 702 | To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions | Bill Passed - House (261 - 159) |
Oct. 8, 2015 | National | HR 538 | Native American Energy Act | Bill Passed - House (254 - 173) |
Sept. 25, 2015 | National | HR 348 | Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (233 - 170) |
July 22, 2015 | National | HR 1734 | Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulations Act of 2016 | Bill Passed - House (258 - 166) |
May 20, 2015 | National | HR 1806 | America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 | Bill Passed - House (217 - 205) |
May 1, 2015 | National | HR 2028 | Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 | Bill Passed - House (240 - 177) |
March 4, 2015 | National | S 1 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Veto Override Failed - Senate (62 - 37) |
Feb. 11, 2015 | National | S 1 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (270 - 152) |
Jan. 29, 2015 | National | S 1 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36) |
Jan. 21, 2015 | National | HR 161 | Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (253 - 169) |
Jan. 9, 2015 | National | HR 3 | Keystone XL Pipeline Act | Bill Passed - House (266 - 153) |
Nov. 18, 2014 | National | S 2280 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Failed - Senate (59 - 41) |
Nov. 14, 2014 | National | HR 5682 | To Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (252 - 161) |
July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3584 | Transportation Empowerment Act | Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69) |
June 26, 2014 | National | HR 4899 | Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 185) |
June 26, 2014 | National | HR 4899 | Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 185) |
June 24, 2014 | National | H Amdt 956 | Prohibits Pending Pipeline Permit Applications from Receiving Automatic Approval | Amendment Rejected - House (171 - 240) |
June 24, 2014 | National | HR 3301 | North American Energy Infrastructure Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 173) |
May 22, 2014 | National | H Amdt 671 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Certain Climate Change Reports | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |
March 25, 2014 | National | HR 2824 | Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
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 | HR 3826 | Electricity Security and Affordability Act | Bill Passed - House (229 - 183) |
March 6, 2014 | National | HR 2641 | Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 179) |
Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 512 | Requires Natural Gas Pipeline Applications to Include Certain Information | Amendment Rejected - House (183 - 233) |
Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 515 | Prohibits the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act from Taking Effect During the Sequester | Amendment Rejected - House (175 - 243) |
Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 513 | Removes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Permit Issuance Requirement | Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 233) |
Nov. 21, 2013 | National | HR 1900 | Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (252 - 165) |
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) |
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 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 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 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) |
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 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 1965 | Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 1965 | Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 2728 | Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 187) |
Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 2728 | Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 187) |
Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 448 | Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176) |
Aug. 1, 2013 | National | HR 1582 | Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (232 - 181) |
July 25, 2013 | National | HR 2218 | Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (265 - 155) |
June 28, 2013 | National | HR 2231 | Offshore Energy and Jobs Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 186) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 71 | Repeals Requirement that Secretary of the Army Approve All Keystone XL Pipeline Permit Applications | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 75 | Requires All Oil and Refined Fuels Transported Through the Keystone XL Pipeline to be Used Only in The United States | Amendment Rejected - House (162 - 255) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 67 | Requires a Finding be Added Concerning Oil Sand Crudes | Amendment Rejected - House (146 - 269) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 69 | Requires Threat Assessment of Pipeline Vulnerabilities to a Terrorist Attack | Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 239) |
May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 72 | Increases Time to File a Claim Under the Northern Route Approval Act from 60 Days to 1 Year | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234) |
May 22, 2013 | National | HR 3 | Northern Route Approval Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 175) |
Nov. 28, 2012 | National | S Amdt 2985 | Repeals the Limit on the Use of Funds to Procure Alternative Fuel | Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37) |
Nov. 28, 2012 | National | S Amdt 3095 | Repeals the Prohibition on Biofuel Refinery Construction | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41) |
Sept. 21, 2012 | National | HR 3409 | Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (233 - 175) |
Sept. 14, 2012 | National | HR 6213 | No More Solyndras Act | Bill Passed - House (245 - 161) |
July 25, 2012 | National | HR 6168 | President Obama's Proposed 2012-2017 Offshore Drilling Lease Sale Plan Act | Bill Failed - House (164 - 261) |
July 25, 2012 | National | HR 6082 | Congressional Replacement of President Obama's Offshore Drilling Plan | Bill Passed - House (253 - 170) |
June 21, 2012 | National | HR 4480 | Domestic Energy and Jobs Act | Bill Passed - House (248 - 163) |
April 18, 2012 | National | HR 4348 | Extension of Surface Transportation Funding and Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (293 - 127) |
March 29, 2012 | National | S 2204 | Amends Energy-Related Tax Credits | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47) |
March 29, 2012 | National | S 2204 | Amends Energy-Related Tax Credits | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47) |
March 8, 2012 | National | S Amdt 1537 | Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project | Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 42) |
Feb. 17, 2012 | National | HR 3630 | Extends Payroll Tax Cut | Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132) |
Feb. 17, 2012 | National | HR 3630 | Extends Payroll Tax Cut | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 36) |
Feb. 16, 2012 | National | HR 3408 | Authorizes Development of Oil Shale Resources | Bill Passed - House (237 - 187) |
Dec. 20, 2011 | National | HR 3630 | Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193) |
Dec. 17, 2011 | National | S Amdt 1465 | Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension | Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10) |
Dec. 13, 2011 | National | HR 3630 | Reduces Payroll Taxes and Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (234 - 193) |
Oct. 14, 2011 | National | HR 2273 | Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act | Bill Passed - House (267 - 144) |