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
July 25, 2012 National HR 6082 Congressional Replacement of President Obama's Offshore Drilling Plan Bill Passed - House (253 - 170)
July 2, 2012 NC SB 820 Authorizes Hydraulic Fracturing Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 47)
July 2, 2012 NC SB 820 Authorizes Hydraulic Fracturing Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 13)
June 30, 2012 PA HB 761 Exempts Certain Transfers from the Realty Transfer Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (140 - 56)
June 30, 2012 PA SB 1263 Prohibits Gas Drilling in Certain Areas Bill Passed - House (123 - 74)
June 27, 2012 MA S 2214 Amends Renewable Energy Contract Requirements Bill Passed - House (135 - 16)
June 21, 2012 National HR 4480 Domestic Energy and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (248 - 163)
June 14, 2012 NC SB 820 Authorizes Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
June 6, 2012 NH HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
June 6, 2012 NH HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
June 6, 2012 NC SB 820 Authorizes Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1054 Requires Notifying Property Owners Prior to Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
May 24, 2012 NJ S 1322 Requires Participation In the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - House (45 - 33)
May 15, 2012 OH SB 315 Regulates Practice of Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
May 4, 2012 VT H 464 Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 36)
May 3, 2012 HI SB 2785 Establishes Regulations for an Undersea Power Cable Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
April 18, 2012 National HR 4348 Extension of Surface Transportation Funding and Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline Bill Passed - House (293 - 127)
April 11, 2012 NE LB 1161 Authorizes Land Study in Nebraska for Keystone XL Pipeline Route Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
April 9, 2012 AK SB 203 Establishes an Energy Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
March 30, 2012 MD HB 441 Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (88 - 47)
March 29, 2012 National S 2204 Amends Energy-Related Tax Credits Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
March 29, 2012 National S 2204 Amends Energy-Related Tax Credits Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
March 27, 2012 AK HB 9 Specifies the Powers of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Bill Passed - House (27 - 12)
March 19, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23)
March 15, 2012 NJ S 1322 Requires Participation In the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
March 14, 2012 ID H 464 Prohibits Local Ordinances from Limiting Oil and Gas Extraction Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 8, 2012 National S Amdt 1537 Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 42)
March 8, 2012 FL HB 4001 Repeals Provisions for Cap and Trade Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
March 1, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16)
March 1, 2012 FL HB 4001 Repeals Provisions for Cap and Trade Regulations Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
Feb. 28, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2012 National HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132)
Feb. 17, 2012 National HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 36)
Feb. 17, 2012 ID H 464 Prohibits Local Ordinances from Limiting Oil and Gas Extraction Bill Passed - House (54 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2012 National HR 3408 Authorizes Development of Oil Shale Resources Bill Passed - House (237 - 187)
Feb. 15, 2012 FL HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
Feb. 8, 2012 PA HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 90)
Feb. 7, 2012 PA HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2012 UT HB 210 Restricts the Use of Severance Tax Revenue Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
Jan. 30, 2012 MN Anderson Nomination Confirmation of Ellen Anderson as Public Utilities Commissioner Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 37)
Jan. 25, 2012 NH Amdt 367s Restricting Eminent Domain Petitions Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
Dec. 20, 2011 National HR 3630 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193)
Dec. 17, 2011 National S Amdt 1465 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
Dec. 13, 2011 National HR 3630 Reduces Payroll Taxes and Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (234 - 193)
Nov. 17, 2011 PA HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Bill Passed - House (107 - 76)
Nov. 15, 2011 PA SB 1100 Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Resources Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Oct. 14, 2011 National HR 2273 Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act Bill Passed - House (267 - 144)
Oct. 13, 2011 MI HB 4815 Exempts Incandescent Light Bulbs Made in Michigan from Congressional Authority Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Sept. 7, 2011 NH SB 154 Withdrawing from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Veto Override Failed - Senate (15 - 9)
July 12, 2011 National HR 2417 Repeals Energy Efficiency Standards for Incandescent Light Bulbs Motion Rejected - House (233 - 193)
June 29, 2011 NJ S 2576 Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
June 22, 2011 National HR 2021 Impact of Drilling on Air Quality Bill Passed - House (253 - 166)
June 15, 2011 OH HB 133 Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
June 15, 2011 OH HB 133 Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
June 14, 2011 National S Amdt 436 Repeals the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (40 - 59)
May 31, 2011 IL HB 1723 Amending The Illinois Nuclear Safety Preparedness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 44)
May 31, 2011 IL SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 24)
May 30, 2011 IL SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Bill Passed - House (67 - 47)
May 25, 2011 OH HB 133 Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
May 25, 2011 OH HB 133 Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
May 18, 2011 National S 953 Offshore Production and Safety Act Motion Rejected - Senate (42 - 57)
May 17, 2011 National S 940 Amending Oil Company Tax Laws Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 48)
May 11, 2011 MN SF 86 Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition Bill Passed - House (76 - 54)
May 5, 2011 National HR 1230 Offshore Leasing Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 149)
April 28, 2011 MT SB 329 Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
April 28, 2011 MT SB 329 Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 49)
April 20, 2011 MT HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
April 11, 2011 MD SB 690 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 20)
April 9, 2011 MD SB 690 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments Bill Passed - House (74 - 60)
March 31, 2011 AK HB 110 Reducing the Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - House (22 - 16)
March 30, 2011 NH HB 519 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (251 - 108)
March 29, 2011 WA SB 5251 Electric Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 14, 2011 NJ A 3648 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
Feb. 28, 2011 UT SB 270 Modifications to Sales and Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2011 MT SB 226 Amends Utility Net Metering Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Date No. Title Outcome
7/25 HR 6082 Congressional Replacement of President Obama's Offshore Drilling Plan Bill Passed - House (253 - 170)
7/02 SB 820 Authorizes Hydraulic Fracturing Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 47)
7/02 SB 820 Authorizes Hydraulic Fracturing Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 13)
6/30 HB 761 Exempts Certain Transfers from the Realty Transfer Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - House (140 - 56)
6/30 SB 1263 Prohibits Gas Drilling in Certain Areas Bill Passed - House (123 - 74)
6/27 S 2214 Amends Renewable Energy Contract Requirements Bill Passed - House (135 - 16)
6/21 HR 4480 Domestic Energy and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (248 - 163)
6/14 SB 820 Authorizes Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
6/06 HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 74)
6/06 HB 1490 Authorizes New Hamshire to Leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
6/06 SB 820 Authorizes Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
5/30 SB 1054 Requires Notifying Property Owners Prior to Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
5/24 S 1322 Requires Participation In the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - House (45 - 33)
5/15 SB 315 Regulates Practice of Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
5/04 H 464 Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 36)
5/03 SB 2785 Establishes Regulations for an Undersea Power Cable Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 3)
4/18 HR 4348 Extension of Surface Transportation Funding and Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline Bill Passed - House (293 - 127)
4/11 LB 1161 Authorizes Land Study in Nebraska for Keystone XL Pipeline Route Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
4/09 SB 203 Establishes an Energy Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
3/30 HB 441 Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (88 - 47)
3/29 S 2204 Amends Energy-Related Tax Credits Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
3/29 S 2204 Amends Energy-Related Tax Credits Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
3/27 HB 9 Specifies the Powers of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Bill Passed - House (27 - 12)
3/19 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23)
3/15 S 1322 Requires Participation In the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/14 H 464 Prohibits Local Ordinances from Limiting Oil and Gas Extraction Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/08 S Amdt 1537 Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project Amendment Rejected - Senate (56 - 42)
3/08 HB 4001 Repeals Provisions for Cap and Trade Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 5)
3/01 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16)
3/01 HB 4001 Repeals Provisions for Cap and Trade Regulations Bill Passed - House (82 - 34)
2/28 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/17 HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132)
2/17 HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 36)
2/17 H 464 Prohibits Local Ordinances from Limiting Oil and Gas Extraction Bill Passed - House (54 - 13)
2/16 HR 3408 Authorizes Development of Oil Shale Resources Bill Passed - House (237 - 187)
2/15 HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
2/08 HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Conference Report Adopted - House (101 - 90)
2/07 HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
2/06 HB 210 Restricts the Use of Severance Tax Revenue Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
1/30 Anderson Nomination Confirmation of Ellen Anderson as Public Utilities Commissioner Motion Rejected - Senate (29 - 37)
1/25 Amdt 367s Restricting Eminent Domain Petitions Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
12/20 HR 3630 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193)
12/17 S Amdt 1465 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Amendment Adopted - Senate (89 - 10)
12/13 HR 3630 Reduces Payroll Taxes and Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (234 - 193)
11/17 HB 1950 Amends Statutes Concerning Oil and Gas Resources Bill Passed - House (107 - 76)
11/15 SB 1100 Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Resources Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
10/14 HR 2273 Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act Bill Passed - House (267 - 144)
10/13 HB 4815 Exempts Incandescent Light Bulbs Made in Michigan from Congressional Authority Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
9/07 SB 154 Withdrawing from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Veto Override Failed - Senate (15 - 9)
7/12 HR 2417 Repeals Energy Efficiency Standards for Incandescent Light Bulbs Motion Rejected - House (233 - 193)
6/29 S 2576 Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Passed - House (58 - 11)
6/22 HR 2021 Impact of Drilling on Air Quality Bill Passed - House (253 - 166)
6/15 HB 133 Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
6/15 HB 133 Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
6/14 S Amdt 436 Repeals the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (40 - 59)
5/31 HB 1723 Amending The Illinois Nuclear Safety Preparedness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 44)
5/31 SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 24)
5/30 SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Bill Passed - House (67 - 47)
5/25 HB 133 Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
5/25 HB 133 Establishes the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission Bill Passed - House (54 - 41)
5/18 S 953 Offshore Production and Safety Act Motion Rejected - Senate (42 - 57)
5/17 S 940 Amending Oil Company Tax Laws Motion Rejected - Senate (52 - 48)
5/11 SF 86 Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition Bill Passed - House (76 - 54)
5/05 HR 1230 Offshore Leasing Act Bill Passed - House (266 - 149)
4/28 SB 329 Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
4/28 SB 329 Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 49)
4/20 HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
4/11 SB 690 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 20)
4/09 SB 690 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Amendments Bill Passed - House (74 - 60)
3/31 HB 110 Reducing the Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - House (22 - 16)
3/30 HB 519 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (251 - 108)
3/29 SB 5251 Electric Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/14 A 3648 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
2/28 SB 270 Modifications to Sales and Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/24 SB 226 Amends Utility Net Metering Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)

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