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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 49 | Prohibits Instruction of Non-Heterosexual Human Sexuality in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| May 19, 2011 | RI | H 6103 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 11) |
| May 19, 2011 | CA | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
| May 19, 2011 | CT | HB 6599 | Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - House (77 - 62) |
| May 19, 2011 | RI | H 6103 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 11) |
| May 18, 2011 | MI | SB 7 | Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| May 18, 2011 | NV | AB 566 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (26 - 16) |
| May 17, 2011 | TX | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| May 17, 2011 | MN | HF 1426 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28) |
| May 17, 2011 | TX | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| May 17, 2011 | LA | HB 7 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (67 - 26) |
| May 16, 2011 | OK | HB 2145 | State House Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 4) |
| May 16, 2011 | CA | SB 104 | Labor Representatives | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| May 13, 2011 | MN | HF 1426 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Bill Passed - House (71 - 61) |
| May 12, 2011 | MI | HB 4484 | State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19) |
| May 12, 2011 | CT | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - House (77 - 63) |
| May 11, 2011 | NV | AB 211 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| May 11, 2011 | MN | SF 1308 | Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (38 - 27) |
| May 10, 2011 | MO | HB 73 | Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 34) |
| May 10, 2011 | NV | SB 497 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| May 10, 2011 | TX | HB 12 | Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
| May 10, 2011 | NV | SB 497 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| May 10, 2011 | CO | HB 1319 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| May 9, 2011 | NJ | S 799 | Adopted Individuals' Access to Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39) |
| May 6, 2011 | FL | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| May 5, 2011 | CA | AB 130 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 22) |
| May 4, 2011 | MO | HB 193 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| May 4, 2011 | MO | HB 193 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44) |
| May 4, 2011 | IL | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
| May 3, 2011 | OK | HB 1527 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5) |
| May 2, 2011 | TN | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| April 28, 2011 | VA | HB 5005 | Redistricting for State Senate and House | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| April 28, 2011 | IN | HB 1602 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| April 28, 2011 | MO | HB 73 | Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| April 28, 2011 | MI | HB 4484 | State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials | Bill Passed - House (57 - 52) |
| April 28, 2011 | TX | HB 150 | 2011-2012 Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
| April 27, 2011 | IN | HB 1210 | Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| April 27, 2011 | MT | HB 627 | Requiring Parental Notification for Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 35) |
| April 27, 2011 | IN | HB 1601 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| April 26, 2011 | MT | HB 627 | Requiring Parental Notification for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| April 26, 2011 | MA | Amdt 749.1 | Collective Bargaining Restrictions | Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42) |
| April 25, 2011 | NV | SB 368 | Prohibits Discrimination in Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| April 25, 2011 | NV | SB 180 | Criminal and Civil Liability for Gender Identity Crimes | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11) |
| April 25, 2011 | NV | SB 331 | Prohibits Sex and Gender Identity Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| April 21, 2011 | WA | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40) |
| April 21, 2011 | WA | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40) |
| April 21, 2011 | WA | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 21, 2011 | WA | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| April 21, 2011 | TN | SB 485 | Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| April 21, 2011 | AL | SB 256 | Undocumented Immigrant Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate |
| April 20, 2011 | NH | HB 474 | Labor Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| April 20, 2011 | IA | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 19, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| April 19, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 19, 2011 | IN | HB 1210 | Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
| April 19, 2011 | OK | HB 1593 | Repealing Collective Bargaining Requirement for Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1609 | Public Workers' Pensions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| April 18, 2011 | AZ | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| April 18, 2011 | CO | SB 126 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| April 18, 2011 | NV | AB 211 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression | Bill Passed - House (29 - 13) |
| April 15, 2011 | IN | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| April 15, 2011 | IN | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| April 15, 2011 | FL | HJR 7111 | Amends the Division of the Florida Supreme Court | Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 38) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59) |
| April 14, 2011 | GA | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| April 14, 2011 | NC | HB 383 | Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| April 14, 2011 | AZ | SB 1609 | Public Workers' Pensions | Bill Passed - House (36 - 20) |
| April 14, 2011 | DE | SB 30 | Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
| April 14, 2011 | IA | HF 682 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| April 14, 2011 | NC | HB 383 | Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 49) |
| April 14, 2011 | CA | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| April 13, 2011 | LA | HB 6 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| April 13, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
| April 13, 2011 | MO | HB 193 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/20 | SB 49 | Prohibits Instruction of Non-Heterosexual Human Sexuality in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| 5/19 | H 6103 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 11) |
| 5/19 | AB 1236 | Prohibits Requirement of Electronic Employment Verification | Bill Passed - House (55 - 22) |
| 5/19 | HB 6599 | Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression | Bill Passed - House (77 - 62) |
| 5/19 | H 6103 | Authorizes Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (62 - 11) |
| 5/18 | SB 7 | Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 5/18 | AB 566 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (26 - 16) |
| 5/17 | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| 5/17 | HF 1426 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28) |
| 5/17 | SB 420 | Eligibility for Indigent Health Care | Bill Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| 5/17 | HB 7 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (67 - 26) |
| 5/16 | HB 2145 | State House Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (43 - 4) |
| 5/16 | SB 104 | Labor Representatives | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| 5/13 | HF 1426 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Bill Passed - House (71 - 61) |
| 5/12 | HB 4484 | State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19) |
| 5/12 | HB 6390 | Access to Postsecondary Education | Bill Passed - House (77 - 63) |
| 5/11 | AB 211 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| 5/11 | SF 1308 | Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (38 - 27) |
| 5/10 | HB 73 | Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (113 - 34) |
| 5/10 | SB 497 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (25 - 17) |
| 5/10 | HB 12 | Enforcement Of State And Federal Laws Governing Immigration | Bill Passed - House (100 - 47) |
| 5/10 | SB 497 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| 5/10 | HB 1319 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| 5/09 | S 799 | Adopted Individuals' Access to Birth Certificates | Bill Passed - House (45 - 26) |
| 5/06 | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 39) |
| 5/06 | HB 7107 | Medicaid Managed Care Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| 5/05 | AB 130 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (51 - 22) |
| 5/04 | HB 193 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Veto Override Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| 5/04 | HB 193 | Congressional Redistricting Plan | Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 44) |
| 5/04 | SB 2185 | Establishes the DREAM Fund Commission | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
| 5/03 | HB 1527 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 5) |
| 5/02 | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14) |
| 4/28 | HB 5005 | Redistricting for State Senate and House | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| 4/28 | HB 1602 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| 4/28 | HB 73 | Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| 4/28 | HB 4484 | State Tax on Retirement Distributions for Judges and State Officials | Bill Passed - House (57 - 52) |
| 4/28 | HB 150 | 2011-2012 Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (92 - 54) |
| 4/27 | HB 1210 | Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 32) |
| 4/27 | HB 627 | Requiring Parental Notification for Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 35) |
| 4/27 | HB 1601 | Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12) |
| 4/26 | HB 627 | Requiring Parental Notification for Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 4/26 | Amdt 749.1 | Collective Bargaining Restrictions | Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42) |
| 4/25 | SB 368 | Prohibits Discrimination in Housing | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8) |
| 4/25 | SB 180 | Criminal and Civil Liability for Gender Identity Crimes | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 11) |
| 4/25 | SB 331 | Prohibits Sex and Gender Identity Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
| 4/21 | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40) |
| 4/21 | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 40) |
| 4/21 | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 4/21 | HB 1267 | Definition of Parenthood | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 21) |
| 4/21 | SB 485 | Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| 4/21 | SB 256 | Undocumented Immigrant Restrictions | Bill Passed - Senate |
| 4/20 | HB 474 | Labor Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8) |
| 4/20 | SF 525 | Revises the Iowa Mental Health System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 4/19 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
| 4/19 | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 4/19 | HB 1210 | Repealing Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
| 4/19 | HB 1593 | Repealing Collective Bargaining Requirement for Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 4/18 | SB 1609 | Public Workers' Pensions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 4/18 | SB 1406 | Interstate Compact to Build a Border Fence | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| 4/18 | SB 126 | In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 4/18 | AB 211 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Employment Practices Based On Gender or Expression | Bill Passed - House (29 - 13) |
| 4/15 | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| 4/15 | SB 473 | Toll Way Projects | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
| 4/15 | HJR 7111 | Amends the Division of the Florida Supreme Court | Amendment Adopted - House (79 - 38) |
| 4/14 | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (112 - 59) |
| 4/14 | HB 87 | Immigration Enforcement Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| 4/14 | HB 383 | Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17) |
| 4/14 | SB 1609 | Public Workers' Pensions | Bill Passed - House (36 - 20) |
| 4/14 | SB 30 | Same-Sex Civil Unions | Bill Passed - House (26 - 15) |
| 4/14 | HF 682 | Congressional and Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1) |
| 4/14 | HB 383 | Relating to Unemployment Insurance Benefits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 49) |
| 4/14 | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 4/13 | HB 6 | Congressional Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| 4/13 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
| 4/13 | HB 193 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |