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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 24, 2012 | FL | HB 971 | Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment | Bill Passed - House (77 - 35) |
| Feb. 24, 2012 | FL | HB 971 | Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment | Bill Passed - House (77 - 35) |
| Feb. 24, 2012 | UT | HB 198 | Prohibits Regulation of Family Food | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | FL | HB 549 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - House (83 - 30) |
| Feb. 23, 2012 | KS | HB 2638 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Insurance Contributions | Bill Passed - House (85 - 39) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 484 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 21, 2012 | MI | HB 5033 | Requires Asset Tests to Determine Eligibility for State Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - House (67 - 39) |
| Feb. 17, 2012 | National | HR 3630 | Extends Payroll Tax Cut | Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132) |
| Feb. 17, 2012 | WY | HB 32 | State House and Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (49 - 9) |
| Feb. 17, 2012 | MD | HB 438 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (72 - 67) |
| Feb. 16, 2012 | NJ | S 1 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | MI | HB 5085 | Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | MS | HB 211 | Amends the Rules Regarding Hiring Outside Counsel | Bill Passed - House (59 - 56) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | NH | HB 1666 | Limits State Contribution to Public Employee Benefits | Bill Passed - House (232 - 119) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | CO | HB 1301 | Authorizes Legislative Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
| Feb. 15, 2012 | NH | HB 1666 | Limits State Contribution to Public Employee Benefits | Bill Passed - House (232 - 119) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
| Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1129 | Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | National | S 2038 | Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials | Bill Passed - House (417 - 2) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | National | S 2038 | Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials | Bill Passed - House (417 - 2) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | National | S 2038 | Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials | Bill Passed - House (417 - 2) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | KS | HB 2606 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (109 - 14) |
| Feb. 9, 2012 | NM | HB 42 | Increasing Contribution to Legislative Pension Plan | Bill Passed - House (56 - 10) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | WA | SB 6239 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | NM | HB 103 | Increasing Regulation of Driver's Licenses Issued to Foreign Nationals | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | National | HR 3521 | Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation | Bill Passed - House (254 - 173) |
| Feb. 8, 2012 | National | HR 3521 | Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation | Bill Passed - House (254 - 173) |
| Feb. 6, 2012 | UT | SB 32 | Breast Cancer Screening | Bill Passed - House (66 - 6) |
| Feb. 3, 2012 | National | HR 658 | Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (248 - 169) |
| Feb. 3, 2012 | FL | SB 1174 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (80 - 37) |
| Feb. 3, 2012 | GA | HB 829 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (101 - 53) |
| Feb. 3, 2012 | VA | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 3, 2012 | VA | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | National | HR 3835 | Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers | Bill Passed - House (309 - 117) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | RI | S 2178 | State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (56 - 12) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | NH | HB 1383 | Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents | Bill Passed - House (250 - 88) |
| Feb. 1, 2012 | National | HR 1173 | Repeals the CLASS Act | Bill Passed - House (267 - 159) |
| Jan. 31, 2012 | IN | HB 1007 | Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
| Jan. 31, 2012 | IN | HB 1007 | Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
| Jan. 27, 2012 | UT | SB 125 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (69 - 0) |
| Jan. 27, 2012 | IN | H Amdt 3 | Drug and Alcohol Testing for Legislators | Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 40) |
| Jan. 27, 2012 | VA | HB 1112 | Repeals HPV Vaccine Requirement | Bill Passed - House (62 - 34) |
| Jan. 25, 2012 | IN | HB 1001 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join a Labor Organization | Bill Passed - House (54 - 44) |
| Jan. 19, 2012 | KY | HB 1 | State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| Jan. 18, 2012 | TN | SB 1514 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (75 - 19) |
| Jan. 18, 2012 | NH | CACR 13 | Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes | Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101) |
| Jan. 18, 2012 | National | H J Res 98 | Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176) |
| Jan. 18, 2012 | National | H J Res 98 | Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176) |
| Jan. 13, 2012 | VA | HB 251 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 21) |
| Jan. 12, 2012 | TN | HB 1555 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (67 - 25) |
| Jan. 12, 2012 | TN | HB 1558 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (68 - 25) |
| Jan. 5, 2012 | NH | HB 383 | Prohibits State Employees From Being Requied to Pay Association Fees | Bill Passed - House (212 - 128) |
| Dec. 20, 2011 | National | HR 3630 | Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193) |
| Dec. 20, 2011 | PA | SB 1249 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (136 - 61) |
| Dec. 14, 2011 | National | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136) |
| Dec. 14, 2011 | OH | HB 369 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (77 - 17) |
| Dec. 13, 2011 | National | HR 3630 | Reduces Payroll Taxes and Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (234 - 193) |
| Dec. 8, 2011 | MI | HB 4770 | Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| Dec. 8, 2011 | MI | HB 4770 | Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| Dec. 2, 2011 | National | HR 3010 | Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies | Bill Passed - House (253 - 167) |
| Nov. 30, 2011 | NH | HB 474 | Labor Law Amendments | Veto Override Failed - House (240 - 139) |
| Nov. 30, 2011 | National | HR 3094 | Labor Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (235 - 188) |
| Nov. 29, 2011 | National | HR 3012 | Repeals Certain Green Cards Limitations | Bill Passed - House (389 - 15) |
| Nov. 17, 2011 | RI | H 6319 | Amending the Pension System | Bill Passed - House (57 - 15) |
| Nov. 15, 2011 | PA | HB 439 | Hiring Undocumented Workers | Bill Passed - House (122 - 74) |
| Nov. 9, 2011 | ND | SB 2370 | Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
| Nov. 8, 2011 | ND | HB 1473 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (60 - 32) |
| Nov. 7, 2011 | NC | HB 777 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (62 - 49) |
| Nov. 7, 2011 | NC | SB 689 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (62 - 46) |
| Nov. 7, 2011 | NC | SB 283 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (61 - 46) |
| Nov. 3, 2011 | MI | HB 4701 | Amends the State Employee Retirement System | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| Nov. 1, 2011 | WI | SB 45 | Administration of Medications to Students | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
| Oct. 27, 2011 | National | HR 2576 | Requires Inclusion of Social Security Benefits in Calculation of Modified Adjusted Gross Income | Bill Passed - House (262 - 157) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/24 | HB 971 | Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment | Bill Passed - House (77 - 35) |
| 2/24 | HB 971 | Amends Process of Judiciary Appointment | Bill Passed - House (77 - 35) |
| 2/24 | HB 198 | Prohibits Regulation of Family Food | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
| 2/23 | HB 549 | Amends Alimony Provisions | Bill Passed - House (83 - 30) |
| 2/23 | HB 2638 | Reduces Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Insurance Contributions | Bill Passed - House (85 - 39) |
| 2/22 | SB 484 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
| 2/22 | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| 2/22 | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| 2/21 | HB 5033 | Requires Asset Tests to Determine Eligibility for State Assistance Programs | Bill Passed - House (67 - 39) |
| 2/17 | HR 3630 | Extends Payroll Tax Cut | Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132) |
| 2/17 | HB 32 | State House and Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (49 - 9) |
| 2/17 | HB 438 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (72 - 67) |
| 2/16 | S 1 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (42 - 33) |
| 2/15 | HB 5085 | Prohibits public employers from deducting political contributions from employee paychecks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 43) |
| 2/15 | HB 211 | Amends the Rules Regarding Hiring Outside Counsel | Bill Passed - House (59 - 56) |
| 2/15 | HB 1666 | Limits State Contribution to Public Employee Benefits | Bill Passed - House (232 - 119) |
| 2/15 | HB 1301 | Authorizes Legislative Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
| 2/15 | HB 1666 | Limits State Contribution to Public Employee Benefits | Bill Passed - House (232 - 119) |
| 2/14 | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
| 2/14 | HB 1129 | Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
| 2/09 | S 2038 | Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials | Bill Passed - House (417 - 2) |
| 2/09 | S 2038 | Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials | Bill Passed - House (417 - 2) |
| 2/09 | S 2038 | Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials | Bill Passed - House (417 - 2) |
| 2/09 | HB 2606 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (109 - 14) |
| 2/09 | HB 42 | Increasing Contribution to Legislative Pension Plan | Bill Passed - House (56 - 10) |
| 2/08 | SB 6239 | Authorizes Same-Sex Marriage | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
| 2/08 | HB 103 | Increasing Regulation of Driver's Licenses Issued to Foreign Nationals | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
| 2/08 | HR 3521 | Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation | Bill Passed - House (254 - 173) |
| 2/08 | HR 3521 | Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation | Bill Passed - House (254 - 173) |
| 2/06 | SB 32 | Breast Cancer Screening | Bill Passed - House (66 - 6) |
| 2/03 | HR 658 | Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (248 - 169) |
| 2/03 | SB 1174 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (80 - 37) |
| 2/03 | HB 829 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (101 - 53) |
| 2/03 | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| 2/03 | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
| 2/01 | HR 3835 | Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers | Bill Passed - House (309 - 117) |
| 2/01 | S 2178 | State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (56 - 12) |
| 2/01 | HB 1383 | Prohibits In-State Tuition for Non-US Residents | Bill Passed - House (250 - 88) |
| 2/01 | HR 1173 | Repeals the CLASS Act | Bill Passed - House (267 - 159) |
| 1/31 | HB 1007 | Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
| 1/31 | HB 1007 | Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants | Bill Passed - House (73 - 23) |
| 1/27 | SB 125 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (69 - 0) |
| 1/27 | H Amdt 3 | Drug and Alcohol Testing for Legislators | Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 40) |
| 1/27 | HB 1112 | Repeals HPV Vaccine Requirement | Bill Passed - House (62 - 34) |
| 1/25 | HB 1001 | Prohibits Employers from Requiring Employees to Join a Labor Organization | Bill Passed - House (54 - 44) |
| 1/19 | HB 1 | State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39) |
| 1/18 | SB 1514 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (75 - 19) |
| 1/18 | CACR 13 | Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes | Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101) |
| 1/18 | H J Res 98 | Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176) |
| 1/18 | H J Res 98 | Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit | Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176) |
| 1/13 | HB 251 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 21) |
| 1/12 | HB 1555 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (67 - 25) |
| 1/12 | HB 1558 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (68 - 25) |
| 1/05 | HB 383 | Prohibits State Employees From Being Requied to Pay Association Fees | Bill Passed - House (212 - 128) |
| 12/20 | HR 3630 | Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension | Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193) |
| 12/20 | SB 1249 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (136 - 61) |
| 12/14 | HR 1540 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 | Conference Report Adopted - House (283 - 136) |
| 12/14 | HB 369 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (77 - 17) |
| 12/13 | HR 3630 | Reduces Payroll Taxes and Unemployment Benefits | Bill Passed - House (234 - 193) |
| 12/08 | HB 4770 | Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| 12/08 | HB 4770 | Prohibits Public Employers from Providing Medical Benefits to Public Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| 12/02 | HR 3010 | Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies | Bill Passed - House (253 - 167) |
| 11/30 | HB 474 | Labor Law Amendments | Veto Override Failed - House (240 - 139) |
| 11/30 | HR 3094 | Labor Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (235 - 188) |
| 11/29 | HR 3012 | Repeals Certain Green Cards Limitations | Bill Passed - House (389 - 15) |
| 11/17 | H 6319 | Amending the Pension System | Bill Passed - House (57 - 15) |
| 11/15 | HB 439 | Hiring Undocumented Workers | Bill Passed - House (122 - 74) |
| 11/09 | SB 2370 | Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
| 11/08 | HB 1473 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (60 - 32) |
| 11/07 | HB 777 | State House Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (62 - 49) |
| 11/07 | SB 689 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (62 - 46) |
| 11/07 | SB 283 | State Senate Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (61 - 46) |
| 11/03 | HB 4701 | Amends the State Employee Retirement System | Bill Passed - House (63 - 45) |
| 11/01 | SB 45 | Administration of Medications to Students | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
| 10/27 | HR 2576 | Requires Inclusion of Social Security Benefits in Calculation of Modified Adjusted Gross Income | Bill Passed - House (262 - 157) |