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
Dec. 18, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
Dec. 12, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (332 - 94)
Dec. 11, 2013 National HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
Dec. 5, 2013 National H Amdt 524 Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266)
Dec. 5, 2013 National H Amdt 521 Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213)
Dec. 5, 2013 National HR 3309 Innovation Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 91)
Dec. 4, 2013 National HR 1105 Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 159)
Nov. 21, 2013 National S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Nov. 21, 2013 National H Amdt 513 Removes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Permit Issuance Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 233)
Nov. 21, 2013 National H Amdt 512 Requires Natural Gas Pipeline Applications to Include Certain Information Amendment Rejected - House (183 - 233)
Nov. 21, 2013 National H Amdt 515 Prohibits the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act from Taking Effect During the Sequester Amendment Rejected - House (175 - 243)
Nov. 21, 2013 National HR 1900 Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 165)
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 H Amdt 498 Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 504 Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 503 Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 499 Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228)
Nov. 20, 2013 National HR 2728 Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 187)
Nov. 20, 2013 National HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
Nov. 19, 2013 National S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Nov. 15, 2013 National HR 3350 Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (261 - 157)
Nov. 14, 2013 National HR 2655 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (228 - 195)
Nov. 13, 2013 National HR 982 Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (221 - 199)
Nov. 7, 2013 National S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32)
Nov. 7, 2013 National S Amdt 2013 Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Nov. 4, 2013 National S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 30)
Oct. 30, 2013 National H J Res 99 Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 191)
Oct. 30, 2013 National HR 992 Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (292 - 122)
Oct. 29, 2013 National S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
Oct. 29, 2013 National HR 2374 Retail Investor Protection Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 166)
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. 12, 2013 National S 1569 Default Prevention Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Oct. 11, 2013 National H J Res 76 National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - House (248 - 176)
Oct. 10, 2013 National H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
Oct. 9, 2013 National H J Res 90 Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172)
Oct. 8, 2013 National H J Res 84 Head Start Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (248 - 168)
Oct. 7, 2013 National H J Res 77 Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162)
Oct. 4, 2013 National H J Res 85 Federal Emergency Management Agency Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (247 - 164)
Oct. 4, 2013 National H J Res 75 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (244 - 164)
Oct. 3, 2013 National HR 3230 Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act Bill Passed - House (265 - 160)
Oct. 1, 2013 National H J Res 70 National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176)
Oct. 1, 2013 National H J Res 72 Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (264 - 164)
Oct. 1, 2013 National H J Res 71 District of Columbia Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (265 - 163)
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 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 201)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Sept. 29, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (248 - 174)
Sept. 27, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
Sept. 20, 2013 National HR 1526 Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
Sept. 20, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (230 - 189)
Sept. 18, 2013 National H Amdt 466 Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235)
Sept. 18, 2013 National H Amdt 463 Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241)
Sept. 18, 2013 National HR 761 National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (246 - 178)
Sept. 12, 2013 National HR 2775 No Subsidies Without Verification Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
Aug. 2, 2013 National H Amdt 448 Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176)
Aug. 2, 2013 National H Amdt 450 Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 185)
Aug. 2, 2013 National HR 2009 Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 185)
Aug. 2, 2013 National HR 367 Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 183)
Aug. 1, 2013 National HR 2879 Stop Government Abuse Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 176)
Aug. 1, 2013 National HR 1582 Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 181)
July 25, 2013 National HR 2218 Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (265 - 155)
July 24, 2013 National HR 1911 Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
July 24, 2013 National S Amdt 1778 Limits Interest Rates for Certain Federal Student Loans Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
July 24, 2013 National H Amdt 413 Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the PATRIOT Act Amendment Rejected - House (205 - 217)
July 24, 2013 National HR 2397 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 109)
July 23, 2013 National H Amdt 375 Prohibits the Use of Funds to Appoint Chaplains Without an Endorsing Agency Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
July 17, 2013 National HR 2667 Authority for Mandate Delay Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 161)
July 17, 2013 National HR 2668 Fairness for American Families Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 174)
July 11, 2013 National HR 2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (216 - 208)
June 28, 2013 National HR 2231 Offshore Energy and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
June 27, 2013 National S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
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)
June 20, 2013 National H Amdt 227 Amends the Federal Sugar Program Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/18 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
12/12 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (332 - 94)
12/11 HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
12/05 H Amdt 524 Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266)
12/05 H Amdt 521 Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213)
12/05 HR 3309 Innovation Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 91)
12/04 HR 1105 Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 159)
11/21 S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
11/21 H Amdt 513 Removes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Permit Issuance Requirement Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 233)
11/21 H Amdt 512 Requires Natural Gas Pipeline Applications to Include Certain Information Amendment Rejected - House (183 - 233)
11/21 H Amdt 515 Prohibits the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act from Taking Effect During the Sequester Amendment Rejected - House (175 - 243)
11/21 HR 1900 Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act Bill Passed - House (252 - 165)
11/20 H Amdt 507 Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230)
11/20 H Amdt 498 Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222)
11/20 H Amdt 504 Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226)
11/20 H Amdt 503 Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221)
11/20 H Amdt 499 Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228)
11/20 HR 2728 Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 187)
11/20 HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
11/19 S Amdt 2175 Authorizes the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees to the United States Amendment Rejected - Senate (52 - 46)
11/19 S Amdt 2255 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Guantanamo Detainees Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
11/15 HR 3350 Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (261 - 157)
11/14 HR 2655 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (228 - 195)
11/13 HR 982 Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (221 - 199)
11/07 S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32)
11/07 S Amdt 2013 Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
11/04 S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 30)
10/30 H J Res 99 Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 191)
10/30 HR 992 Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (292 - 122)
10/29 S J Res 26 A Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit, as Submitted Under Section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 Motion Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
10/29 HR 2374 Retail Investor Protection Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 166)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
10/12 S 1569 Default Prevention Act of 2013 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
10/11 H J Res 76 National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - House (248 - 176)
10/10 H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
10/09 H J Res 90 Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172)
10/08 H J Res 84 Head Start Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (248 - 168)
10/07 H J Res 77 Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162)
10/04 H J Res 85 Federal Emergency Management Agency Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (247 - 164)
10/04 H J Res 75 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (244 - 164)
10/03 HR 3230 Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act Bill Passed - House (265 - 160)
10/01 H J Res 70 National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176)
10/01 H J Res 72 Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (264 - 164)
10/01 H J Res 71 District of Columbia Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (265 - 163)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 201)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/29 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (248 - 174)
9/27 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
9/20 HR 1526 Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
9/20 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (230 - 189)
9/18 H Amdt 466 Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235)
9/18 H Amdt 463 Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241)
9/18 HR 761 National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (246 - 178)
9/12 HR 2775 No Subsidies Without Verification Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
8/02 H Amdt 448 Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176)
8/02 H Amdt 450 Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 185)
8/02 HR 2009 Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 185)
8/02 HR 367 Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 183)
8/01 HR 2879 Stop Government Abuse Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 176)
8/01 HR 1582 Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (232 - 181)
7/25 HR 2218 Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (265 - 155)
7/24 HR 1911 Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
7/24 S Amdt 1778 Limits Interest Rates for Certain Federal Student Loans Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 53)
7/24 H Amdt 413 Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the PATRIOT Act Amendment Rejected - House (205 - 217)
7/24 HR 2397 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 109)
7/23 H Amdt 375 Prohibits the Use of Funds to Appoint Chaplains Without an Endorsing Agency Amendment Adopted - House (253 - 173)
7/17 HR 2667 Authority for Mandate Delay Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 161)
7/17 HR 2668 Fairness for American Families Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 174)
7/11 HR 2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (216 - 208)
6/28 HR 2231 Offshore Energy and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
6/27 S 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 32)
6/20 H Amdt 231 Authorizes States to Require Federal Welfare Work Requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 198)
6/20 H Amdt 227 Amends the Federal Sugar Program Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221)

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