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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 23, 2007 | National | HR 3043 | Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19) |
July 27, 2007 | National | HR 2419 | Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) | Bill Passed - House (231 - 191) |
July 19, 2007 | National | HR 3043 | Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies | Bill Passed - House (276 - 140) |
July 11, 2007 | National | S 1701 | Extension of Funding for Transitional Medical Assistance and Abstinence Education | Bill Passed - House (291 - 126) |
May 17, 2007 | National | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 209) |
May 17, 2007 | National | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40) |
March 23, 2007 | National | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
Jan. 12, 2007 | National | HR 4 | Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act | Bill Passed - House (255 - 170) |
May 23, 2006 | National | HR 5384 | Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (378 - 46) |
March 16, 2006 | National | S Amdt 3074 | LIHEAP Funding Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49) |
March 16, 2006 | National | S Con Res 83 | 2007 Budget Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49) |
Feb. 2, 2006 | National | S Amdt 2730 | Medicare Part D Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 45) |
Feb. 1, 2006 | National | H Res 653 | Budget Reconciliation Adoption | Resolution Passed - House (216 - 214) |
Dec. 21, 2005 | National | S Con Res 74 | Removal of ANWR Provision from HR 2863 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 45) |
Dec. 19, 2005 | National | S 1932 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206) |
Dec. 14, 2005 | National | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213) |
Nov. 17, 2005 | National | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224) |
Nov. 3, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2365 | Medical Assistance and Prescription Drug Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 45) |
Nov. 3, 2005 | National | HR 2744 | Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 18) |
Oct. 28, 2005 | National | HR 2744 | Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 63) |
Oct. 27, 2005 | National | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3) |
Oct. 26, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2253 | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53) |
Oct. 26, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2194 | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (54 - 43) |
Oct. 5, 2005 | National | S Amdt 2033 | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 49) |
Sept. 22, 2005 | National | HR 2744 | Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
June 8, 2005 | National | HR 2744 | Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (408 - 18) |
May 11, 2004 | National | S Amdt 3114 | Unemployment Benefits Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (59 - 40) |
June 11, 2003 | National | HR 2350 | Welfare Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (406 - 6) |
Feb. 13, 2003 | National | HR 4 | Welfare Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (230 - 192) |
May 16, 2002 | National | HR 4737 | Temporary Aid to Needy Families | Bill Passed - House (229 - 197) |
May 8, 2002 | National | HR 2646 | Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 35) |
May 2, 2002 | National | HR 2646 | Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141) |
Feb. 13, 2002 | National | HR 2646 | Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 | Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40) |
Oct. 5, 2001 | National | HR 2646 | Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 | Bill Passed - House (291 - 120) |
July 27, 2000 | National | H Amdt 1041 | Social Security Benefits Tax Relief | Amendment Rejected - House (169 - 256) |
July 27, 2000 | National | HR 4865 | Social Security Benefits Tax Relief bill | Bill Passed - House (265 - 159) |
June 29, 2000 | National | S Amdt 3690 | Off-budget Lockbox Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 37) |
June 29, 2000 | National | S Amdt 3689 | Social Security and Medicare Surplus Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 43) |
June 28, 2000 | National | HR 4680 | Medicare Rx bill | Bill Passed - House (217 - 214) |
June 22, 2000 | National | S Amdt 3598 | Outpatient Prescription Drugs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
Oct. 13, 1999 | National | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26) |
Oct. 1, 1999 | National | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (240 - 175) |
June 8, 1999 | National | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (246 - 183) |
Sept. 26, 1998 | National | HR 4579 | Tax Cut bill | Bill Passed - House (229 - 195) |
Sept. 25, 1998 | National | H Amdt 914 | Save Social Security Act Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 216) |
Sept. 25, 1998 | National | HR 4578 | Social Security Account Protection bill | Bill Passed - House (240 - 188) |
May 5, 1998 | National | HR 1385 | Training Programs bill | Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 7) |
April 1, 1998 | National | S Amdt 2169 | Medicare Choices Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 47) |
April 1, 1998 | National | S Amdt 2209 | Personal Retirement Accounts Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49) |
May 16, 1997 | National | HR 1385 | Training Programs bill | Bill Passed - House (343 - 60) |
Aug. 2, 1996 | National | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
Aug. 2, 1996 | National | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (354 - 72) |
Aug. 1, 1996 | National | HR 3734 | Welfare Reform Act of 1996 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 21) |
July 31, 1996 | National | HR 3734 | Welfare Reform Act of 1996 | Conference Report Adopted - House (328 - 101) |
July 23, 1996 | National | HR 3734 | Welfare Reform Act of 1996 | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24) |
July 18, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1307 | Food Stamp Recipient Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (239 - 184) |
July 18, 1996 | National | HR 3734 | Welfare Reform Act of 1996 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 170) |
July 11, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1278 | Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 220) |
July 9, 1996 | National | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24) |
June 6, 1996 | National | H Amdt 1133 | Wisconsin Welfare Reform Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |
June 6, 1996 | National | HR 3562 | Wisconsin Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (289 - 136) |
May 22, 1996 | National | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Bill Passed - House (414 - 10) |
May 2, 1996 | National | S Amdt 3840 | Public Assistance to Legal Immigrants Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 60) |
April 30, 1996 | National | S Amdt 3820 | Legal Immigrants Assistance Eligibility Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53) |
March 20, 1996 | National | H Amdt 968 | Immigrant Public Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (151 - 269) |
March 7, 1996 | National | H Amdt 946 | Medicaid Funded Abortions Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 222) |
Feb. 7, 1996 | National | S 1541 | Farm Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32) |
July 22, 1994 | National | H Amdt 778 | Prohibiting Benefits to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 176) |
July 21, 1994 | National | H Amdt 771 | Limiting Entitlement Program Expenditures | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
10/23 | HR 3043 | Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (75 - 19) |
7/27 | HR 2419 | Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) | Bill Passed - House (231 - 191) |
7/19 | HR 3043 | Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies | Bill Passed - House (276 - 140) |
7/11 | S 1701 | Extension of Funding for Transitional Medical Assistance and Abstinence Education | Bill Passed - House (291 - 126) |
5/17 | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 209) |
5/17 | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 40) |
3/23 | S Con Res 21 | 2008 Budget Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 47) |
1/12 | HR 4 | Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act | Bill Passed - House (255 - 170) |
5/23 | HR 5384 | Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (378 - 46) |
3/16 | S Amdt 3074 | LIHEAP Funding Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49) |
3/16 | S Con Res 83 | 2007 Budget Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 49) |
2/02 | S Amdt 2730 | Medicare Part D Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 45) |
2/01 | H Res 653 | Budget Reconciliation Adoption | Resolution Passed - House (216 - 214) |
12/21 | S Con Res 74 | Removal of ANWR Provision from HR 2863 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 45) |
12/19 | S 1932 | Budget Reconciliation Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (212 - 206) |
12/14 | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (215 - 213) |
11/17 | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Conference Report Rejected - House (209 - 224) |
11/03 | S Amdt 2365 | Medical Assistance and Prescription Drug Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 45) |
11/03 | HR 2744 | Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 18) |
10/28 | HR 2744 | Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act | Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 63) |
10/27 | HR 3010 | Labor, HHS and Education FY 2006 Appropriations Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 3) |
10/26 | S Amdt 2253 | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53) |
10/26 | S Amdt 2194 | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (54 - 43) |
10/05 | S Amdt 2033 | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment | Motion Rejected - Senate (50 - 49) |
9/22 | HR 2744 | Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
6/08 | HR 2744 | Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act | Bill Passed - House (408 - 18) |
5/11 | S Amdt 3114 | Unemployment Benefits Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (59 - 40) |
6/11 | HR 2350 | Welfare Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (406 - 6) |
2/13 | HR 4 | Welfare Reform bill | Bill Passed - House (230 - 192) |
5/16 | HR 4737 | Temporary Aid to Needy Families | Bill Passed - House (229 - 197) |
5/08 | HR 2646 | Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 35) |
5/02 | HR 2646 | Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 | Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141) |
2/13 | HR 2646 | Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 | Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40) |
10/05 | HR 2646 | Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 | Bill Passed - House (291 - 120) |
7/27 | H Amdt 1041 | Social Security Benefits Tax Relief | Amendment Rejected - House (169 - 256) |
7/27 | HR 4865 | Social Security Benefits Tax Relief bill | Bill Passed - House (265 - 159) |
6/29 | S Amdt 3690 | Off-budget Lockbox Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 37) |
6/29 | S Amdt 3689 | Social Security and Medicare Surplus Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 43) |
6/28 | HR 4680 | Medicare Rx bill | Bill Passed - House (217 - 214) |
6/22 | S Amdt 3598 | Outpatient Prescription Drugs Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 53) |
10/13 | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (74 - 26) |
10/01 | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (240 - 175) |
6/08 | HR 1906 | FY 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill | Bill Passed - House (246 - 183) |
9/26 | HR 4579 | Tax Cut bill | Bill Passed - House (229 - 195) |
9/25 | H Amdt 914 | Save Social Security Act Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (210 - 216) |
9/25 | HR 4578 | Social Security Account Protection bill | Bill Passed - House (240 - 188) |
5/05 | HR 1385 | Training Programs bill | Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 7) |
4/01 | S Amdt 2169 | Medicare Choices Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 47) |
4/01 | S Amdt 2209 | Personal Retirement Accounts Amendment | Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49) |
5/16 | HR 1385 | Training Programs bill | Bill Passed - House (343 - 60) |
8/02 | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
8/02 | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (354 - 72) |
8/01 | HR 3734 | Welfare Reform Act of 1996 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (78 - 21) |
7/31 | HR 3734 | Welfare Reform Act of 1996 | Conference Report Adopted - House (328 - 101) |
7/23 | HR 3734 | Welfare Reform Act of 1996 | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24) |
7/18 | H Amdt 1307 | Food Stamp Recipient Amendment | Amendment Adopted - House (239 - 184) |
7/18 | HR 3734 | Welfare Reform Act of 1996 | Bill Passed - House (256 - 170) |
7/11 | H Amdt 1278 | Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (201 - 220) |
7/09 | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 24) |
6/06 | H Amdt 1133 | Wisconsin Welfare Reform Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |
6/06 | HR 3562 | Wisconsin Welfare Reform Bill | Bill Passed - House (289 - 136) |
5/22 | HR 3448 | Minimum Wage Increase bill | Bill Passed - House (414 - 10) |
5/02 | S Amdt 3840 | Public Assistance to Legal Immigrants Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 60) |
4/30 | S Amdt 3820 | Legal Immigrants Assistance Eligibility Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53) |
3/20 | H Amdt 968 | Immigrant Public Assistance Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (151 - 269) |
3/07 | H Amdt 946 | Medicaid Funded Abortions Amendment | Amendment Rejected - House (198 - 222) |
2/07 | S 1541 | Farm Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32) |
7/22 | H Amdt 778 | Prohibiting Benefits to Undocumented Immigrants | Amendment Adopted - House (220 - 176) |
7/21 | H Amdt 771 | Limiting Entitlement Program Expenditures | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233) |