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
Jan. 6, 2010 CA SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 6, 2010 CA SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Jan. 6, 2010 NH HB 569 Expanding Coverage Requirements for Autism Disorders Bill Passed - House (213 - 147)
Jan. 5, 2010 CA SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
Jan. 5, 2010 CA SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
Dec. 16, 2009 OH HB 60 Restrictions on Snack and Beverage Sales in Schools Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
Dec. 10, 2009 NJ A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Dec. 3, 2009 National S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
Nov. 5, 2009 WI AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
Nov. 3, 2009 CA SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Sept. 2, 2009 CA AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Aug. 12, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
July 31, 2009 AZ HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - House (35 - 11)
June 29, 2009 PA HB 746 Children's Health Care Insurance Bill Passed - House (106 - 94)
June 25, 2009 NJ S 1175 Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18)
June 24, 2009 NC HB 442 Regulating the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4183 Health Insurance for Autism Bill Passed - House (84 - 25)
June 24, 2009 MI HB 4476 Health Insurance for Autism Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
June 23, 2009 NC SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 57)
June 22, 2009 AZ SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
June 19, 2009 CT SB 2001 Employment and Training Funds for Disadvantaged Workers Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
June 15, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
June 9, 2009 WI SB 167 Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
June 4, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 17)
June 3, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 1, 2009 TN HJR 369 Opposing the Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
May 28, 2009 LA HB 834 Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
May 27, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
May 18, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 18, 2009 MN SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
May 15, 2009 TX HB 2962 Childrens' Health Care Bill Passed - House (87 - 55)
May 12, 2009 LA HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
May 6, 2009 NC SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
May 4, 2009 OR HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
May 4, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
May 2, 2009 ND SB 2162 Child Care Background Checks Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 20)
April 27, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
April 24, 2009 ND HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
April 23, 2009 WI SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
April 16, 2009 MN Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
April 16, 2009 NC HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
April 15, 2009 TX SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 10, 2009 ND HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38)
April 6, 2009 ND HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
April 2, 2009 AK HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
April 2, 2009 MI HB 4455 Mortgage Payment Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
April 1, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
March 31, 2009 National HR 1388 National Volunteer Program Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (275 - 149)
March 26, 2009 National HR 1388 National Volunteer Program Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 19)
March 25, 2009 OR HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 531 Parental Notification for Underage Abortion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 160)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 18, 2009 National HR 1388 National Volunteer Program Expansion Bill Passed - House (321 - 105)
March 16, 2009 ID S 1089 Eliminating Child Safety Seat Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
March 11, 2009 NH SB 115 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
March 11, 2009 OR HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
March 11, 2009 MI HB 4455 Mortgage Payment Modifications Bill Passed - House (74 - 34)
March 9, 2009 UT HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
March 9, 2009 UT SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
March 9, 2009 AR HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
March 4, 2009 UT SB 61 Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
March 4, 2009 WA HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
March 4, 2009 MI HB 4132 School Attendance Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 37)
Feb. 25, 2009 NM SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
Feb. 9, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 6, 2009 ND HB 1508 State-Sponsored Children's Savings Accounts Bill Failed - House (28 - 64)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Feb. 3, 2009 MT HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
Feb. 2, 2009 ND SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
Jan. 29, 2009 National HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32)
Jan. 29, 2009 WY HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Jan. 28, 2009 WY SF 65 Ban on Texting While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Jan. 28, 2009 AR HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Jan. 26, 2009 WY HB 98 Mandatory Minimum Sentence for Sexual Assault of a Minor Bill Failed - House (20 - 39)
Jan. 14, 2009 National HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - House (289 - 139)
Dec. 4, 2008 MI HB 4404 Prohibiting Life Without Parole Sentencing for Juveniles Bill Passed - House (59 - 47)
Dec. 4, 2008 MI HB 4405 Juvenile Parole Eligibility Reform Bill Passed - House (63 - 43)
Nov. 21, 2008 NE LB 1 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
Nov. 18, 2008 NE Amdt 4 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 26)
Aug. 19, 2008 IL HB 5285 Extending Parental Health Insurance to Unmarried Dependents Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
Aug. 19, 2008 NM SB 24 Tax Rebate Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
Aug. 19, 2008 NM HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit Increase Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Aug. 18, 2008 NM SB 22 Subsidizing Children's Health Care Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
Aug. 18, 2008 NM SB 24 Tax Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Aug. 16, 2008 NM HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit Increase Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
Aug. 13, 2008 IL HB 5285 Extending Parental Health Insurance to Unmarried Dependents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 21)
Aug. 13, 2008 CA AB 86 Cyber-Bullying Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 11, 2008 CA AB 86 Cyber-Bullying Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
July 17, 2008 NC HB 2340 Prohibiting Children from Riding in Pickup Truck Beds Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
June 23, 2008 NJ S 1557 FamilyCare Expansion bill Bill Passed - House (59 - 18)
June 19, 2008 LA SB 137 Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (70 - 19)
June 12, 2008 RI H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
May 27, 2008 MI Byrnes Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For Rape And Incest Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
May 22, 2008 IL HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
May 15, 2008 MN SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
May 13, 2008 PA SB 1278 Child Support Fee Bill Passed - House (116 - 84)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/06 SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/06 SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
1/06 HB 569 Expanding Coverage Requirements for Autism Disorders Bill Passed - House (213 - 147)
1/05 SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (45 - 17)
1/05 SBx5 4 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (41 - 27)
12/16 HB 60 Restrictions on Snack and Beverage Sales in Schools Bill Passed - House (60 - 37)
12/10 A 2762 Authorizing Reduction of Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses in School Zones Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
12/03 S Amdt 2791 Preventive Services Coverage Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (61 - 39)
11/05 AB 458 Sex Education Curriculum Requirements Bill Passed - House (48 - 43)
11/03 SBx5 1 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
9/02 AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
8/12 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
7/31 HB 2013 Budget Reconciliation (Health and Welfare) Bill Passed - House (35 - 11)
6/29 HB 746 Children's Health Care Insurance Bill Passed - House (106 - 94)
6/25 S 1175 Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18)
6/24 HB 442 Regulating the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25)
6/24 HB 4183 Health Insurance for Autism Bill Passed - House (84 - 25)
6/24 HB 4476 Health Insurance for Autism Bill Passed - House (83 - 25)
6/23 SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 57)
6/22 SB 1440 Smoking in Cars with Minors Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20)
6/19 SB 2001 Employment and Training Funds for Disadvantaged Workers Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
6/15 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
6/09 SB 167 Decreasing the Minimum Hunting Age Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
6/04 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 17)
6/03 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/01 HJR 369 Opposing the Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
5/28 HB 834 Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
5/27 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 2)
5/18 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/18 SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - House (95 - 39)
5/15 HB 2962 Childrens' Health Care Bill Passed - House (87 - 55)
5/12 HB 60 Birth Certificates for Adoption Bill Passed - House (78 - 17)
5/06 SB 526 Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
5/04 HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
5/04 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
5/02 SB 2162 Child Care Background Checks Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 20)
4/27 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
4/24 HB 1478 Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility Expansion Conference Report Rejected - House (41 - 47)
4/23 SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
4/17 SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 22)
4/16 Limmer Amdt Homosexuality in Education Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 37)
4/16 HB 88 Parental Choice Between Abstinence-Only or Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
4/15 SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/10 HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 38)
4/06 HB 1171 Home School Deregulation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
4/02 HB 35 Parental Consent for Underage Abortions Bill Passed - House (22 - 14)
4/02 HB 4455 Mortgage Payment Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
4/01 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Failed - House (31 - 58)
3/31 HR 1388 National Volunteer Program Expansion Concurrence Vote Passed - House (275 - 149)
3/26 HR 1388 National Volunteer Program Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 19)
3/25 HB 2599 Expanding School Bullying Law Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
3/24 HB 531 Parental Notification for Underage Abortion "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 160)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/18 HR 1388 National Volunteer Program Expansion Bill Passed - House (321 - 105)
3/16 S 1089 Eliminating Child Safety Seat Exemptions Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
3/11 SB 115 Expanding Subsidized Health Care Program Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 4)
3/11 HB 2509 Sexual Education Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
3/11 HB 4455 Mortgage Payment Modifications Bill Passed - House (74 - 34)
3/09 HB 171 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (50 - 23)
3/09 SB 225 Extending CHIP and Medicaid Coverage to Children of Documented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 14)
3/09 HB 1700 Expanding Eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (82 - 14)
3/04 SB 61 Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Extracurricular Activities Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16)
3/04 HB 1329 Child Care Center Unionization Bill Passed - House (65 - 31)
3/04 HB 4132 School Attendance Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 37)
2/25 SB 44 Prohibiting Smoking in Cars with Children Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
2/24 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
2/09 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/06 HB 1508 State-Sponsored Children's Savings Accounts Bill Failed - House (28 - 64)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
2/03 HB 157 Children's Health Insurance Program Appropriations and Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 40)
2/02 SB 2070 Ban on Smoking in Cars with Children Passengers Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 10)
1/29 HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 32)
1/29 HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
1/28 SF 65 Ban on Texting While Driving Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
1/28 HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
1/26 HB 98 Mandatory Minimum Sentence for Sexual Assault of a Minor Bill Failed - House (20 - 39)
1/14 HR 2 Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization and Expansion Bill Passed - House (289 - 139)
12/04 HB 4404 Prohibiting Life Without Parole Sentencing for Juveniles Bill Passed - House (59 - 47)
12/04 HB 4405 Juvenile Parole Eligibility Reform Bill Passed - House (63 - 43)
11/21 LB 1 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
11/18 Amdt 4 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 26)
8/19 HB 5285 Extending Parental Health Insurance to Unmarried Dependents Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
8/19 SB 24 Tax Rebate Bill Passed - House (51 - 16)
8/19 HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit Increase Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
8/18 SB 22 Subsidizing Children's Health Care Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
8/18 SB 24 Tax Rebate Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
8/16 HB 4 Working Families Tax Credit Increase Bill Passed - House (39 - 25)
8/13 HB 5285 Extending Parental Health Insurance to Unmarried Dependents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 21)
8/13 AB 86 Cyber-Bullying Enforcement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/11 AB 86 Cyber-Bullying Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
7/17 HB 2340 Prohibiting Children from Riding in Pickup Truck Beds Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
6/23 S 1557 FamilyCare Expansion bill Bill Passed - House (59 - 18)
6/19 SB 137 Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (70 - 19)
6/12 H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
5/27 Byrnes Amdt: Late-Term/Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Exception For Rape And Incest Amendment Rejected - House (41 - 66)
5/22 HB 2310 Truancy, Information Sharing, and Fines Bill Passed - House (85 - 25)
5/15 SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (83 - 50)
5/13 SB 1278 Child Support Fee Bill Passed - House (116 - 84)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)

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