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
March 5, 2014 OK HB 2638 Requires an Individual Arrested for Certain Crimes to Submit DNA Bill Failed - House (35 - 51)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 493 Requires Abortion Patients to be Informed of Perinatal Services Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
March 4, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
March 3, 2014 GA HB 772 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
Feb. 28, 2014 KY HB 351 Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
Feb. 28, 2014 KY HB 351 Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2014 ID S 1337 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2014 WV HB 4588 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (79 - 17)
Feb. 25, 2014 OK HB 2070 Prohibits Certain Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (73 - 14)
Feb. 25, 2014 WV HB 4001 Authorizes False Claims Lawsuits Bill Failed - House (42 - 55)
Feb. 24, 2014 WV HB 4490 Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
Feb. 20, 2014 AZ SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Feb. 20, 2014 AZ SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Feb. 20, 2014 SD HB 1229 Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2014 KY HB 64 Authorizes Felony Record Expungement Bill Passed - House (79 - 21)
Feb. 18, 2014 WI AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
Feb. 18, 2014 GA HB 875 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations Bill Passed - House (119 - 56)
Feb. 17, 2014 OR HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2014 MS H Amdt 1 Exempts Pregnancies that Result from Rape or Incest from 20 Week Abortion Prohibition Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
Feb. 11, 2014 IA HF 2175 Prohibits Webcam Abortions Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
Feb. 6, 2014 SD HB 1185 Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses Bill Passed - House (36 - 32)
Feb. 4, 2014 MI SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Feb. 3, 2014 VA HB 706 Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
Jan. 29, 2014 IN HB 1205 Establishes Civil Proceeding Advance Payment Transactions Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
Jan. 28, 2014 VA HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 40)
Jan. 27, 2014 NY A 8070 Requires Equal Pay Bill Passed - House (88 - 43)
Jan. 23, 2014 SC SB 308 Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18)
Jan. 22, 2014 VA HB 1052 Authorizes the Use of Alternative Methods of Execution Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
Jan. 22, 2014 OH HB 8 Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - House (63 - 29)
Jan. 15, 2014 NH HB 492 Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (170 - 162)
Jan. 15, 2014 NH HB 492 Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (170 - 162)
Jan. 15, 2014 SC H 3147 Expands Workers' Compensation for Certain Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
Dec. 5, 2013 National H Amdt 521 Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213)
Dec. 5, 2013 National H Amdt 524 Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266)
Dec. 5, 2013 National HR 3309 Innovation Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 91)
Nov. 14, 2013 National HR 2655 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (228 - 195)
Nov. 13, 2013 National HR 982 Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (221 - 199)
Nov. 6, 2013 MI SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
Oct. 10, 2013 National H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
Sept. 18, 2013 National H Amdt 463 Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241)
Sept. 18, 2013 National HR 761 National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (246 - 178)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO SB 9 Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49)
Sept. 11, 2013 MO SB 267 Prohibits the Enforcement of Foreign Laws Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 53)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/05 HB 2638 Requires an Individual Arrested for Certain Crimes to Submit DNA Bill Failed - House (35 - 51)
3/04 HB 493 Requires Abortion Patients to be Informed of Perinatal Services Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
3/04 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Seeking an Abortion Bill Passed - House (82 - 18)
3/03 HB 772 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
2/28 HB 351 Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
2/28 HB 351 Authorizes Temporary Concealed Weapons Permits for Domestic Violence Victims Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
2/26 S 1337 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
2/25 HB 4588 Prohibits Abortions After 20 Weeks Bill Passed - House (79 - 17)
2/25 HB 2070 Prohibits Certain Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill Passed - House (73 - 14)
2/25 HB 4001 Authorizes False Claims Lawsuits Bill Failed - House (42 - 55)
2/24 HB 4490 Amends Attorney General Conflict of Interest Laws Bill Passed - House (52 - 44)
2/20 SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
2/20 SB 1062 Authorizes Individuals to use Potential Infringements of Religious Freedom as a Claim or Defense Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
2/20 HB 1229 Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System Bill Passed - House (53 - 17)
2/19 HB 64 Authorizes Felony Record Expungement Bill Passed - House (79 - 21)
2/18 AB 161 Authorizes the Appeal of Court Orders that Suspend State Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 36)
2/18 HB 875 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations Bill Passed - House (119 - 56)
2/17 HB 4143 Amends Payout Procedures In Class Action Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (36 - 21)
2/13 H Amdt 1 Exempts Pregnancies that Result from Rape or Incest from 20 Week Abortion Prohibition Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 73)
2/11 HF 2175 Prohibits Webcam Abortions Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
2/06 HB 1185 Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses Bill Passed - House (36 - 32)
2/04 SB 319 Amends the Sentencing Procedure for Certain Juvenile Offenders Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
2/03 HB 706 Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
1/29 HB 1205 Establishes Civil Proceeding Advance Payment Transactions Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
1/28 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
1/28 HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - House (71 - 27)
1/28 HJR 3 Defines Marriage as Between 1 Man and 1 Woman Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 40)
1/27 A 8070 Requires Equal Pay Bill Passed - House (88 - 43)
1/23 SB 308 Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18)
1/22 HB 1052 Authorizes the Use of Alternative Methods of Execution Bill Passed - House (64 - 32)
1/22 HB 8 Authorizes Certain Employees to Carry Concealed Firearms on School Property Bill Passed - House (63 - 29)
1/15 HB 492 Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (170 - 162)
1/15 HB 492 Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (170 - 162)
1/15 H 3147 Expands Workers' Compensation for Certain Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
12/05 H Amdt 521 Authorizes Judicial Discretion in Awarding Legal Fees in Patent Lawsuits Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 213)
12/05 H Amdt 524 Limits Covered Customers to Businesses With Less Than $25 Million in Revenue Amendment Rejected - House (144 - 266)
12/05 HR 3309 Innovation Act Bill Passed - House (325 - 91)
11/14 HR 2655 Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (228 - 195)
11/13 HR 982 Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (221 - 199)
11/06 SB 652 Amends Court of Claims Judge Appointment Procedures Bill Passed - House (57 - 52)
10/10 H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
9/18 H Amdt 463 Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241)
9/18 HR 761 National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (246 - 178)
9/12 AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
9/11 SB 9 Amends Animal Abuse and Neglect Laws Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 50)
9/11 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49)
9/11 HB 436 Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 49)
9/11 SB 267 Prohibits the Enforcement of Foreign Laws Veto Override Failed - House (108 - 53)
9/11 AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)
9/11 AB 48 Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 30)

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