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National Constitution 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.

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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 23, 2011 National S 1038 PATRIOT Act Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 8)
March 2, 2011 National S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
Feb. 17, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
Feb. 15, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
Feb. 8, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
July 9, 2008 National S Amdt 5064 Striking Telecom Immunity from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Bill Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 66)
July 9, 2008 National HR 6304 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 28)
June 20, 2008 National HR 6304 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Bill Passed - House (293 - 129)
March 14, 2008 National HR 3773 Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (213 - 197)
Feb. 12, 2008 National S Amdt 3907 Striking Telecommunications Companies' Civil Immunity for Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate (31 - 67)
Feb. 12, 2008 National S Amdt 3910 FISA as Exclusive Means for Conducting Electronic Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 41)
Feb. 12, 2008 National S 2248 FISA Amendments Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 29)
Nov. 15, 2007 National HR 3773 Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 189)
Oct. 16, 2007 National HR 2102 Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines Bill Passed - House (398 - 21)
Sept. 19, 2007 National S Amdt 2022 Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
Aug. 5, 2007 National HR 3222 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2008 Bill Passed - House (395 - 13)
July 19, 2007 National S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
May 17, 2007 National H Amdt 197 Guantanamo Transfer Plan Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 208)
Sept. 29, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Sept. 28, 2006 National S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Sept. 20, 2006 National HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
July 19, 2006 National HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
July 18, 2006 National H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
July 13, 2006 National HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
June 27, 2006 National S J Res 12 Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment Resolution Failed - Senate (66 - 34)
June 7, 2006 National S J Res 1 Same Sex Marriage Resolution Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48)
March 2, 2006 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
Dec. 16, 2005 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Dec. 14, 2005 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 174)
Nov. 2, 2005 National HR 1606 Online Freedom of Speech Act Bill Failed - House (225 - 182)
July 21, 2005 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Motion Rejected - House (209 - 218)
July 21, 2005 National HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (257 - 171)
June 22, 2005 National H J Res 10 Flag Desecration Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (286 - 130)
June 17, 2005 National HR 2745 United Nations Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 184)
June 15, 2005 National H Amdt 280 Patriot Act Amendment - Library Records Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 187)
March 8, 2005 National S Amdt 47 Violent Protestor Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
July 14, 2004 National S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
June 2, 2004 National H J Res 83 Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353)
June 3, 2003 National H J Res 4 Flag Burning Resolution Bill Passed - House (300 - 125)
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)
April 11, 2002 National S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
Feb. 27, 2002 National S Amdt 2937 Allowing Signatures for Voter Registration by Mail Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (46 - 51)
Oct. 25, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
Oct. 24, 2001 National HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
Oct. 12, 2001 National HR 2975 Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (337 - 79)
July 17, 2001 National H J Res 36 Flag Burning Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (298 - 125)
June 20, 2000 National S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
March 29, 2000 National S J Res 14 Flag Desecration amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37)
June 24, 1999 National H J Res 33 Flag Desecration Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (305 - 124)
July 30, 1998 National H Amdt 747 Voter Registration Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 260)
July 22, 1998 National S Amdt 3263 Phone Recording Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
June 4, 1998 National H J Res 78 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - House (224 - 203)
April 22, 1998 National H J Res 111 Tax Limitation Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - House (238 - 186)
June 12, 1997 National H J Res 54 Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (310 - 114)
June 6, 1996 National H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (64 - 35)
April 23, 1996 National S J Res 21 Term Limits bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
Dec. 12, 1995 National S J Res 31 Flag Desecration Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 36)
June 28, 1995 National H J Res 79 Flag Desecration bill Joint Resolution Passed - House (312 - 120)
June 6, 1995 National S Amdt 1215 Anti-terrorism Wiretaps Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (77 - 19)
March 2, 1995 National H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (65 - 35)
Feb. 8, 1995 National HR 666 Admission of Evidence Seized Without a Warrant in Certain Conditions Bill Passed - House (289 - 142)
Jan. 26, 1995 National H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (300 - 132)
May 12, 1994 National S 636 Abortion Clinic Access bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 30)
May 5, 1994 National S 636 Abortion Clinic Access bill Conference Report Adopted - House (241 - 174)
March 17, 1994 National H J Res 103 Balanced Budget Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - House (271 - 153)
March 1, 1994 National S J Res 41 Balanced Budget amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37)
May 11, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 36)
May 5, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 164)
March 17, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
Feb. 4, 1993 National HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (259 - 160)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/23 S 1038 PATRIOT Act Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (74 - 8)
3/02 S Amdt 115 Calling for a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 40)
2/17 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
2/15 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (86 - 12)
2/14 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Passed - House (275 - 144)
2/08 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Bill Failed - House (277 - 148)
7/09 S Amdt 5064 Striking Telecom Immunity from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Bill Amendment Rejected - Senate (32 - 66)
7/09 HR 6304 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 28)
6/20 HR 6304 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Bill Passed - House (293 - 129)
3/14 HR 3773 Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (213 - 197)
2/12 S Amdt 3907 Striking Telecommunications Companies' Civil Immunity for Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate (31 - 67)
2/12 S Amdt 3910 FISA as Exclusive Means for Conducting Electronic Surveillance Amendment Rejected - Senate (57 - 41)
2/12 S 2248 FISA Amendments Act of 2007 Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 29)
11/15 HR 3773 Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 189)
10/16 HR 2102 Reporter's Source Confidentiality Guidelines Bill Passed - House (398 - 21)
9/19 S Amdt 2022 Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 43)
8/05 HR 3222 Department of Defense Appropriations, Fiscal Year 2008 Bill Passed - House (395 - 13)
7/19 S Amdt 2351 Sense of the Senate on Guantanamo Bay Detainees Amendment Adopted - Senate (94 - 3)
5/17 H Amdt 197 Guantanamo Transfer Plan Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 208)
9/29 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (250 - 170)
9/28 S Amdt 5095 Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
9/28 S Amdt 5087 Habeas Review Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
9/28 S 3930 Military Commissions Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
9/20 HR 4844 Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (228 - 196)
7/19 HR 2389 Pledge Protection Act of 2006 Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
7/18 H J Res 88 Same-Sex Marriage Resolution Joint Resolution Failed - House (236 - 187)
7/13 HR 9 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (390 - 33)
6/27 S J Res 12 Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment Resolution Failed - Senate (66 - 34)
6/07 S J Res 1 Same Sex Marriage Resolution Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (49 - 48)
3/02 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
12/16 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
12/14 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 174)
11/02 HR 1606 Online Freedom of Speech Act Bill Failed - House (225 - 182)
7/21 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Motion Rejected - House (209 - 218)
7/21 HR 3199 PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (257 - 171)
6/22 H J Res 10 Flag Desecration Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (286 - 130)
6/17 HR 2745 United Nations Reform Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (221 - 184)
6/15 H Amdt 280 Patriot Act Amendment - Library Records Amendment Adopted - House (238 - 187)
3/08 S Amdt 47 Violent Protestor Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
7/14 S J Res 40 Federal Marriage Amendment Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (48 - 50)
6/02 H J Res 83 Special Elections/Appointments Provisions Bill Joint Resolution Failed - House (63 - 353)
6/03 H J Res 4 Flag Burning Resolution Bill Passed - House (300 - 125)
10/16 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
10/10 HR 3295 Help America Vote Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (357 - 48)
4/11 S 565 Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
2/27 S Amdt 2937 Allowing Signatures for Voter Registration by Mail Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (46 - 51)
10/25 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - Senate (98 - 1)
10/24 HR 3162 USA Patriot Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (357 - 66)
10/12 HR 2975 Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 Bill Passed - House (337 - 79)
7/17 H J Res 36 Flag Burning Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (298 - 125)
6/20 S Amdt 3473 Hate Crimes Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (57 - 42)
3/29 S J Res 14 Flag Desecration amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37)
6/24 H J Res 33 Flag Desecration Resolution Joint Resolution Passed - House (305 - 124)
7/30 H Amdt 747 Voter Registration Amendment Amendment Rejected - House (165 - 260)
7/22 S Amdt 3263 Phone Recording Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (50 - 50)
6/04 H J Res 78 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - House (224 - 203)
4/22 H J Res 111 Tax Limitation Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - House (238 - 186)
6/12 H J Res 54 Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (310 - 114)
6/06 H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (64 - 35)
4/23 S J Res 21 Term Limits bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
12/12 S J Res 31 Flag Desecration Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 36)
6/28 H J Res 79 Flag Desecration bill Joint Resolution Passed - House (312 - 120)
6/06 S Amdt 1215 Anti-terrorism Wiretaps Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (77 - 19)
3/02 H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (65 - 35)
2/08 HR 666 Admission of Evidence Seized Without a Warrant in Certain Conditions Bill Passed - House (289 - 142)
1/26 H J Res 1 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (300 - 132)
5/12 S 636 Abortion Clinic Access bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (69 - 30)
5/05 S 636 Abortion Clinic Access bill Conference Report Adopted - House (241 - 174)
3/17 H J Res 103 Balanced Budget Amendment Joint Resolution Failed - House (271 - 153)
3/01 S J Res 41 Balanced Budget amendment Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (63 - 37)
5/11 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (62 - 36)
5/05 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - House (259 - 164)
3/17 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
2/04 HR 2 Motor Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (259 - 160)
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