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 14, 2009 TX HB 1657 Contractor Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (73 - 71)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
May 12, 2009 NY A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
May 12, 2009 RI H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
May 6, 2009 MI HB 4786 Part-Time Work Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
May 6, 2009 MI HB 4786 Part-Time Work Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
May 6, 2009 MI HB 4785 Job Training Program Benefits and Security Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
May 5, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Bill Passed - House (89 - 57)
May 5, 2009 CO HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
May 5, 2009 CO HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
May 4, 2009 VT Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
May 4, 2009 OR HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
May 4, 2009 OR HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
May 4, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
May 2, 2009 ND SB 2162 Child Care Background Checks Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 20)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 23)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 23)
May 1, 2009 NV AB 395 Allowing State Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
April 29, 2009 FL Amdt 337171 Expanding Unemployment Benefits Eligibility Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 71)
April 29, 2009 FL Amdt 337171 Expanding Unemployment Benefits Eligibility Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 71)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
April 29, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
April 29, 2009 National HR 1913 Hate Crimes Expansion Bill Passed - House (249 - 175)
April 29, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
April 29, 2009 ID S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 16)
April 29, 2009 ID S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 16)
April 28, 2009 CO SB 88 Extending Health Benefits to Domestic Partners of State Employees Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
April 28, 2009 CO SB 88 Extending Health Benefits to Domestic Partners of State Employees Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
April 24, 2009 ND HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
April 23, 2009 WI SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
April 23, 2009 AL HB 533 Hate Crime Law Expansion Bill Passed - House (46 - 41)
April 23, 2009 MN SF 2082 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 62)
April 22, 2009 CT SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 258 Excluding Tipped Employees from Mandatory Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (86 - 74)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
April 16, 2009 NC HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
April 15, 2009 WA SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
April 13, 2009 MD HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
April 11, 2009 WV SB 246 Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
April 11, 2009 WV SB 246 Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
April 10, 2009 ND HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38)
April 8, 2009 NH HB 415 Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (188 - 187)
April 7, 2009 ID H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
April 7, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
April 6, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
April 3, 2009 VT S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
April 3, 2009 ND SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Failed - House (34 - 54)
April 3, 2009 GA SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
April 2, 2009 MO HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
April 2, 2009 AK HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
April 1, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
March 31, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
March 31, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
March 30, 2009 GA SB 67 English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations Bill Passed - House (104 - 58)
March 26, 2009 FL Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
March 26, 2009 FL Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
March 26, 2009 MD SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
March 26, 2009 MI HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
March 26, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
March 26, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
March 26, 2009 NH HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (186 - 179)
March 25, 2009 KS SB 160 Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (104 - 21)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 25, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 531 Parental Notification for Underage Abortion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 160)
March 20, 2009 ID H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
March 20, 2009 ID H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/14 HB 1657 Contractor Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (73 - 71)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
5/12 A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
5/12 H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
5/06 HB 4786 Part-Time Work Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
5/06 HB 4786 Part-Time Work Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
5/06 HB 4785 Job Training Program Benefits and Security Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
5/05 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Bill Passed - House (89 - 57)
5/05 HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
5/05 HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
5/04 Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
5/04 HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
5/04 HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
5/04 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
5/02 SB 2162 Child Care Background Checks Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 20)
5/01 HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 23)
5/01 HB 479 Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 23)
5/01 AB 395 Allowing State Employee Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - House (28 - 14)
4/29 Amdt 337171 Expanding Unemployment Benefits Eligibility Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 71)
4/29 Amdt 337171 Expanding Unemployment Benefits Eligibility Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 71)
4/29 HB 1491 St. Joseph Superior Court Judges Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 22)
4/29 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
4/29 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
4/29 HR 1913 Hate Crimes Expansion Bill Passed - House (249 - 175)
4/29 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
4/29 S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 16)
4/29 S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 16)
4/28 SB 88 Extending Health Benefits to Domestic Partners of State Employees Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
4/28 SB 88 Extending Health Benefits to Domestic Partners of State Employees Bill Passed - House (34 - 30)
4/24 HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
4/23 SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
4/23 HB 533 Hate Crime Law Expansion Bill Passed - House (46 - 41)
4/23 SF 2082 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 62)
4/22 SB 899 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (100 - 44)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/16 HB 258 Excluding Tipped Employees from Mandatory Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (86 - 74)
4/16 HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
4/16 HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
4/15 SB 5688 Expanding Domestic Partnership Rights Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
4/13 HB 387 "Lawful Status" Requirements for ID Cards, Vehicle Licenses and Permits Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 60)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
4/11 SB 246 Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
4/11 SB 246 Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
4/10 HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38)
4/08 HB 415 Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination Bill Passed - House (188 - 187)
4/07 H 138 Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
4/07 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 49)
4/06 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
4/03 S 115 Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
4/03 SB 2278 Prohibiting Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill Failed - House (34 - 54)
4/03 SB 86 Requiring Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (140 - 67)
4/02 HB 681 Special Elections for Statewide Office Vacancies Bill Passed - House (94 - 63)
4/02 HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
4/01 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
3/31 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
3/31 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (84 - 35)
3/30 SB 67 English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations Bill Passed - House (104 - 58)
3/26 Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
3/26 Amdt 677495 Amendments to Attorney Fee Cap in Workers Compensation Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (45 - 69)
3/26 SB 279 Capital Punishment Restrictions Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
3/26 HB 4317 Extending Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Liability Bill Passed - House (56 - 53)
3/26 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
3/26 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
3/26 HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (186 - 179)
3/25 SB 160 Increasing Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (104 - 21)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/25 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
3/24 HB 531 Parental Notification for Underage Abortion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 160)
3/20 H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)
3/20 H 214 Voluntary Death Certificates for Miscarriages Bill Failed - House (31 - 32)

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