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
April 16, 2013 MO SB 112 Extends the New Markets Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
April 16, 2013 TN SB 1248 Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
April 14, 2013 AK SB 21 Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
April 10, 2013 AR HB 1536 Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
April 10, 2013 TX SB 1467 Requires Facilitation of Expansion of Firearms Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
April 9, 2013 WI AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 4, 2013 MO SB 126 Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 3, 2013 CT SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
April 2, 2013 KS HB 2055 Reduces Casino Building Fee Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 24)
March 27, 2013 MD SB 274 Expands Medicaid Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 26, 2013 KY SB 13 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Election Days Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
March 26, 2013 IN HB 1293 Establishes Micro-Distiller Permits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 26, 2013 OK HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
March 26, 2013 OK HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
March 26, 2013 KS SB 72 Exempts Health Clubs From Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
March 25, 2013 IA SF 296 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 23, 2013 National S Amdt 139 Prohibits the United States From Entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
March 21, 2013 ID H 248 Establishes Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 21, 2013 AK SB 21 Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
March 15, 2013 CO HB 1229 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
March 14, 2013 KS HB 2022 Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 13, 2013 NC SB 81 Establishes the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 12, 2013 MO SB 26 Amends State Tax Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 11, 2013 CO HB 1228 Establishes a Background Check Fee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 7, 2013 MN HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
March 6, 2013 ID S 1117 Authorizes Permits for Heavy Trucks on Certain Routes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
March 4, 2013 NM SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
Feb. 28, 2013 IL SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2013 WI SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2013 OK SB 375 Authorizes the International Sale of Horse Meat for Human Consumption Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
Feb. 19, 2013 AK HB 80 Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Feb. 19, 2013 AK HB 80 Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
Feb. 14, 2013 MN HF 9 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2013 KY SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 14, 2013 KY SB 88 Repeals Regulations on Telephone Utility Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2013 IL SB 622 Increases Physician License Fees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2013 MT SB 96 Reduces Business Equipment Tax Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2013 NJ SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ A 2162 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ S 2241 Prohibits Unauthorized Medical Provider Reimbursement Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 2327 Increases Penalties for the Misuse of Funds by Charitable Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
July 19, 2012 National S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
July 12, 2012 National S 2237 Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
July 2, 2012 CA SB 900 Establishes Regulations for Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
July 2, 2012 CA AB 278 Establishes Regulations for Foreclosure Procedures on Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 7, 2012 RI S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 956 Regulates Buy-Here-Pay-Here Car Loans and Lenders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1054 Requires Notifying Property Owners Prior to Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
May 29, 2012 IL SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
May 24, 2012 National S Amdt 2107 Authorizes Import of FDA-Approved Drugs from Canada Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 54)
May 16, 2012 OH HB 322 Repeals Limits on Credit Card Interest Rates for Certain Banks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 15, 2012 National HR 2072 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
May 15, 2012 National HR 2072 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
May 10, 2012 DE SB 205 Requires Manufactured Home Community Owners to Explain Rent Increases Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 3, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 25)
May 3, 2012 MN SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks Veto Override Failed - Senate (37 - 29)
May 3, 2012 AZ HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
May 2, 2012 AL SB 513 Authorizes Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 1, 2012 CT HB 5021 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Sundays and Certain Holidays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
April 30, 2012 MS SB 2576 Amends worker's compensation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 15)
April 24, 2012 MN SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 17)
April 24, 2012 IA HF 2460 Limits Tax Increment Financing Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
April 3, 2012 AZ HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
March 30, 2012 KY SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
March 20, 2012 National S Amdt 1836 Reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
March 20, 2012 National S Amdt 1836 Reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 14, 2012 MS SB 2576 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
March 9, 2012 IN HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
March 8, 2012 AZ SB 1338 Requires Online Retailers to Pay Sales Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/16 SB 112 Extends the New Markets Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
4/16 SB 1248 Requires Disclosure of Photographic Evidence of Animal Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
4/14 SB 21 Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
4/10 HB 1536 Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
4/10 SB 1467 Requires Facilitation of Expansion of Firearms Manufacturers Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
4/09 AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/04 SB 126 Prohibits Pharmacies from Being Required to Carry Specific Drugs Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/03 SB 1160 Establishes Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10)
4/02 HB 2055 Reduces Casino Building Fee Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 24)
3/27 SB 274 Expands Medicaid Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/26 SB 13 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Election Days Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
3/26 HB 1293 Establishes Micro-Distiller Permits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/26 HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
3/26 HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
3/26 SB 72 Exempts Health Clubs From Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
3/25 SF 296 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/23 S Amdt 139 Prohibits the United States From Entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Amendment Adopted - Senate (53 - 46)
3/21 H 248 Establishes Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/21 SB 21 Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
3/15 HB 1229 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
3/14 HB 2022 Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/13 SB 81 Establishes the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/12 SB 26 Amends State Tax Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/11 HB 1228 Establishes a Background Check Fee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/07 HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
3/06 S 1117 Authorizes Permits for Heavy Trucks on Certain Routes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
3/04 SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
2/28 SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
2/27 SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/20 SB 375 Authorizes the International Sale of Horse Meat for Human Consumption Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
2/19 HB 80 Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
2/19 HB 80 Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
2/14 HF 9 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
2/14 SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/14 SB 88 Repeals Regulations on Telephone Utility Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
2/14 SB 622 Increases Physician License Fees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
2/09 SB 96 Reduces Business Equipment Tax Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
2/07 SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
11/29 A 2162 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
11/29 S 2241 Prohibits Unauthorized Medical Provider Reimbursement Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
11/29 SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
8/22 AB 2327 Increases Penalties for the Misuse of Funds by Charitable Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
7/19 S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
7/12 S 2237 Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
7/02 SB 900 Establishes Regulations for Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
7/02 AB 278 Establishes Regulations for Foreclosure Procedures on Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
6/11 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/07 S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/31 SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
5/31 HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
5/31 SB 956 Regulates Buy-Here-Pay-Here Car Loans and Lenders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
5/30 SB 1054 Requires Notifying Property Owners Prior to Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
5/29 SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
5/24 S Amdt 2107 Authorizes Import of FDA-Approved Drugs from Canada Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 54)
5/16 HB 322 Repeals Limits on Credit Card Interest Rates for Certain Banks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/15 HR 2072 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
5/15 HR 2072 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 20)
5/10 SB 205 Requires Manufactured Home Community Owners to Explain Rent Increases Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/03 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 25)
5/03 SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks Veto Override Failed - Senate (37 - 29)
5/03 HB 2815 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
5/02 SB 513 Authorizes Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/01 HB 5021 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Sundays and Certain Holidays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
4/30 SB 2576 Amends worker's compensation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 15)
4/24 SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 17)
4/24 HF 2460 Limits Tax Increment Financing Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
4/03 HB 2199 Authorizes Confidential Environmental Audits by Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
3/30 SB 3 Limits Over-the-Counter Purchases of Cold Medicine Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
3/20 S Amdt 1836 Reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
3/20 S Amdt 1836 Reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (55 - 44)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/14 SB 2576 Amends Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 13)
3/09 HB 1149 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
3/08 SB 1338 Requires Online Retailers to Pay Sales Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 20)

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