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
Feb. 21, 2011 VA SB 1446 Transportation Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38)
Feb. 19, 2011 National HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (235 - 189)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 17, 2011 NJ S2636 Reduction of Toll Road Prices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA SB 1446 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
Feb. 16, 2011 AR HB 1052 Reducing Taxes on Manufacturer Utilities Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2011 AR HB 1002 Capital Gains Reduction Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
Feb. 16, 2011 AZ HB 2001 Tax Reductions for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 16, 2011 AZ HB 2001 Tax Reductions for Businesses Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
Feb. 16, 2011 IA SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Feb. 16, 2011 IA HF 194 Individual Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
Feb. 15, 2011 CA AB 110 Wrongful Death Claim of Josefa Godinez Merida Resolution Passed - House (7 - 1)
Feb. 15, 2011 ND HB 1189 Corporate Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
Feb. 15, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2011 ND HB 1289 Reducing Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
Feb. 15, 2011 NH HB 113 Prohibits the Use of State Funds for Public Television Bill Passed - House (263 - 102)
Feb. 10, 2011 NC SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (66 - 51)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (27 - 32)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
Feb. 8, 2011 KS HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (81 - 40)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 2314 Education Improvement Scholarships Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 7, 2011 NC SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 3, 2011 MN HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 28 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Feb. 2, 2011 National S Amdt 9 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2011 ID H 26 Increment in fees for felonies and misdemeanors Bill Failed - House (31 - 35)
Feb. 1, 2011 WY HB 34 Sales Tax Distribution Bill Failed - House (22 - 37)
Jan. 31, 2011 NY S 2706 Limitations on Tax Levies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
Jan. 31, 2011 NY S 2707 Funding State Mandated Programs Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
Jan. 31, 2011 IN HB 1450 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
Jan. 27, 2011 MN HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 63)
Jan. 25, 2011 WI AB 5 Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote in the Legislature for Tax Increases Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
Jan. 25, 2011 WI AB 7 Small Business Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
Jan. 25, 2011 National H Res 38 Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165)
Jan. 24, 2011 WA HB 1086 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 19, 2011 NY S 1892 Limiting State Spending Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
Jan. 19, 2011 NY S 1919 Amends Rules for Legislature Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
Jan. 19, 2011 NY S 1891 New York Jobs Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
Jan. 13, 2011 MT HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Bill Passed - House (60 - 57)
Jan. 7, 2011 ND HB 1189 Corporate Income Tax Reductions
Dec. 21, 2010 National HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
Dec. 21, 2010 National HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 16)
Dec. 17, 2010 National HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (277 - 148)
Dec. 16, 2010 National H Amdt 786 Amending the Estate Tax Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
Dec. 15, 2010 National HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
Dec. 4, 2010 National S Amdt 4727 Extension of Tax Cuts for Those Making Under $250,000 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 36)
Dec. 4, 2010 National S Amdt 4728 Extension of Tax Cuts for Those Making Under $1 Million Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 37)
Dec. 2, 2010 National HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (234 - 188)
Nov. 30, 2010 National S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
Nov. 17, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
Oct. 7, 2010 CA SB 870 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
Sept. 30, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
Sept. 30, 2010 National HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 194)
Sept. 29, 2010 National HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
Sept. 29, 2010 National S Amdt 4676 Reducing "Continuing Appropriation" Amounts by 5 Percent Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
Sept. 29, 2010 PA SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
Sept. 28, 2010 National S 3816 Tax Law Amendments Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
Sept. 23, 2010 National HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (237 - 187)
Sept. 23, 2010 MI SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Sept. 23, 2010 MI SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 45)
Sept. 22, 2010 MI SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
Sept. 22, 2010 MI SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Sept. 21, 2010 MI SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
Sept. 21, 2010 MI SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
Sept. 20, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38)
Sept. 15, 2010 MI SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 5)
Sept. 15, 2010 MI SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
Sept. 8, 2010 MI HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA SB 1391 Business Tax Incentive Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 17)
Aug. 25, 2010 CA SB 1272 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Aug. 25, 2010 CA AB 2666 Establishing Public Database of Companies and Their Tax Credits in the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26)
Aug. 25, 2010 CA SB 1391 Business Tax Incentive Amendments Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
Aug. 25, 2010 MI HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
Aug. 23, 2010 CA AB 2666 Establishing Public Database of Companies and Their Tax Credits in the State Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Aug. 23, 2010 CA SB 1272 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 27)
Aug. 3, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
July 30, 2010 National HR 5982 Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (241 - 154)
July 29, 2010 National S Amdt 4519 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
July 27, 2010 National HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (308 - 114)
July 22, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
July 21, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (59 - 39)
July 20, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 40)
July 14, 2010 MO HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 40)
July 13, 2010 MO HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
July 12, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 31)
July 9, 2010 NC HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 17)
July 8, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
July 3, 2010 PA SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
July 3, 2010 PA SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
July 1, 2010 National HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (239 - 182)
July 1, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
June 30, 2010 NC SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 15)
June 30, 2010 NC SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 50)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/21 SB 1446 Transportation Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38)
2/19 HR 1 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (235 - 189)
2/17 HB 2527 Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
2/17 S2636 Reduction of Toll Road Prices Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
2/17 SB 1446 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 32)
2/16 HB 1052 Reducing Taxes on Manufacturer Utilities Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
2/16 HB 1002 Capital Gains Reduction Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
2/16 HB 2001 Tax Reductions for Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/16 HB 2001 Tax Reductions for Businesses Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
2/16 SF 166 Funding for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
2/16 HF 194 Individual Income Tax Rate Reduction Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
2/15 AB 110 Wrongful Death Claim of Josefa Godinez Merida Resolution Passed - House (7 - 1)
2/15 HB 1189 Corporate Income Tax Reductions Bill Passed - House (72 - 22)
2/15 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/15 HB 1289 Reducing Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
2/15 HB 113 Prohibits the Use of State Funds for Public Television Bill Passed - House (263 - 102)
2/10 SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (66 - 51)
2/09 HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (27 - 32)
2/08 HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
2/08 HB 2014 2011-2012 Budget Bill Passed - House (81 - 40)
2/08 HB 2314 Education Improvement Scholarships Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
2/07 SB 13 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/03 HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 27)
2/02 S Amdt 28 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
2/02 S Amdt 9 Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17)
2/01 H 26 Increment in fees for felonies and misdemeanors Bill Failed - House (31 - 35)
2/01 HB 34 Sales Tax Distribution Bill Failed - House (22 - 37)
1/31 S 2706 Limitations on Tax Levies Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
1/31 S 2707 Funding State Mandated Programs Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
1/31 HB 1450 Unemployment Insurance Amendments Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
1/27 HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 63)
1/25 AB 5 Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote in the Legislature for Tax Increases Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
1/25 AB 7 Small Business Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
1/25 H Res 38 Reducing Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels Resolution Passed - House (256 - 165)
1/24 HB 1086 2011-2012 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
1/20 SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
1/20 SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/19 S 1892 Limiting State Spending Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
1/19 S 1919 Amends Rules for Legislature Amendment Adopted - Senate (41 - 19)
1/19 S 1891 New York Jobs Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (51 - 9)
1/13 HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
1/11 SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 29)
1/11 SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Bill Passed - House (60 - 57)
1/07 HB 1189 Corporate Income Tax Reductions
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (79 - 16)
12/17 HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (277 - 148)
12/16 H Amdt 786 Amending the Estate Tax Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
12/15 HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (81 - 19)
12/04 S Amdt 4727 Extension of Tax Cuts for Those Making Under $250,000 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 36)
12/04 S Amdt 4728 Extension of Tax Cuts for Those Making Under $1 Million Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 37)
12/02 HR 4853 Temporary Extension of Tax Relief Concurrence Vote Passed - House (234 - 188)
11/30 S Amdt 4697 Prohibiting Earmarks Motion Rejected - Senate (39 - 56)
11/17 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
11/15 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
10/07 SB 870 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
9/30 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
9/30 HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 194)
9/29 HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (69 - 30)
9/29 S Amdt 4676 Reducing "Continuing Appropriation" Amounts by 5 Percent Amendment Rejected - Senate (48 - 51)
9/29 SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
9/28 S 3816 Tax Law Amendments Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 45)
9/23 HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (237 - 187)
9/23 SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
9/23 SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 45)
9/22 SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
9/22 SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
9/21 SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
9/21 SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
9/20 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17)
9/16 HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (61 - 38)
9/15 SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 5)
9/15 SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
9/08 HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
8/31 SB 1391 Business Tax Incentive Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (20 - 17)
8/25 SB 1272 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
8/25 AB 2666 Establishing Public Database of Companies and Their Tax Credits in the State Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 26)
8/25 SB 1391 Business Tax Incentive Amendments Bill Passed - House (46 - 28)
8/25 HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
8/23 AB 2666 Establishing Public Database of Companies and Their Tax Credits in the State Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
8/23 SB 1272 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 27)
8/03 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
7/30 HR 5982 Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (241 - 154)
7/29 S Amdt 4519 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42)
7/27 HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (308 - 114)
7/22 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (272 - 152)
7/21 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (59 - 39)
7/20 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension Cloture Invoked - Senate (60 - 40)
7/14 HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 40)
7/13 HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
7/12 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
7/10 HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 31)
7/09 HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 17)
7/08 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
7/03 SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
7/03 SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
7/01 HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (239 - 182)
7/01 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
6/30 SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 15)
6/30 SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 50)

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