Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 22, 2009 National S Amdt 1618 Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
July 15, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
July 15, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
July 14, 2009 PA HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
July 8, 2009 National S Amdt 1399 Requiring Completion of Reinforced Border Fencing Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
June 29, 2009 DE SB 169 Health Clinic Access Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
June 27, 2009 OR HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
June 26, 2009 OR HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
June 26, 2009 NJ A 339 Handgun Purchasing Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
June 25, 2009 NJ S 1880 Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 26)
June 24, 2009 DE SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - House (26 - 14)
June 24, 2009 DE SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
June 23, 2009 OR HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
June 22, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
June 22, 2009 AZ SB 1443 Driving While Texting Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
June 22, 2009 AZ SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
June 19, 2009 OR SB 519 Mandatory Workplace Meetings Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 18, 2009 LA HB 340 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26)
June 18, 2009 NJ S 1880 Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
June 18, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
June 18, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
June 16, 2009 AZ SB 1113 Handguns in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
June 11, 2009 National HR 1256 FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 17)
June 9, 2009 WI SB 167 Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
June 8, 2009 OR SB 519 Mandatory Workplace Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 4, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 4, 2009 DE SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
June 3, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 27)
June 3, 2009 NH HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Conference Report Adopted - House (198 - 176)
June 3, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
June 2, 2009 LA HB 639 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
June 2, 2009 CA SB 484 Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine Prescription Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
June 1, 2009 NV SB 52 New Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
June 1, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 56)
June 1, 2009 NV SB 52 New Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
May 31, 2009 TX HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
May 31, 2009 NV SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Veto Override Passed - House (28 - 14)
May 30, 2009 NV SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Veto Override Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
May 29, 2009 OR SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
May 28, 2009 NE LB 36 Requiring Lethal Injection Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
May 27, 2009 LA Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
May 27, 2009 LA HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
May 26, 2009 MI HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
May 20, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
May 20, 2009 National HR 627 Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 147)
May 20, 2009 NY S 1290 Anti-Shackling Bill Bill Passed - House (119 - 21)
May 20, 2009 NH HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
May 20, 2009 MI HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
May 20, 2009 MI HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (70 - 64)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 19)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 60)
May 15, 2009 NV SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (26 - 14)
May 14, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 14, 2009 NC SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
May 14, 2009 CA SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 13, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
May 13, 2009 CT HB 6578 Death Penalty Replacement Bill Passed - House (90 - 56)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 12, 2009 National S Amdt 1067 Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29)
May 12, 2009 NY A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 11, 2009 TX HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1274 Repeals Death Penalty Conference Report Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
May 6, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
May 6, 2009 CO SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12)
May 6, 2009 CO SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12)
May 5, 2009 ME LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Bill Passed - House (89 - 57)
May 5, 2009 OR SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
May 4, 2009 VT Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
May 4, 2009 TN HB 959 Close Handgun Permit Records Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
May 4, 2009 TN HB 959 Close Handgun Permit Records Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
April 30, 2009 CO SB 296 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 556 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
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 NH HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
April 28, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/22 S Amdt 1618 Authorizing Concealed Firearms Across State Lines Amendment Rejected - Senate (58 - 39)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
7/15 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
7/15 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
7/14 HB 264 Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records Bill Passed - House (104 - 91)
7/08 S Amdt 1399 Requiring Completion of Reinforced Border Fencing Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44)
6/29 SB 169 Health Clinic Access Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3)
6/27 HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
6/26 HB 3508 Implementing Measure 57 Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
6/26 A 339 Handgun Purchasing Limitations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/25 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
6/25 S 1880 Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 26)
6/24 SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - House (26 - 14)
6/24 SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
6/23 HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13)
6/22 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
6/22 SB 1443 Driving While Texting Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15)
6/22 SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
6/19 SB 519 Mandatory Workplace Meetings Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/18 HB 340 Religious Freedom Constitutional Amendment Concurrence Vote Failed - House (53 - 26)
6/18 S 1880 Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
6/18 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
6/18 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
6/17 HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
6/16 SB 1113 Handguns in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
6/16 HB 11 Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers Bill Failed - House (68 - 23)
6/11 HR 1256 FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 17)
6/09 SB 167 Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
6/08 SB 519 Mandatory Workplace Meetings Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/04 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/04 SB 121 Adding Sexual Orientation to Delaware Anti-Discriminatory Laws
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Veto Override Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
6/03 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (69 - 27)
6/03 HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Conference Report Adopted - House (198 - 176)
6/03 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
6/02 HB 639 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
6/02 SB 484 Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine Prescription Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
6/01 SB 52 New Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
6/01 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 56)
6/01 SB 52 New Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
5/31 HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
5/31 SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Veto Override Passed - House (28 - 14)
5/30 SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Veto Override Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
5/29 SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
5/28 SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
5/28 LB 36 Requiring Lethal Injection Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
5/27 Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
5/27 HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
5/26 HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
5/20 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
5/20 HR 627 Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (279 - 147)
5/20 S 1290 Anti-Shackling Bill Bill Passed - House (119 - 21)
5/20 HB 73 Religious Choice in Performing Marriage Ceremonies Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
5/20 HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
5/20 HB 4836 Hate Crimes Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
5/19 HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 28)
5/18 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - House (70 - 64)
5/18 HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 19)
5/18 HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 60)
5/15 SB 283 Establishing Domestic Partnerships Bill Passed - House (26 - 14)
5/14 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/14 SB 461 Racial Discrimination in Capital Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
5/14 SB 572 Harvey Milk Day Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
5/14 SB 4 Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/13 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
5/13 HB 6578 Death Penalty Replacement Bill Passed - House (90 - 56)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/12 S Amdt 1067 Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks Amendment Adopted - Senate (67 - 29)
5/12 A 7732 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - House (89 - 52)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/11 HB 1736 Increasing Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/06 HB 1274 Repeals Death Penalty Conference Report Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
5/06 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
5/06 SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12)
5/06 SB 241 DNA Sampling Upon Felony Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 12)
5/05 LD 1020 Same Sex Marriage Bill Bill Passed - House (89 - 57)
5/05 SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
5/04 Transportation Amendment to S 67 Selective Service Registration by Drivers License Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 68)
5/04 HB 959 Close Handgun Permit Records Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
5/04 HB 959 Close Handgun Permit Records Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
5/04 SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 29)
4/30 SB 296 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 HB 556 Abolishing the Death Penalty Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
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 HB 436 Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 11)
4/29 HB 648 Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
4/28 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)

arrow_upward