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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 11, 2015 | National | S 1 | A Bill to Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (270 - 152) |
| Feb. 11, 2015 | ND | HB 1259 | Requires Performance Audits of Certain State Agencies | Bill Failed - House (22 - 67) |
| Jan. 21, 2015 | National | HR 161 | Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (253 - 169) |
| Jan. 9, 2015 | National | HR 3 | Keystone XL Pipeline Act | Bill Passed - House (266 - 153) |
| Dec. 4, 2014 | MI | HB 5205 | Defines Solid Waste as a Renewable Energy Resource | Bill Passed - House (63 - 46) |
| Nov. 14, 2014 | National | HR 5682 | To Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (252 - 161) |
| June 26, 2014 | NJ | S 1041 | Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing Waste from Being Released Into Environment | Bill Passed - House (62 - 16) |
| June 26, 2014 | National | HR 4899 | Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 185) |
| June 26, 2014 | National | HR 4899 | Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 185) |
| June 24, 2014 | National | H Amdt 956 | Prohibits Pending Pipeline Permit Applications from Receiving Automatic Approval | Amendment Rejected - House (171 - 240) |
| June 24, 2014 | National | HR 3301 | North American Energy Infrastructure Act | Bill Passed - House (238 - 173) |
| June 17, 2014 | RI | S 2690A | Establishes the Renewable Growth Energy Program | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| June 16, 2014 | NY | A 5424B | Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing for 3 Years | Bill Passed - House (96 - 37) |
| May 29, 2014 | NC | SB 786 | Repeals the Moratorium on Hydraulic Fracturing | Bill Passed - House (64 - 50) |
| May 29, 2014 | LA | SB 469 | Prohibits Government Entities from Pursuing Cause of Action under the Coastal Management Program | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
| May 22, 2014 | OK | HB 2562 | Restructures the Tax Rate for Oil and Gas Production | Conference Report Adopted - House (61 - 34) |
| May 22, 2014 | National | H Amdt 671 | Prohibits Funds from Being Used for Certain Climate Change Reports | Amendment Adopted - House (231 - 192) |
| May 19, 2014 | OK | HB 3297 | Transfers Authority of Compressed Natural Gas Administration to the Department of Labor | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 19) |
| May 14, 2014 | OH | HB 375 | Restructures the Tax on Oil and Gas Drilling Operations | Bill Passed - House (55 - 38) |
| May 12, 2014 | LA | HB 1275 | Requires Companies to Give Public Notice of Proposed Hydraulic Fracturing | Bill Failed - House (19 - 73) |
| May 7, 2014 | OH | SB 310 | Amends Energy Laws | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
| April 21, 2014 | AK | HB 287 | Authorizes Tax Credits for In-State Oil Refineries | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (32 - 7) |
| April 20, 2014 | AK | SB 138 | Establishes a Liquefied Natural Gas Production Framework | Bill Passed - House (36 - 4) |
| April 9, 2014 | AK | HB 383 | Authorizes the Governor to Appoint Non-Residents to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation Board | Bill Passed - House (27 - 12) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | HB 1168 | Prohibits the Construction of a Wind-Powered Generating Station | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (100 - 24) |
| April 4, 2014 | ME | LD 1838 | Establishes The Affordable Heating From Maine's Forest Fund | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (89 - 53) |
| March 26, 2014 | KS | HB 2014 | Repeals the Kansas Renewable Energy Standards Act | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (44 - 77) |
| March 25, 2014 | National | HR 2824 | Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America | Bill Passed - House (229 - 192) |
| March 12, 2014 | KY | HB 445 | Increases the Wholesale Price of Gasoline | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 585 | Prohibits the Social Cost of Carbon from Being Included in Agency Determinations | Amendment Adopted - House (222 - 188) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | H Amdt 587 | Exempts Certain Nuclear Facility Construction Projects from Environmental Review Time Frame Requirements | Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 220) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | HR 2641 | Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (229 - 179) |
| March 6, 2014 | National | HR 3826 | Electricity Security and Affordability Act | Bill Passed - House (229 - 183) |
| Feb. 26, 2014 | IN | SB 340 | Amends Customer Participation Requirements in Certain Energy Efficiency Programs | Bill Passed - House (69 - 26) |
| Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 515 | Prohibits the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act from Taking Effect During the Sequester | Amendment Rejected - House (175 - 243) |
| Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 513 | Removes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Permit Issuance Requirement | Amendment Rejected - House (184 - 233) |
| Nov. 21, 2013 | National | H Amdt 512 | Requires Natural Gas Pipeline Applications to Include Certain Information | Amendment Rejected - House (183 - 233) |
| Nov. 21, 2013 | National | HR 1900 | Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act | Bill Passed - House (252 - 165) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 499 | Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 503 | Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 503 | Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities | Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 498 | Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition | Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 507 | Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions | Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 507 | Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions | Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 504 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission | Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 504 | Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission | Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | H Amdt 499 | Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions | Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 1965 | Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 1965 | Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (228 - 192) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 2728 | Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 187) |
| Nov. 20, 2013 | National | HR 2728 | Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 187) |
| Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | SB 4 | Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Laws | Bill Passed - House (54 - 20) |
| Aug. 2, 2013 | National | H Amdt 448 | Requires Congressional Approval Prior to Establishing a Tax on Carbon Emissions | Amendment Adopted - House (237 - 176) |
| Aug. 1, 2013 | National | HR 1582 | Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (232 - 181) |
| July 25, 2013 | National | HR 2218 | Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 | Bill Passed - House (265 - 155) |
| July 22, 2013 | NC | SB 76 | Amends Hydraulic Fracturing Requirements and Authorizes Off-Shore Drilling | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 40) |
| July 7, 2013 | OR | SB 838 | Prohibits Motorized Mining | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
| June 28, 2013 | National | HR 2231 | Offshore Energy and Jobs Act | Bill Passed - House (235 - 186) |
| May 30, 2013 | OR | SB 692 | Requires Certain Electronics to Meet Energy Efficiency Standards | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| May 22, 2013 | IL | SB 9 | Increases Utility Rates | Veto Override Passed - House (71 - 41) |
| May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 71 | Repeals Requirement that Secretary of the Army Approve All Keystone XL Pipeline Permit Applications | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234) |
| May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 69 | Requires Threat Assessment of Pipeline Vulnerabilities to a Terrorist Attack | Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 239) |
| May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 72 | Increases Time to File a Claim Under the Northern Route Approval Act from 60 Days to 1 Year | Amendment Rejected - House (182 - 234) |
| May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 67 | Requires a Finding be Added Concerning Oil Sand Crudes | Amendment Rejected - House (146 - 269) |
| May 22, 2013 | National | H Amdt 75 | Requires All Oil and Refined Fuels Transported Through the Keystone XL Pipeline to be Used Only in The United States | Amendment Rejected - House (162 - 255) |
| May 22, 2013 | National | HR 3 | Northern Route Approval Act | Bill Passed - House (241 - 175) |
| May 8, 2013 | ME | LD 115 | Prohibits the Sale of Gasoline Containing Corn-Based Ethanol | Bill Passed - House (109 - 32) |
| May 7, 2013 | MN | HF 956 | Amends Solar Energy Requirements | Bill Passed - House (70 - 63) |
| May 6, 2013 | OK | HB 2005 | Extends Tax Credits for Qualified Clean-Burning Motor Vehicle Property | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 29) |
| May 1, 2013 | ND | HB 1234 | Reduces Oil Extraction Tax | Conference Report Rejected - House (21 - 71) |
| April 27, 2013 | IN | SB 494 | Establishes New Standards for the Gasification Plant Project | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 28) |
| April 13, 2013 | AK | SB 21 | Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure | Bill Passed - House (27 - 12) |
| April 13, 2013 | AK | SB 21 | Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure | Bill Passed - House (24 - 15) |
| April 9, 2013 | CO | HB 1269 | Amends Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Procedures | Bill Passed - House (34 - 29) |
| March 27, 2013 | NH | HB 617 | Increases Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Tax | Bill Passed - House (206 - 158) |
| March 22, 2013 | MD | HB 1515 | Increases the Gas Tax | Bill Passed - House (76 - 63) |
| March 21, 2013 | IL | SB 9 | Increases Utility Rates | Bill Passed - House (86 - 28) |
| March 18, 2013 | MD | HB 226 | Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 48) |
| March 13, 2013 | UT | HB 96 | Extends Tax Credits for Certain Vehicles | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 12) |
| March 6, 2013 | NY | A 5424 | Establishes a Two-Year Moratorium on Hydraulic Fracturing | Bill Passed - House (103 - 40) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | MS | HB 844 | Exempts Certain Sales Taxes for Agricultural Businesses | Bill Passed - House (75 - 43) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | VA | HB 2313 | Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 40) |
| Feb. 22, 2013 | MD | HB 226 | Establishes Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credits | Bill Passed - House (86 - 48) |
| Sept. 25, 2012 | PA | SB 367 | Authorizes Natural Resource Development | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (136 - 62) |
| Sept. 21, 2012 | National | HR 3409 | Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (233 - 175) |
| Sept. 14, 2012 | National | HR 6213 | No More Solyndras Act | Bill Passed - House (245 - 161) |
| July 25, 2012 | National | HR 6168 | President Obama's Proposed 2012-2017 Offshore Drilling Lease Sale Plan Act | Bill Failed - House (164 - 261) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| May 24, 2012 | NJ | S 1322 | Requires Participation In the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative | Bill Passed - House (45 - 33) |
| May 4, 2012 | VT | H 464 | Prohibits Hydraulic Fracturing | Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 36) |
| April 18, 2012 | National | HR 4348 | Extension of Surface Transportation Funding and Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline | Bill Passed - House (293 - 127) |
| March 30, 2012 | MD | HB 441 | Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 | Bill Passed - House (88 - 47) |