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
May 27, 2014 IL HB 1154 Amends Cook County Pension Laws Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
May 27, 2014 CA AB 1576 Amends the Health and Safety Provisions for Adult Films Bill Passed - House (48 - 13)
May 22, 2014 IL SJRCA 75 Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
May 22, 2014 MI HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
May 21, 2014 OK HB 2630 Amends State Employee Retirement Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 11)
May 20, 2014 OK HB 2630 Amends State Employee Retirement Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 33)
May 16, 2014 MO HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 4)
May 16, 2014 MO HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 4)
May 15, 2014 MN HF 3169 Establishes a Legislative Salary Council Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 62)
May 14, 2014 OK HB 3143 Requires Vendors on Military Bases to Collect Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 42)
May 14, 2014 NH SB 390 Prohibits an Employer from Discriminating Against a Victim of Domestic Violence Bill Passed - House (190 - 137)
May 13, 2014 MN HF 3169 Establishes a Legislative Salary Council Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 25)
May 8, 2014 MN HF 2536 Increases Equal Pay and Establishes Certain Workplace Protections for Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
May 8, 2014 NH HB 1403 Increases the Minimum Wage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
May 7, 2014 MN HF 2536 Increases Equal Pay and Establishes Certain Workplace Protections for Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 24)
May 7, 2014 National H Res 574 Recommends that the House of Representatives Find Lois G. Lerner in Contempt of Congress Resolution Passed - House (231 - 187)
May 2, 2014 FL HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 1, 2014 MA S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
April 30, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 45)
April 30, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 45)
April 30, 2014 MO SB 673 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
April 30, 2014 National S 2223 Minimum Wage Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42)
April 29, 2014 MO SB 510 Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims Bill Passed - House (107 - 45)
April 25, 2014 AK HB 218 Prohibits Use of Risk of Deportation as a Factor in a Felony Case Referral Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 10)
April 25, 2014 IA SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
April 25, 2014 CT HB 5274 Prohibits Employers from Discriminating Against Unemployed Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
April 25, 2014 CT HB 5274 Prohibits Employers from Discriminating Against Unemployed Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
April 25, 2014 FL HB 7181 Reforms Retirement Systems for State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
April 24, 2014 OK SJR 21 Amends Selection Process for Judicial Nominating Commission Bill Failed - House (31 - 65)
April 24, 2014 OK SJR 21 Amends Selection Process for Judicial Nominating Commission Bill Failed - House (31 - 65)
April 23, 2014 CO HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 21, 2014 AZ HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 20)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 17, 2014 ME LD 1578 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (94 - 51)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2291 Expands Eligibility to Empowerment Scholarship Account Program Bill Failed - House (27 - 31)
April 17, 2014 ME LD 1578 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 13, 2014 AK HB 384 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (21 - 19)
April 10, 2014 NE LB 690 Establishes the Aging Nebraskans Task Force Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 12)
April 10, 2014 MN HF 2091 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 60)
April 10, 2014 IL HB 8 Requires Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
April 9, 2014 MN HF 2091 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
April 9, 2014 TN SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
April 9, 2014 National S 2199 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
April 9, 2014 OH HB 485 Establishes the Ohio Healthier Buckeye Council and the Office of Human Services Innovation Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
April 8, 2014 IL SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
April 8, 2014 IL SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
April 8, 2014 National HR 1871 Baseline Reform Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (230 - 185)
April 7, 2014 MD HB 295 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 47)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
April 7, 2014 OK SB 1023 Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
April 7, 2014 NE LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
April 7, 2014 NE LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 2039 Reduces Lifetime Eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 5, 2014 MD HB 295 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 4, 2014 KS HB 2552 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion (68 - 54)
April 4, 2014 National HR 1874 Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (224 - 182)
April 3, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 3, 2014 AL SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (73 - 27)
April 3, 2014 MO HB 1617 Requires Yearly Employee Consent for Paycheck Deductions by Public Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (83 - 69)
April 3, 2014 MO SB 673 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 3, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
April 3, 2014 FL SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
April 2, 2014 AL SB 115 Amends Job Application Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (70 - 33)
April 2, 2014 MA H 4026 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
March 31, 2014 NE LB 690 Establishes the Aging Nebraskans Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
March 31, 2014 National HR 4302 Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
March 31, 2014 National HR 4302 Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
March 31, 2014 NE LB 943 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
March 27, 2014 MD SB 212 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (82 - 57)
March 27, 2014 TN HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/27 HB 1154 Amends Cook County Pension Laws Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 16)
5/27 AB 1576 Amends the Health and Safety Provisions for Adult Films Bill Passed - House (48 - 13)
5/22 SJRCA 75 Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
5/22 HB 5575 Establishes the Mighigan Settlement Authority Administration Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
5/21 HB 2630 Amends State Employee Retirement Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 11)
5/20 HB 2630 Amends State Employee Retirement Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (58 - 33)
5/16 HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 4)
5/16 HJR 72 Authorizes the Legislature to Override Certain Gubernatorial Spending Reductions Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 4)
5/15 HF 3169 Establishes a Legislative Salary Council Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 62)
5/14 HB 3143 Requires Vendors on Military Bases to Collect Sales Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 42)
5/14 SB 390 Prohibits an Employer from Discriminating Against a Victim of Domestic Violence Bill Passed - House (190 - 137)
5/13 HF 3169 Establishes a Legislative Salary Council Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 25)
5/08 HF 2536 Increases Equal Pay and Establishes Certain Workplace Protections for Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 24)
5/08 HB 1403 Increases the Minimum Wage "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
5/07 HF 2536 Increases Equal Pay and Establishes Certain Workplace Protections for Employees Conference Report Adopted - House (104 - 24)
5/07 H Res 574 Recommends that the House of Representatives Find Lois G. Lerner in Contempt of Congress Resolution Passed - House (231 - 187)
5/02 HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 32)
5/01 HB 755 Authorizes Certain Non-Citizen Individuals to be Admitted to the Bar Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 37)
5/01 HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/01 S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
4/30 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 45)
4/30 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 45)
4/30 SB 673 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (101 - 49)
4/30 S 2223 Minimum Wage Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 42)
4/29 SB 510 Amends the Definition of Employee Misconduct for Unemployment Benefits Claims Bill Passed - House (107 - 45)
4/25 HB 218 Prohibits Use of Risk of Deportation as a Factor in a Felony Case Referral Concurrence Vote Passed - House (28 - 10)
4/25 SF 2318 Amends School Harassment and Bullying Policies Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
4/25 HB 5274 Prohibits Employers from Discriminating Against Unemployed Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
4/25 HB 5274 Prohibits Employers from Discriminating Against Unemployed Applicants Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
4/25 HB 7181 Reforms Retirement Systems for State Employees Bill Passed - House (74 - 44)
4/24 SJR 21 Amends Selection Process for Judicial Nominating Commission Bill Failed - House (31 - 65)
4/24 SJR 21 Amends Selection Process for Judicial Nominating Commission Bill Failed - House (31 - 65)
4/23 HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/21 HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 20)
4/17 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 22)
4/17 HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/17 LD 1578 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (94 - 51)
4/17 HB 2291 Expands Eligibility to Empowerment Scholarship Account Program Bill Failed - House (27 - 31)
4/17 LD 1578 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/16 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/13 HB 384 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (21 - 19)
4/10 LB 690 Establishes the Aging Nebraskans Task Force Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 12)
4/10 HF 2091 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 60)
4/10 HB 8 Requires Accommodations for Pregnant Workers Bill Passed - House (65 - 36)
4/09 HF 2091 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 31)
4/09 SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - House (64 - 30)
4/09 S 2199 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
4/09 HB 485 Establishes the Ohio Healthier Buckeye Council and the Office of Human Services Innovation Bill Passed - House (62 - 30)
4/08 SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
4/08 SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
4/08 HR 1871 Baseline Reform Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (230 - 185)
4/07 HB 295 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 47)
4/07 SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
4/07 SB 1023 Prohibits Any Municipality from Establishing a Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (68 - 22)
4/07 LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
4/07 LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
4/07 SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/07 SB 2039 Reduces Lifetime Eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/05 HB 295 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/04 HB 2552 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion (68 - 54)
4/04 HR 1874 Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (224 - 182)
4/03 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/03 SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (73 - 27)
4/03 HB 1617 Requires Yearly Employee Consent for Paycheck Deductions by Public Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (83 - 69)
4/03 SB 673 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/03 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
4/03 SJR 1188 Authorizes Governor to Fill Prospective Judicial Vacancies Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
4/02 SB 115 Amends Job Application Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (70 - 33)
4/02 H 4026 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
3/31 LB 690 Establishes the Aging Nebraskans Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 11)
3/31 HR 4302 Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
3/31 HR 4302 Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 35)
3/31 LB 943 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 20)
3/27 SB 212 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (82 - 57)
3/27 HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6)

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