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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Jan. 19, 2011 National HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
Jan. 25, 2011 National H Res 38 Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165)
Jan. 26, 2011 National HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
Feb. 17, 2011 National HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
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)
Feb. 19, 2011 National HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (235 - 189)
Feb. 16, 2011 National H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 95 Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185)
Feb. 19, 2011 National H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 94 Prohibits Funds for the Gainful Employment Rule Amendment Adopted - House (289 - 136)
Feb. 17, 2011 National H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
Feb. 15, 2011 National H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
Feb. 18, 2011 National H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
March 1, 2011 National H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - House (335 - 91)
March 3, 2011 National HR 4 Repeals the Form 1099 Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (314 - 112)
March 10, 2011 National HR 830 Terminating the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program Bill Passed - House (256 - 171)
March 11, 2011 National HR 836 Terminating the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 177)
March 16, 2011 National HR 861 Terminating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 182)
March 15, 2011 National H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - House (271 - 158)
March 17, 2011 National HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
March 17, 2011 National H Con Res 28 Removing Troops from Afghanistan Joint Resolution Failed - House (93 - 321)
March 29, 2011 National HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
April 1, 2011 National HR 658 Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (223 - 196)
April 1, 2011 National H Amdt 232 Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209)
April 1, 2011 National HR 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 202)
April 7, 2011 National HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (247 - 181)
April 7, 2011 National HR 910 Energy Tax Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 172)
April 9, 2011 National HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70)
April 14, 2011 National HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
April 13, 2011 National HR 1217 Repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund Bill Passed - House (236 - 183)
April 15, 2011 National H Con Res 34 2011-2012 Budget Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 193)
April 8, 2011 National H J Res 37 Disapproving FCC Rules Concerning Internet Providers Joint Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
March 30, 2011 National HR 471 School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. Bill Passed - House (225 - 195)
May 5, 2011 National HR 1230 Offshore Leasing Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 149)
May 4, 2011 National HR 1214 Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
May 3, 2011 National HR 1213 Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges Bill Passed - House (238 - 183)
May 4, 2011 National HR 3 Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Bill Passed - House (251 - 175)
May 26, 2011 National S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 153)
May 31, 2011 National HR 1954 Increasing the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - House (97 - 318)
June 2, 2011 National HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 385 Prohibiting Funds From Being Used in Contradiction to the War Powers Resolution Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 213)
June 3, 2011 National H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
June 3, 2011 National H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
June 2, 2011 National H Amdt 406 Transportation Security Administration Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204)
June 13, 2011 National H Amdt 414 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 163)
June 24, 2011 National H J Res 68 Authorizes Limited Use of US Armed Forces in Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (123 - 295)
June 24, 2011 National HR 2278 Limits the Use of Funds in Support of NATO Operations in Libya Bill Failed - House (180 - 238)
July 12, 2011 National HR 2417 Repeals Energy Efficiency Standards for Incandescent Light Bulbs Motion Rejected - House (233 - 193)
July 13, 2011 National HR 2018 Amending Clean Water Laws Bill Passed - House (239 - 184)
July 19, 2011 National HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (234 - 190)
July 20, 2011 National HR 2553 Airport and Airway Extension Act Bill Passed - House (243 - 177)
July 22, 2011 National HR 2551 2011-2012 Congressional Budget Bill Passed - House (252 - 159)
July 21, 2011 National HR 1315 Oversight of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Bill Passed - House (241 - 173)
July 27, 2011 National H Amdt 735 Repeals Laws that Limited Funding for the Endangered Species Act Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 202)
July 29, 2011 National S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
Aug. 1, 2011 National S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (269 - 161)
June 23, 2011 National HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (304 - 117)
June 22, 2011 National HR 2021 Impact of Drilling on Air Quality Bill Passed - House (253 - 166)
Sept. 14, 2011 National H J Res 77 Disapproval of the President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (232 - 186)
Sept. 23, 2011 National HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 203)
Sept. 21, 2011 National HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Failed - House (195 - 230)
Sept. 23, 2011 National H Amdt 799 Suspends Cross State Air Pollution Rule Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 188)
Sept. 23, 2011 National H Amdt 800 Requires the EPA to Consider Costs and Feasibility of Air Quality Standards Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 192)
Sept. 15, 2011 National HR 2587 National Labor Relations Board Prohibitions Bill Passed - House (238 - 186)
Oct. 4, 2011 National HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (352 - 66)
Oct. 6, 2011 National HR 2681 Repeals EPA Emissions Regulations for Cement Manufacturers Bill Passed - House (262 - 161)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3080 Free Trade Agreement with Korea Bill Passed - House (278 - 151)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3079 Trade Promotion Agreement with Panama Bill Passed - House (300 - 129)
Oct. 12, 2011 National HR 3078 Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
Oct. 13, 2011 National HR 358 Amends Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to Prohibit Abortion Coverage Bill Passed - House (251 - 172)
Oct. 14, 2011 National HR 2273 Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act Bill Passed - House (267 - 144)
Oct. 26, 2011 National HR 1904 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
Oct. 27, 2011 National HR 2576 Requires Inclusion of Social Security Benefits in Calculation of Modified Adjusted Gross Income Bill Passed - House (262 - 157)
Nov. 1, 2011 National H Con Res 13 Encourages Display of "In God We Trust" in Public Buildings and Schools Joint Resolution Passed - House (396 - 9)
Nov. 3, 2011 National HR 2930 Authorizes Crowdfunding for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (407 - 17)
Nov. 3, 2011 National H Amdt 853 Requires Crowdfunding Intermediaries to Disclose Methods of Compensation to Investors Amendment Rejected - House (189 - 234)
Nov. 3, 2011 National H Amdt 849 Requires Public Disclosure of Bonuses and Golden Parachute Arrangements Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 234)
Nov. 16, 2011 National HR 822 Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - House (272 - 154)
Nov. 18, 2011 National H J Res 2 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Joint Resolution Failed - House (261 - 165)
Nov. 17, 2011 National HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121)
Nov. 30, 2011 National HR 3094 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
Dec. 1, 2011 National HR 3463 Repeals Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (235 - 190)
Dec. 1, 2011 National HR 527 Increases Requirements for Agencies that Promulgate Regulations Affecting Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (263 - 159)
Dec. 2, 2011 National HR 3010 Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies Bill Passed - House (253 - 167)
Dec. 7, 2011 National HR 10 Congressional Approval of Regulations Bill Passed - House (241 - 184)
Dec. 8, 2011 National HR 1633 Limits Regulation of Farm Dust Bill Passed - House (268 - 150)
Nov. 29, 2011 National HR 3012 Repeals Certain Green Cards Limitations Bill Passed - House (389 - 15)
Dec. 13, 2011 National HR 3630 Reduces Payroll Taxes and Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (234 - 193)
Dec. 14, 2011 National HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
Dec. 16, 2011 National HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 121)
Dec. 20, 2011 National HR 3630 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/19 HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
1/25 H Res 38 Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165)
1/26 HR 359 Abolishing Federal Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (239 - 160)
2/17 HR 514 Extension of Various USA PATRIOT Act Provisions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 143)
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)
2/19 HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (235 - 189)
2/16 H Amdt 16 Reducing Navy and Air Force Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (233 - 198)
2/18 H Amdt 95 Prohibiting Use of Federal Funds For Planned Parenthood Amendment Adopted - House (240 - 185)
2/19 H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
2/18 H Amdt 94 Prohibits Funds for the Gainful Employment Rule Amendment Adopted - House (289 - 136)
2/17 H Amdt 69 Reducing Federal Funding of the US Institute of Peace Amendment Adopted - House (268 - 163)
2/15 H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
2/18 H Amdt 92 Prohibiting the Use of Federal Funds for NASCAR Sponsorships Amendment Rejected - House (148 - 281)
3/01 H J Res 44 Continuing Appropriations Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - House (335 - 91)
3/03 HR 4 Repeals the Form 1099 Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (314 - 112)
3/10 HR 830 Terminating the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program Bill Passed - House (256 - 171)
3/11 HR 836 Terminating the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 177)
3/16 HR 861 Terminating the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Bill Passed - House (242 - 182)
3/15 H J Res 48 Additional Continuing Appropriations Joint Resolution Passed - House (271 - 158)
3/17 HR 1076 Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
3/17 H Con Res 28 Removing Troops from Afghanistan Joint Resolution Failed - House (93 - 321)
3/29 HR 839 Terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program Bill Passed - House (252 - 170)
4/01 HR 658 Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (223 - 196)
4/01 H Amdt 232 Amending FAA Rulemaking Activities Amendment Adopted - House (215 - 209)
4/01 HR 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 202)
4/07 HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (247 - 181)
4/07 HR 910 Energy Tax Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (255 - 172)
4/09 HR 1363 2011 Department of Defense Budget and Additional Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (348 - 70)
4/14 HR 1473 2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (260 - 167)
4/13 HR 1217 Repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund Bill Passed - House (236 - 183)
4/15 H Con Res 34 2011-2012 Budget Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 193)
4/08 H J Res 37 Disapproving FCC Rules Concerning Internet Providers Joint Resolution Passed - House (240 - 179)
3/30 HR 471 School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. Bill Passed - House (225 - 195)
5/05 HR 1230 Offshore Leasing Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 149)
5/04 HR 1214 Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
5/03 HR 1213 Repealing Funding for State Health Benefit Exchanges Bill Passed - House (238 - 183)
5/04 HR 3 Prohibiting Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Bill Passed - House (251 - 175)
5/26 S 990 PATRIOT Act Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (250 - 153)
5/31 HR 1954 Increasing the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - House (97 - 318)
6/02 HR 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (231 - 188)
6/02 H Amdt 385 Prohibiting Funds From Being Used in Contradiction to the War Powers Resolution Amendment Rejected - House (208 - 213)
6/03 H Res 292 Ground Forces in Libya Resolution Passed - House (268 - 145)
6/02 H Amdt 398 Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Transportation Security Administration Collective Bargaining Amendment Adopted - House (218 - 205)
6/03 H Con Res 51 Removing Armed Forces from Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (148 - 265)
6/02 H Amdt 406 Transportation Security Administration Appropriations Amendment Adopted - House (219 - 204)
6/13 H Amdt 414 Prohibits Use of Funds in Contravention of the War Powers Resolution Amendment Adopted - House (248 - 163)
6/24 H J Res 68 Authorizes Limited Use of US Armed Forces in Libya Joint Resolution Failed - House (123 - 295)
6/24 HR 2278 Limits the Use of Funds in Support of NATO Operations in Libya Bill Failed - House (180 - 238)
7/12 HR 2417 Repeals Energy Efficiency Standards for Incandescent Light Bulbs Motion Rejected - House (233 - 193)
7/13 HR 2018 Amending Clean Water Laws Bill Passed - House (239 - 184)
7/19 HR 2560 Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (234 - 190)
7/20 HR 2553 Airport and Airway Extension Act Bill Passed - House (243 - 177)
7/22 HR 2551 2011-2012 Congressional Budget Bill Passed - House (252 - 159)
7/21 HR 1315 Oversight of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Bill Passed - House (241 - 173)
7/27 H Amdt 735 Repeals Laws that Limited Funding for the Endangered Species Act Amendment Adopted - House (224 - 202)
7/29 S 627 Increasing the Debt Ceiling (Boehner Bill) Bill Passed - House (218 - 210)
8/01 S 365 Budget Control Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (269 - 161)
6/23 HR 1249 Patent Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (304 - 117)
6/22 HR 2021 Impact of Drilling on Air Quality Bill Passed - House (253 - 166)
9/14 H J Res 77 Disapproval of the President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (232 - 186)
9/23 HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 203)
9/21 HR 2608 Stopgap Spending and Disaster Relief Concurrence Vote Failed - House (195 - 230)
9/23 H Amdt 799 Suspends Cross State Air Pollution Rule Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 188)
9/23 H Amdt 800 Requires the EPA to Consider Costs and Feasibility of Air Quality Standards Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 192)
9/15 HR 2587 National Labor Relations Board Prohibitions Bill Passed - House (238 - 186)
10/04 HR 2608 Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (352 - 66)
10/06 HR 2681 Repeals EPA Emissions Regulations for Cement Manufacturers Bill Passed - House (262 - 161)
10/12 HR 3080 Free Trade Agreement with Korea Bill Passed - House (278 - 151)
10/12 HR 3079 Trade Promotion Agreement with Panama Bill Passed - House (300 - 129)
10/12 HR 3078 Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia Bill Passed - House (262 - 167)
10/13 HR 358 Amends Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to Prohibit Abortion Coverage Bill Passed - House (251 - 172)
10/14 HR 2273 Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act Bill Passed - House (267 - 144)
10/26 HR 1904 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
10/27 HR 2576 Requires Inclusion of Social Security Benefits in Calculation of Modified Adjusted Gross Income Bill Passed - House (262 - 157)
11/01 H Con Res 13 Encourages Display of "In God We Trust" in Public Buildings and Schools Joint Resolution Passed - House (396 - 9)
11/03 HR 2930 Authorizes Crowdfunding for Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (407 - 17)
11/03 H Amdt 853 Requires Crowdfunding Intermediaries to Disclose Methods of Compensation to Investors Amendment Rejected - House (189 - 234)
11/03 H Amdt 849 Requires Public Disclosure of Bonuses and Golden Parachute Arrangements Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 234)
11/16 HR 822 Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - House (272 - 154)
11/18 H J Res 2 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Joint Resolution Failed - House (261 - 165)
11/17 HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121)
11/30 HR 3094 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (235 - 188)
12/01 HR 3463 Repeals Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (235 - 190)
12/01 HR 527 Increases Requirements for Agencies that Promulgate Regulations Affecting Small Businesses Bill Passed - House (263 - 159)
12/02 HR 3010 Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies Bill Passed - House (253 - 167)
12/07 HR 10 Congressional Approval of Regulations Bill Passed - House (241 - 184)
12/08 HR 1633 Limits Regulation of Farm Dust Bill Passed - House (268 - 150)
11/29 HR 3012 Repeals Certain Green Cards Limitations Bill Passed - House (389 - 15)
12/13 HR 3630 Reduces Payroll Taxes and Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (234 - 193)
12/14 HR 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136)
12/16 HR 2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 Conference Report Adopted - House (296 - 121)
12/20 HR 3630 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193)

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