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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 1, 2022 | National | H Con Res 119 | Providing for a Correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100. | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (52 - 43) |
June 13, 1996 | National | H Con Res 178 | Fiscal Year 1997 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
May 12, 1994 | National | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 46) |
March 25, 1994 | National | H Con Res 218 | Budget Resolution | Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 40) |
April 13, 2000 | National | H Con Res 290 | Congressional Budget resolution FY 2001 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (50 - 48) |
April 7, 2000 | National | H Con Res 290 | Congressional Budget resolution FY 2001 | Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 45) |
May 25, 2011 | National | H Con Res 34 | 2011-2012 Budget | Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 57) |
April 1, 1993 | National | H Con Res 64 | Fiscal 1994 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (55 - 45) |
June 29, 1995 | National | H Con Res 67 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 46) |
May 25, 1995 | National | H Con Res 67 | Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution - Adoption | Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 42) |
April 15, 1999 | National | H Con Res 68 | Congressional Budget Resolution, FY 2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
March 25, 1999 | National | H Con Res 68 | Congressional Budget Resolution, FY 2000 | Resolution Passed - Senate (55 - 44) |
Oct. 19, 2017 | National | H Con Res 71 | Establishing the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2018 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years 2019 through 2027 | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49) |
May 10, 2001 | National | H Con Res 83 | Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 47) |
June 5, 1997 | National | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22) |
May 23, 1997 | National | H Con Res 84 | Budget Resolution FY1999-2000 | Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
April 28, 2005 | National | H Con Res 95 | Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47) |
April 11, 2003 | National | H Con Res 95 | Congressional Budget for fiscal year 2004 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 50) |
June 6, 1996 | National | H J Res 1 | Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (64 - 35) |
March 2, 1995 | National | H J Res 1 | Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (65 - 35) |
Dec. 1, 2022 | National | H J Res 100 | To provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees. | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (80 - 15) |
Oct. 24, 2017 | National | H J Res 111 | Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Arbitration Agreements" | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 50) |
Oct. 11, 2002 | National | H J Res 114 | Use of Military Force Against Iraq | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (77 - 23) |
Sept. 22, 2012 | National | H J Res 117 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 30) |
Nov. 16, 1995 | National | H J Res 122 | Continuing Appropriation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 37) |
Sept. 18, 2014 | National | H J Res 124 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (78 - 22) |
Feb. 13, 2003 | National | H J Res 2 | Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 20) |
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) |
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 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. 14, 2019 | National | H J Res 31 | Making further continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (83 - 16) |
Feb. 2, 2017 | National | H J Res 38 | Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of the Interior Known as the Stream Protection Rule | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (54 - 45) |
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) |
Feb. 15, 2017 | National | H J Res 40 | Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (57 - 43) |
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) |
March 30, 2017 | National | H J Res 43 | Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services Relating to Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 50) |
June 22, 2023 | National | H J Res 44 | Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'". | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (49 - 50) |
March 2, 2011 | National | H J Res 44 | Continuing Appropriations Amendments | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (91 - 9) |
June 1, 2023 | National | H J Res 45 | Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans". | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 46) |
Jan. 28, 2010 | National | H J Res 45 | Increasing the Public Debt Limit and Reinstating PAYGO | Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39) |
March 14, 2019 | National | H J Res 46 | Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019 | Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 41) |
March 16, 2006 | National | H J Res 47 | Debt Limit Increase Resolution | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (52 - 48) |
March 17, 2011 | National | H J Res 48 | Additional Continuing Appropriations | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (87 - 13) |
Dec. 18, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36) |
Sept. 30, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46) |
Sept. 30, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46) |
Sept. 27, 2013 | National | H J Res 59 | Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 | Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44) |
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) |
March 29, 2023 | National | H J Res 7 | Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (68 - 23) |
March 11, 2020 | National | H J Res 76 | Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Borrower Defense Institutional Accountability" | Bill Passed - Senate (53 - 42) |
May 24, 2016 | National | H J Res 88 | Disapproving the Rule Submitted by the Department of Labor Relating to the Definition of the Term "Fiduciary" | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (56 - 41) |
April 10, 2024 | National | H J Res 98 | Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status". | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (50 - 48) |
Jan. 26, 2012 | National | H J Res 98 | Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
Nov. 25, 2003 | National | HR 1 | Medicare Prescription Drug bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
Dec. 18, 2001 | National | HR 1 | No Child Left Behind Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (87 - 10) |
July 26, 2007 | National | HR 1 | Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8) |
Feb. 4, 1993 | National | HR 1 | Family & Medical Leave Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (71 - 27) |
Dec. 20, 2017 | National | HR 1 | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 48) |
Feb. 13, 2009 | National | HR 1 | Appropriations, Tax Law Amendments, and Unemployment Benefit Amendments ("Stimulus Bill") | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 38) |
Dec. 2, 2017 | National | HR 1 | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act | Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 49) |
Feb. 10, 2009 | National | HR 1 | Appropriations, Tax Law Amendments, and Unemployment Benefit Amendments ("Stimulus Bill") | Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 37) |
March 9, 2011 | National | HR 1 | Continuing Appropriations | Bill Failed - Senate (44 - 56) |
April 16, 1997 | National | HR 1003 | Assisted Suicide Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 0) |
Nov. 20, 1993 | National | HR 1025 | Brady Handgun Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (63 - 36) |
Dec. 22, 1995 | National | HR 1058 | Legal Reform bill | Veto Override Passed - Senate (68 - 30) |
Dec. 5, 1995 | National | HR 1058 | Legal Reform bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (65 - 30) |
June 28, 1995 | National | HR 1058 | Legal Reform bill | Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30) |
Nov. 6, 1997 | National | HR 1119 | Defense Department FY98-99 Authorization bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (90 - 10) |
Sept. 18, 1998 | National | HR 1122 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill | Veto Override Failed - Senate (64 - 36) |
May 20, 1997 | National | HR 1122 | Partial-Birth/Late-Term Abortion bill | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 36) |
May 20, 1999 | National | HR 1141 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations-Conference Report | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 36) |
May 25, 1995 | National | HR 1158 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (61 - 38) |
Dec. 19, 2019 | National | HR 1158 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 11) |
Sept. 8, 2011 | National | HR 1249 | Patent Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (89 - 9) |
June 11, 2009 | National | HR 1256 | FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products | Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 17) |
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) |
Sept. 23, 2004 | National | HR 1308 | Child Tax Credit Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 3) |
Oct. 29, 2015 | National | HR 1314 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 35) |
May 12, 2015 | National | HR 1314 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46) |
March 6, 2021 | National | HR 1319 | American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 49) |
July 23, 2019 | National | HR 1327 | Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act | Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2) |
Dec. 21, 2020 | National | HR 133 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (92 - 6) |
May 13, 2004 | National | HR 1350 | Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act | Bill Passed - Senate (95 - 3) |
May 5, 1998 | National | HR 1385 | Training Programs bill | Bill Passed - Senate (91 - 7) |
March 26, 2009 | National | HR 1388 | National Volunteer Program Expansion | Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 19) |
Oct. 1, 2008 | National | HR 1424 | Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (74 - 25) |
Dec. 15, 2022 | National | HR 1437 | Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 19) |
March 19, 2009 | National | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20) |
June 5, 1997 | National | HR 1469 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (67 - 31) |
April 14, 2011 | National | HR 1473 | 2011 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 19) |
Nov. 8, 2007 | National | HR 1495 | Water Resources Development Act of 2007 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (79 - 14) |
Jan. 28, 2013 | National | HR 152 | Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 | Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36) |
Dec. 19, 1995 | National | HR 1530 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 43) |
Sept. 6, 1995 | National | HR 1530 | Authorization bill FY96, Defense Department | Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 34) |
Dec. 15, 2011 | National | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (86 - 13) |
March 28, 1996 | National | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 44) |
Dec. 14, 1995 | National | HR 1561 | Authorization bill, FY96-97, Foreign Relations | Bill Passed - Senate (82 - 16) |
Oct. 1, 2007 | National | HR 1585 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 | Bill Passed - Senate (92 - 3) |
Aug. 5, 2010 | National | HR 1586 | Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (61 - 39) |