John Kerry: Candidate in the Making
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Kerry's voting record in the US Senate

R-53 D-47
99th Congress
1985-86
President: Reagan

Gramm-Rudman bill
Limits on federal deficit — Passed 61-31
Kerry vote: Yes

Contra aid
Provide $100 million to Nicaraguan rebels — Passed 53-47.
Kerry vote: No

Kerry's votes on key bills:
With Democrats: 73%
On winning side: 50%
   
R-45 D-55
100th Congress
1987-88
President: Reagan

Abortions
Allow federally funded hospitals and schools to refuse to perform abortions or cover them in health plans — Passed 56-39.
Kerry vote: No

Robert Bork
Approve his nomination to the Supreme Court — Rejected 58-42.
Kerry vote: No

Kerry's votes on key bills:
With Democrats: 100%
On winning side: 42%
R-45 D-55
101st Congress
1989-91
President: Bush

Firearms ban
Remove restrictions on the manufacture, sale, or possession of certain semi-automatic weapons — Rejected 52-48.
Kerry vote: No

B-2 bomber
Cancel funding — Rejected 53-45.
Kerry vote: Yes

Kerry's votes on key bills:
With Democrats: 92%
On winning side: 50%
   
R-44 D-56
102nd Congress
1991-92
President: Bush

Gulf War
Permit the use of US forces — Passed 52-47.
Kerry vote: No

Limit death row appeals
— Passed 58-40.
Kerry vote: No

Kerry's votes on key bills:
With Democrats: 100%
On winning side: 58%
R-43 D-57
103rd Congress
1993-94
President: Clinton

NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement — Passed 61-38.
Kerry vote: Yes

Missile for Trident submarines
Reduce funding — Rejected 60-40.
Kerry vote: Yes

Kerry's votes on key bills:
With Democrats: 83%
On winning side: 67%
   
R-52 D-48
104th Congress
1995-96
President: Clinton

Minimum wage
Increase from $4.25 to $5.15 — Passed 74-24.
Kerry vote: Yes

Welfare reform
A bill including a 5-year restriction on benefits and a requirement that recipients find work within 2 years — Passed 74-24.
Kerry vote: Yes

Kerry's votes on key bills:
With Democrats: 100%
On winning side: 67%
R-55 D-45
105th Congress
1997-98
President: Clinton

Education IRAs
Allow education savings accounts to cover private school expenses — Passed 59-36.
Kerry vote: No

Chemical weapons treaty
Ratify the treaty banning chemical weapons — Passed 74-26.
Kerry vote: Yes

Kerry's votes on key bills:
With Democrats: 100%
On winning side: 58%
   
R-55 D-45
106th Congress
1999-2000
President: Clinton

Medicare drug costs
Establish prescription drug benefits for Medicare recipients — Passed 51-49.
Kerry vote: Yes

Movie violence
Require federal review of movies or TV shows produced on government property — Passed 66-34.
Kerry vote: Yes

Kerry's votes on key bills:
With Democrats: 92%
On winning side: 42%
R-50, 49 D-50
107th Congress
2001-2002
President: Bush


Tax cut
$1 trillion in tax cuts, including the repeal of the estate tax — Passed 51-50.
Kerry vote: No

Iraq resolution
Authorize the president to send US troops to Iraq — Passed 77-23.
Kerry vote: Yes

Almanac of American Congress not available for 107th Congress

    SOURCE: Globe analysis of The Almanac of American Politics, which lists votes on 12 key bills during each session of Congress.
Compiled by Kathleen Hennrikus