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
March 4, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
March 4, 2014 OK SB 1651 Appropriates Funds for the Native American Cultural Center Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
March 4, 2014 MD SB 212 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 4, 2014 HI HB 2580 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (48 - 3)
March 4, 2014 HI SB 2609 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
March 3, 2014 WY HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10)
March 3, 2014 WY HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
March 3, 2014 GA HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
March 3, 2014 GA HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
Feb. 28, 2014 AK HB 1 Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2014 KY HB 351 Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
Feb. 27, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (69 - 23)
Feb. 26, 2014 AL SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 25, 2014 KY SB 82 Establishes Procedures for an Executive Cabinet Position Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 25, 2014 KY SB 82 Establishes Procedures for an Executive Cabinet Position Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2014 WV HB 4490 Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2014 TN HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
Feb. 24, 2014 TN HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
Feb. 20, 2014 MO HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
Feb. 20, 2014 MO HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
Feb. 20, 2014 AR SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 19, 2014 NM SJR 13 Increases the Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Failed - House (33 - 29)
Feb. 18, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
Feb. 18, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
Feb. 18, 2014 WA SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
Feb. 17, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2014 NM SJR 13 Increases the Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2014 NM HB 11 Increases Compensation for Elected State Officers Bill Failed - House (29 - 32)
Feb. 13, 2014 NM HB 82 Prohibits a State Official from Working as a Lobbyist for 2 Years After Leaving Office Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
Feb. 13, 2014 NM HB 11 Increases Compensation for Elected State Officers Bill Failed - House (29 - 32)
Feb. 12, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 12, 2014 KS HB 2453 Authorizes an Individual to Refuse Services Based on Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (72 - 49)
Feb. 12, 2014 SD SB 142 Increases Salary for State Legislators Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 11, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 11, 2014 VA SB 590 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 11, 2014 UT HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2014 SD HB 1158 Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2014 SD HB 1158 Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 6, 2014 KY HB 1 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Feb. 6, 2014 KY SB 1 Authorizes Legislature to Review Administrative Regulations Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
Feb. 6, 2014 KY SB 1 Authorizes Legislature to Review Administrative Regulations Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2014 IL SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
Feb. 5, 2014 TN SJR 123 Requires Election of Attorney General Position Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14)
Feb. 5, 2014 SD HJR 1002 Increases Legislative Term Limit Length Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 4, 2014 National HR 2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 32)
Feb. 4, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Feb. 4, 2014 IL SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Feb. 4, 2014 KY SB 58 Repeals the Office of the State Secretary of the Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/04 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/04 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
3/04 SB 1651 Appropriates Funds for the Native American Cultural Center Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
3/04 SB 212 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/04 HB 2580 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (48 - 3)
3/04 SB 2609 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 1)
3/03 HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10)
3/03 HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
3/03 HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
3/03 HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
2/28 HB 1 Requires Certain Drivers Licenses to Expire Pursuant to their Visa Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 4)
2/28 HB 351 Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
2/27 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - House (69 - 23)
2/26 SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/25 SB 82 Establishes Procedures for an Executive Cabinet Position Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/25 SB 82 Establishes Procedures for an Executive Cabinet Position Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/24 HB 4490 Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
2/24 HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
2/24 HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
2/20 HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
2/20 HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - House (109 - 42)
2/20 SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/19 SJR 13 Increases the Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Failed - House (33 - 29)
2/18 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
2/18 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
2/18 SB 6523 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (75 - 22)
2/17 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/17 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
2/14 SJR 13 Increases the Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 17)
2/13 HB 11 Increases Compensation for Elected State Officers Bill Failed - House (29 - 32)
2/13 HB 82 Prohibits a State Official from Working as a Lobbyist for 2 Years After Leaving Office Bill Passed - House (43 - 23)
2/13 HB 11 Increases Compensation for Elected State Officers Bill Failed - House (29 - 32)
2/12 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/12 HB 2453 Authorizes an Individual to Refuse Services Based on Religious Beliefs Bill Passed - House (72 - 49)
2/12 SB 142 Increases Salary for State Legislators Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/11 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/11 SB 590 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/11 HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
2/10 HB 1158 Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/10 HB 1158 Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/06 HB 1 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
2/06 SB 1 Authorizes Legislature to Review Administrative Regulations Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
2/06 SB 1 Authorizes Legislature to Review Administrative Regulations Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 14)
2/05 SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
2/05 SJR 123 Requires Election of Attorney General Position Amendment Rejected - Senate (15 - 14)
2/05 HJR 1002 Increases Legislative Term Limit Length Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/04 HR 2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 32)
2/04 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
2/04 SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
2/04 SB 58 Repeals the Office of the State Secretary of the Treasury Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)

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