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
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
Nov. 19, 2013 MA Amdt 1 Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
Nov. 19, 2013 MA S 1925 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Nov. 7, 2013 National S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32)
Nov. 7, 2013 National S Amdt 2013 Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
Nov. 4, 2013 National S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 30)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 10 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Sept. 11, 2013 CA AB 241 Expands Labor Laws for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
July 23, 2013 NC SB 337 Establishes the North Carolina Charter School Advisory Board Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 11)
July 2, 2013 OR HB 2456 Appropriates Increased Tax Funds to Schools and Health Services Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
June 27, 2013 NJ ACR 199 Specifies that the Proposed Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
May 23, 2013 CT SB 387 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
May 22, 2013 RI S 256 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 22, 2013 LA SB 153 Requires Equal Pay for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 15, 2013 MN SF 778 Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
May 15, 2013 MN SF 778 Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
May 8, 2013 MN HF 92 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28)
May 7, 2013 NC SB 337 Establishes an Independent Charter School Board Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
May 1, 2013 FL HB 7009 Amends Teacher Evaluations and Charter School Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
April 30, 2013 DE SB 21 Requires the Governor to Appoint Labor Union Representatives to a State Benefits Committee Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
April 29, 2013 MO HB 34 Expands Prevailing Wage Requirements for Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
April 26, 2013 IN SB 373 Prohibits Unauthorized Entry on Industrial or Agricultural Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
April 23, 2013 MT HB 297 Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
April 20, 2013 MN SF 523 Prohibits Employers From Asking Applicants for Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 16)
April 18, 2013 AZ HB 2280 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
April 9, 2013 WI AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 4, 2013 MD SB 422 Requires Public School Teachers to Pay Labor Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 2, 2013 KS HB 2069 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
April 2, 2013 KS HB 2069 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
April 2, 2013 ME LD 611 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 26, 2013 KY SB 2 Amends the State Employee Pension Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
March 20, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 22)
March 14, 2013 KS HB 2022 Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 14, 2013 MO SB 29 Prohibits the Automatic Withdrawal of Union Fees for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 7, 2013 AL SB 41 Amends Employment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 4, 2013 NM SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Feb. 7, 2013 NJ SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 5, 2013 CO SB 25 Authorizes Statewide Firefighter Labor Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5112 Amends Scheduling Authority In Workers Compensation Rehabilitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5127 Reduces Age Requirements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5128 Authorizes Voluntary Settlements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
Jan. 31, 2013 WY SF 131 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Dec. 6, 2012 MI HB 4003 Limits Labor Organization Activities: Public Entities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
Dec. 6, 2012 MI SB 116 Prohibits Employees from Being Required to Join a Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Dec. 6, 2012 MI SB 116 Prohibits Employees from Being Required to Join a Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ A 2162 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Oct. 25, 2012 NJ S 1650 Increases Requirements for Emergency Medical Service Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2012 CA SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 28, 2012 CA AB 2132 Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 21, 2012 CA HB 2676 Increases Penalties For Agriculture Health And Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 20, 2012 CA AB 1313 Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
July 19, 2012 National S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
June 14, 2012 CA AB 2127 Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 7, 2012 RI S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 5, 2012 National S 3220 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 1447 Pension Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
May 30, 2012 LA HB 61 Amends State Workers Pensions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 8)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 16, 2012 AL HB 658 Amends Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
May 15, 2012 MD SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
May 10, 2012 LA SB 740 Limits Cost of Living Adjustments for Pensions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 3, 2012 KS HB 2333 Amends State Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
May 3, 2012 CT HB 5312 Authorizes Day Care and Personal Care Workers to Join Unions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
May 3, 2012 KS King Amendment Amends the State Retirement System for New Public Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 20)
May 1, 2012 CT SB 79 Prohibits Discrimination Against Unemployed Job Applicants Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
April 30, 2012 MS SB 2576 Amends worker's compensation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 15)
April 25, 2012 National S 1789 United States Postal Service Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
April 18, 2012 OK HB 2155 Authorizes an Alternative Plan to the Worker's Compensation Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
11/19 Amdt 1 Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
11/19 S 1925 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
11/07 S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 32)
11/07 S Amdt 2013 Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 55)
11/04 S 815 Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 Cloture Invoked - Senate (61 - 30)
9/12 AB 10 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
9/12 AB 375 Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
9/11 AB 241 Expands Labor Laws for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
7/23 SB 337 Establishes the North Carolina Charter School Advisory Board Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 11)
7/02 HB 2456 Appropriates Increased Tax Funds to Schools and Health Services Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 15)
6/27 ACR 199 Specifies that the Proposed Job Banding Rule is Not Consistent with Legislative Intent Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
5/23 SB 387 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
5/22 HB 950 Requires Equal Pay for Women Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
5/22 S 256 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/22 SB 153 Requires Equal Pay for State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/15 SF 778 Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
5/15 SF 778 Authorizes the Unionization of Family Child Care Providers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 32)
5/08 HF 92 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 28)
5/07 SB 337 Establishes an Independent Charter School Board Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
5/01 HB 7009 Amends Teacher Evaluations and Charter School Provisions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
4/30 SB 21 Requires the Governor to Appoint Labor Union Representatives to a State Benefits Committee Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 8)
4/29 HB 34 Expands Prevailing Wage Requirements for Public Works Projects Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
4/26 SB 373 Prohibits Unauthorized Entry on Industrial or Agricultural Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
4/23 HB 297 Prohibits the Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
4/20 SF 523 Prohibits Employers From Asking Applicants for Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 16)
4/18 HB 2280 Prohibits Local Governments from Establishing Employee Pay Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
4/09 AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/04 SB 422 Requires Public School Teachers to Pay Labor Union Fees Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/02 HB 2069 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
4/02 HB 2069 Prohibits Local Governments from Enforcing a Union Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
4/02 LD 611 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/26 SB 2 Amends the State Employee Pension Program Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
3/20 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 22)
3/14 HB 2022 Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/14 SB 29 Prohibits the Automatic Withdrawal of Union Fees for Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/07 SB 41 Amends Employment Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/04 SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
2/26 SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
2/07 SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/05 SB 25 Authorizes Statewide Firefighter Labor Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
2/04 SB 5112 Amends Scheduling Authority In Workers Compensation Rehabilitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
2/04 SB 5127 Reduces Age Requirements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/04 SB 5128 Authorizes Voluntary Settlements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
1/31 SF 131 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
12/06 HB 4003 Limits Labor Organization Activities: Public Entities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4)
12/06 SB 116 Prohibits Employees from Being Required to Join a Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
12/06 SB 116 Prohibits Employees from Being Required to Join a Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
11/29 A 2162 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
11/29 SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
10/25 S 1650 Increases Requirements for Emergency Medical Service Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
10/17 HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
8/31 SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
8/29 AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/28 AB 2132 Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/27 AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/21 HB 2676 Increases Penalties For Agriculture Health And Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/20 AB 1313 Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
7/19 S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
6/14 AB 2127 Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/07 S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/05 S 3220 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
5/31 HB 1447 Pension Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
5/30 HB 61 Amends State Workers Pensions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 8)
5/30 SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/16 HB 658 Amends Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
5/15 SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
5/10 SB 740 Limits Cost of Living Adjustments for Pensions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/03 HB 2333 Amends State Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
5/03 HB 5312 Authorizes Day Care and Personal Care Workers to Join Unions Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
5/03 King Amendment Amends the State Retirement System for New Public Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (20 - 20)
5/01 SB 79 Prohibits Discrimination Against Unemployed Job Applicants Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
4/30 SB 2576 Amends worker's compensation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 15)
4/25 S 1789 United States Postal Service Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
4/18 HB 2155 Authorizes an Alternative Plan to the Worker's Compensation Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 17)

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