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 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 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. 17, 2012 National HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132)
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. 6, 2012 UT HB 210 Restricts the Use of Severance Tax Revenue Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
Dec. 20, 2011 National HR 3630 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193)
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)
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)
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)
May 31, 2011 IL HB 1723 Amending The Illinois Nuclear Safety Preparedness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 44)
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 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 - House (50 - 49)
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 14, 2011 NJ A 3648 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
Feb. 17, 2011 MN SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - House (81 - 50)
Feb. 16, 2011 AR HB 1052 Reducing Taxes on Manufacturer Utilities Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (27 - 32)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
Feb. 7, 2011 MT HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Jan. 10, 2011 NJ S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
Nov. 29, 2010 NY S 8129B Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
Sept. 29, 2010 PA SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
Aug. 30, 2010 CA AB 234 Marine Oil Shipping Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 28)
July 30, 2010 National H Amdt 773 Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards Amendment Adopted - House (216 - 195)
July 30, 2010 National HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
July 30, 2010 National HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
July 30, 2010 National HR 5851 "Whistleblower Protection" for Offshore Oil Workers Bill Passed - House (315 - 93)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1829 Renewable Energy Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 19)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 2036 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 6)
June 3, 2010 CA AB 2514 Energy Storage Targets Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 28)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
May 4, 2010 CT SB 493 Increasing Use of Renewable Energy Bill Passed - House (81 - 40)
April 18, 2010 AK SB 305 Separating Oil and Gas When Calculating Production Tax Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
April 14, 2010 HI HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 11)
April 10, 2010 MD SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard Bill Passed - House (109 - 31)
March 31, 2010 CO HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 12)
March 11, 2010 UT SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
March 8, 2010 CO HB 1001 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 26)
March 8, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
March 8, 2010 UT HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
March 3, 2010 AZ HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Feb. 25, 2010 IN SB 313 Allowing Renewable Energy Generation Credits Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 18, 2010 WY HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
Feb. 16, 2010 CO HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2010 NM HB 276 New Mexico Air Quality Act Amendments Bill Failed - House (32 - 33)
Feb. 8, 2010 VA HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
Feb. 3, 2010 CO HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Jan. 20, 2010 WA HB 2561 Energy Efficiency Improvement Bonds Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
Nov. 20, 2009 WV SB 4004 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
Sept. 16, 2009 WI SB 185 State Regulation of Wind Energy Systems Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
Sept. 12, 2009 CA SB 14 Renewable Energy Requirements Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
Aug. 10, 2009 AK HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - House (30 - 9)
July 31, 2009 National HR 3435 Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program Bill Passed - House (316 - 109)
June 26, 2009 National HR 2454 Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
June 26, 2009 National HR 2454 Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
June 25, 2009 OR HB 2472 Renewable Energy Tax Credit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 21)
June 17, 2009 OR HB 3300 Promoting Green Jobs Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 4, 2009 RI H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
June 2, 2009 WV HB 103 Alternative and Renewable Energy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
June 1, 2009 CA AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
May 8, 2009 KS HB 2369 Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18)
May 8, 2009 OR HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
May 7, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
May 6, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
April 30, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
April 29, 2009 CT HB 6636 Clean Energy Fund and Electricity Provider Bill Bill Passed - House (104 - 38)
April 27, 2009 FL HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
April 22, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
April 20, 2009 CA AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
March 27, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
Feb. 27, 2009 KS HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
Feb. 26, 2009 GA SB 31 Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Jan. 22, 2009 MS HB 1090 Increasing Public Utilities Staff Oversight Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
Nov. 17, 2008 NJ A 3374 Public Assistance Appropriations Bill Passed - House (67 - 10)
Oct. 27, 2008 NJ A 2550 Renewable Energy Facilities Within Industrial Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
Sept. 27, 2008 National HR 7081 United States - India Nuclear Agreement Bill Passed - House (298 - 117)
Sept. 26, 2008 National HR 7060 Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and Individual Credits Bill Passed - House (257 - 166)
Sept. 26, 2008 National HR 7060 Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and Individual Credits Bill Passed - House (257 - 166)
Sept. 24, 2008 National HR 2638 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (370 - 58)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
3/01 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)
2/17 HR 3630 Extends Payroll Tax Cut Conference Report Adopted - House (293 - 132)
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)
2/06 HB 210 Restricts the Use of Severance Tax Revenue Bill Failed - House (36 - 39)
12/20 HR 3630 Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Extension Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (229 - 193)
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)
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)
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)
5/31 HB 1723 Amending The Illinois Nuclear Safety Preparedness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 44)
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)
5/11 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 - House (50 - 49)
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)
3/14 A 3648 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
2/17 SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants Bill Passed - House (81 - 50)
2/16 HB 1052 Reducing Taxes on Manufacturer Utilities Bill Passed - House (88 - 8)
2/09 HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (27 - 32)
2/08 HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
2/07 HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
1/10 S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
11/29 S 8129B Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
9/29 SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
9/16 HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
8/30 AB 234 Marine Oil Shipping Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 28)
7/30 H Amdt 773 Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards Amendment Adopted - House (216 - 195)
7/30 HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
7/30 HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
7/30 HR 5851 "Whistleblower Protection" for Offshore Oil Workers Bill Passed - House (315 - 93)
7/10 HB 1829 Renewable Energy Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 19)
6/29 S 2036 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 6)
6/03 AB 2514 Energy Storage Targets Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 28)
5/28 HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding Bill Passed - House (262 - 150)
5/04 SB 493 Increasing Use of Renewable Energy Bill Passed - House (81 - 40)
4/18 SB 305 Separating Oil and Gas When Calculating Production Tax Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
4/14 HB 2421 Petroleum Tax ("Barrel Tax") Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 11)
4/10 SB 277 Modifies the Solar Energy Portfolio Standard Bill Passed - House (109 - 31)
3/31 HB 1365 Utility Emission Reduction Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 12)
3/11 SB 47 Energy Management Program Bill Passed - House (53 - 19)
3/08 HB 1001 Increasing Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 26)
3/08 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
3/08 HB 286 Prohibiting Retirement System Investment in Iranian Petroleum Bill Passed - House (39 - 34)
3/03 HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
2/25 SB 313 Allowing Renewable Energy Generation Credits Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/18 HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
2/16 HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/10 HB 276 New Mexico Air Quality Act Amendments Bill Failed - House (32 - 33)
2/08 HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
2/03 HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
1/20 HB 2561 Energy Efficiency Improvement Bonds Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
11/20 SB 4004 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 23)
9/16 SB 185 State Regulation of Wind Energy Systems Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
9/12 SB 14 Renewable Energy Requirements Bill Passed - House (49 - 28)
8/10 HB 199 Federal Funds Appropriations Veto Override Passed - House (30 - 9)
7/31 HR 3435 Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program Bill Passed - House (316 - 109)
6/26 HR 2454 Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
6/26 HR 2454 Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill Passed - House (219 - 212)
6/25 HB 2472 Renewable Energy Tax Credit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 21)
6/17 HB 3300 Promoting Green Jobs Bill Passed - House (42 - 16)
6/12 SB 76 Klamath River Dams Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/04 H 5336 Coastal Resources Management Council Bill Passed - House (60 - 8)
6/02 HB 103 Alternative and Renewable Energy Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25)
6/01 AB 920 Solar Power Energy Credit Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
5/21 A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
5/08 HB 2369 Renewable Energy Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18)
5/08 HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
5/07 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
5/06 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
4/30 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
4/29 HB 6636 Clean Energy Fund and Electricity Provider Bill Bill Passed - House (104 - 38)
4/27 HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
4/25 HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
4/22 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
4/20 AJR 3 Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25)
4/13 SB 278 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 30)
3/27 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments Bill Passed - House (93 - 46)
2/27 HB 2014 Allowing Coal Power Plants Bill Passed - House (79 - 44)
2/26 SB 31 Energy Rate Increases to Finance Nuclear Power Plant Construction Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
1/22 HB 1090 Increasing Public Utilities Staff Oversight Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
11/17 A 3374 Public Assistance Appropriations Bill Passed - House (67 - 10)
10/27 A 2550 Renewable Energy Facilities Within Industrial Districts Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
9/27 HR 7081 United States - India Nuclear Agreement Bill Passed - House (298 - 117)
9/26 HR 7060 Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and Individual Credits Bill Passed - House (257 - 166)
9/26 HR 7060 Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and Individual Credits Bill Passed - House (257 - 166)
9/24 HR 2638 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (370 - 58)

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