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 18, 2023 | National | H Con Res 40 | Expressing support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies | Joint Resolution Passed - House (301 - 119) |
May 16, 2023 | National | H J Res 42 | Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 43) |
April 19, 2023 | National | H J Res 42 | Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. | Joint Resolution Passed - House (229 - 189) |
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 8, 2023 | National | H J Res 26 | Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (81 - 14) |
Feb. 9, 2023 | National | H J Res 24 | Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (260 - 162) |
Feb. 9, 2023 | National | H J Res 26 | Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act | Joint Resolution Passed - House (250 - 173) |
Dec. 15, 2022 | National | HR 8393 | Puerto Rico Status Act | Bill Passed - House (233 - 191) |
Nov. 16, 2022 | National | S 4524 | Speak Out Act | Bill Passed - House (315 - 109) |
May 11, 2022 | National | HR 2499 | Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 | Bill Passed - House (288 - 131) |
June 29, 2021 | National | HR 2662 | IG Independence and Empowerment Act | Bill Passed - House (221 - 182) |
April 22, 2021 | National | HR 51 | Washington, D.C. Admission Act | Bill Passed - House (216 - 208) |
June 26, 2020 | National | HR 51 | Washington, D.C. Admission Act | Bill Passed - House (232 - 180) |
May 15, 2020 | National | HR 6800 | Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act | Bill Passed - House (208 - 199) |
Dec. 19, 2019 | National | HR 5377 | Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act | Bill Passed - House (218 - 206) |
May 9, 2019 | National | HR 986 | Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019 | Bill Passed - House (230 - 183) |
May 10, 2018 | National | HR 3053 | Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (340 - 72) |
May 9, 2018 | National | HR 2152 | Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (221 - 197) |
March 23, 2018 | National | HR 1625 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 32) |
March 22, 2018 | National | HR 1625 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 167) |
March 6, 2018 | National | HR 4607 | Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act | Bill Passed - House (246 - 143) |
Jan. 18, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34) |
Jan. 11, 2018 | National | S 139 | FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 164) |
Nov. 30, 2017 | National | HR 4182 | Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017 (EQUALS Act) | Bill Passed - House (213 - 204) |
June 29, 2017 | National | HR 3003 | No Sanctuary for Criminals Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 195) |
Jan. 21, 2016 | National | S J Res 22 | A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 40) |
Jan. 13, 2016 | National | S J Res 22 | A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to the Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act | Joint Resolution Passed - House (253 - 166) |
July 23, 2015 | National | HR 3009 | Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 179) |
July 29, 2014 | National | S Amdt 3584 | Transportation Empowerment Act | Amendment Rejected - Senate (28 - 69) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1093 | Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1098 | Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws | Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181) |
July 16, 2014 | National | H Amdt 1086 | Prohibits States from Penalizing a Bank for Providing Financial Services to Marijuana Businesses | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |
May 30, 2014 | National | H Amdt 748 | Prohibits Federal Agencies from Preventing States from Authorizing the Use of Medical Marijuana | Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 189) |
Jan. 9, 2014 | National | HR 2279 | Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (225 - 188) |
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 | HR 2728 | Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 187) |
Oct. 16, 2013 | National | HR 2775 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144) |
Oct. 16, 2013 | National | HR 2775 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18) |
Oct. 1, 2013 | National | H J Res 71 | District of Columbia Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Joint Resolution Failed - House (265 - 163) |
Sept. 20, 2013 | National | HR 1526 | Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act | Bill Passed - House (244 - 173) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | National | HR 2775 | No Subsidies Without Verification Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
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) |
June 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 231 | Authorizes States to Require Federal Welfare Work Requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 198) |
May 6, 2013 | National | S 743 | Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 27) |
April 25, 2013 | National | S 743 | Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 | Cloture Invoked - Senate (63 - 30) |
April 17, 2013 | National | S Amdt 719 | Authorizes Reciprocity for the Carrying of Certain Concealed Firearms | Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 43) |
March 21, 2013 | National | H Con Res 25 | Establishing the Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2014 and Setting Forth Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2015 Through 2023 | Joint Resolution Passed - House (221 - 207) |
March 13, 2013 | National | HR 890 | Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (246 - 181) |
June 19, 2012 | National | HR 2578 | Conservation and Economic Growth Act | Bill Passed - House (232 - 188) |
March 8, 2012 | National | S Amdt 1537 | Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project | Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 42) |
Nov. 16, 2011 | National | HR 822 | Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms | Bill Passed - House (272 - 154) |
Nov. 10, 2011 | National | S J Res 27 | Disapproval of EPA Cross-Border Pollution Rule | Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 56) |
Oct. 26, 2011 | National | HR 1904 | Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 | Bill Passed - House (235 - 186) |
Oct. 14, 2011 | National | HR 2273 | Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act | Bill Passed - House (267 - 144) |
Sept. 23, 2011 | National | H Amdt 799 | Suspends Cross State Air Pollution Rule | Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 188) |
July 13, 2011 | National | HR 2018 | Amending Clean Water Laws | Bill Passed - House (239 - 184) |
May 3, 2011 | National | HR 1213 | Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges | Bill Passed - House (238 - 183) |
March 30, 2011 | National | HR 471 | School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. | Bill Passed - House (225 - 195) |
Nov. 17, 2010 | National | HR 3808 | Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 | Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235) |
May 18, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4051 | Prohibiting Funding of State and Local Governments to Prevent Defaulting on Debt | Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 50) |
May 18, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4071 | Amending State Authority to Enforce Consumer Financial Regulations | Amendment Adopted - Senate (80 - 18) |
May 18, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4034 | Federal Preemption Over State Consumer Financial Laws | Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55) |
March 21, 2010 | National | HR 3590 | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212) |
Dec. 24, 2009 | National | HR 3590 | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39) |
Dec. 23, 2009 | National | HR 3590 | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 39) |
Nov. 7, 2009 | National | H Amdt 510 | Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments | Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258) |
July 22, 2009 | National | S Amdt 1618 | Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines | Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39) |
Feb. 26, 2009 | National | S 160 | Washington DC Voting Act | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
July 16, 2008 | National | HR 415 | Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System | Bill Passed - House (242 - 175) |
Oct. 24, 2007 | National | HR 505 | Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (261 - 153) |
July 26, 2007 | National | S Amdt 2405 | REAL ID Funding | Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44) |
July 25, 2007 | National | H Amdt 674 | State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation | Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 262) |
April 19, 2007 | National | HR 1905 | District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 | Bill Passed - House (241 - 177) |
June 15, 2005 | National | H Amdt 272 | Medical Marijuana Use Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (161 - 264) |
July 14, 2004 | National | S J Res 40 | Federal Marriage Amendment | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50) |
Oct. 16, 2002 | National | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2) |
Oct. 10, 2002 | National | HR 3295 | Help America Vote Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48) |
June 11, 2002 | National | S 625 | Hate Crimes Bill | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 43) |
April 11, 2002 | National | S 565 | Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1) |
June 21, 2000 | National | H Amdt 858 | EPA Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 216) |
June 20, 2000 | National | S Amdt 3473 | Hate Crimes Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42) |
June 7, 2000 | National | H Amdt 748 | San Rafael Legacy District Motor Vehicle Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 214) |
June 7, 2000 | National | H Amdt 745 | San Rafael Swell Area Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 211) |
May 11, 2000 | National | H Amdt 694 | Local Government Participation Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 238) |
May 11, 2000 | National | HR 701 | Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 | Bill Passed - House (315 - 102) |
May 10, 2000 | National | HR 3709 | Regarding Internet Taxation | Bill Passed - House (352 - 75) |
Nov. 3, 1999 | National | HR 3194 | District of Columbia FY2000 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (216 - 210) |
Nov. 2, 1999 | National | HR 3064 | DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 48) |
Oct. 28, 1999 | National | HR 3064 | DC/Labor/HHS/Education FY 2000 Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 211) |
Oct. 14, 1999 | National | HR 3064 | District of Columbia Appropriations Act, FY 2000 | Bill Passed - House (211 - 205) |
June 17, 1999 | National | H Amdt 200 | Ten Commandments Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 180) |
Oct. 8, 1998 | National | S 442 | Internet Tax Freedom bill | Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 2) |
Aug. 7, 1998 | National | HR 4380 | District of Columbia FY99 Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (214 - 206) |
Aug. 6, 1998 | National | H Amdt 862 | Federal Campaign Finance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (147 - 222) |
Aug. 6, 1998 | National | H Amdt 865 | Abortion Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (180 - 243) |
Aug. 3, 1998 | National | H Amdt 690 | Shays Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 186) |
July 15, 1998 | National | HR 3682 | Child Custody Protection Act | Bill Passed - House (276 - 150) |
May 22, 1998 | National | HR 2400 | Transportation Reauthorization bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5) |