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
Dec. 20, 2018 National S 756 First Step Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (358 - 36)
Dec. 18, 2018 National S 756 First Step Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
Nov. 16, 2018 National HR 6784 Manage our Wolves Act Bill Passed - House (196 - 180)
Nov. 14, 2018 National H Res 1142 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6784) to provide for removal of the gray wolf in the contiguous 48 States from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and providing for proceedings during the period from November 19, 2018, through November 26, 2018. Bill Passed - House (201 - 187)
Sept. 17, 2018 National HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
Sept. 7, 2018 National HR 6691 Community Safety and Security Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (247 - 152)
Aug. 23, 2018 National S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
July 11, 2018 National HR 200 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 193)
June 27, 2018 National HR 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (121 - 301)
June 26, 2018 National HR 2083 Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (288 - 116)
June 22, 2018 National HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (396 - 14)
June 21, 2018 National HR 4760 Securing America's Future Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (193 - 231)
June 15, 2018 National HR 2851 SITSA Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 142)
June 14, 2018 National HR 5735 THRIVE Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 173)
May 22, 2018 National S 204 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
May 22, 2018 National HR 5682 FIRST STEP Act Bill Passed - House (360 - 59)
May 16, 2018 National S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
May 16, 2018 National HR 5698 Protect and Serve Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (382 - 35)
May 9, 2018 National HR 2152 Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (221 - 197)
May 8, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - House (234 - 175)
April 27, 2018 National H Res 856 Raising a Question of the Privileges of the House Bill Tabled - House (215 - 171)
April 18, 2018 National S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 21, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
March 21, 2018 National HR 5247 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (259 - 140)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
Feb. 27, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
Feb. 27, 2018 National HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2018 National S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
Feb. 15, 2018 National HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
Jan. 24, 2018 National PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
Jan. 24, 2018 National PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
Jan. 19, 2018 National HR 4712 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 183)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 18, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
Jan. 11, 2018 National S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
Jan. 10, 2018 National S 140 An Act to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund Bill Passed - House (239 - 173)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/20 S 756 First Step Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (358 - 36)
12/18 S 756 First Step Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
11/16 HR 6784 Manage our Wolves Act Bill Passed - House (196 - 180)
11/14 H Res 1142 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6784) to provide for removal of the gray wolf in the contiguous 48 States from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and providing for proceedings during the period from November 19, 2018, through November 26, 2018. Bill Passed - House (201 - 187)
9/17 HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (99 - 1)
9/07 HR 6691 Community Safety and Security Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (247 - 152)
8/23 S Amdt 3967 Senator Rand Paul's Amendment to H.R. 6157 Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 48)
7/11 HR 200 Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act Bill Passed - House (222 - 193)
6/27 HR 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (121 - 301)
6/26 HR 2083 Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act Bill Passed - House (288 - 116)
6/22 HR 6 Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (396 - 14)
6/21 HR 4760 Securing America's Future Act of 2018 Bill Failed - House (193 - 231)
6/15 HR 2851 SITSA Act Bill Passed - House (239 - 142)
6/14 HR 5735 THRIVE Act Bill Passed - House (230 - 173)
5/22 S 204 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (250 - 169)
5/22 HR 5682 FIRST STEP Act Bill Passed - House (360 - 59)
5/16 S J Res 52 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Restoring Internet Freedom" Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 47)
5/16 HR 5698 Protect and Serve Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (382 - 35)
5/09 HR 2152 Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (221 - 197)
5/08 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - House (234 - 175)
4/27 H Res 856 Raising a Question of the Privileges of the House Bill Tabled - House (215 - 171)
4/18 S J Res 57 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Indirect Auto Lending and Compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 47)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/21 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
3/21 HR 5247 Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (259 - 140)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
2/27 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
2/27 HR 1865 Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (388 - 25)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/15 S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
2/15 S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (39 - 60)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/15 S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment) Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
2/15 HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (225 - 192)
1/24 PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Nomination Confirmed - Senate (50 - 49)
1/24 PN 1341 Nomination of Samuel Dale Brownback to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Cloture Invoked - Senate (50 - 49)
1/19 HR 4712 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act Bill Passed - House (241 - 183)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/18 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (65 - 34)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
1/11 S 139 FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017 Bill Passed - House (256 - 164)
1/10 S 140 An Act to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to clarify the use of amounts in the WMAT Settlement Fund Bill Passed - House (239 - 173)

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