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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2010 | IL | SB 3695 | Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| May 5, 2010 | CT | SB 312 | Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications | Bill Passed - House (119 - 29) |
| May 5, 2010 | OK | SB 1685 | Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| May 5, 2010 | MN | HF 2614 | Health and Human Services Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
| May 5, 2010 | CT | HJ 106 | Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| May 5, 2010 | CT | SB 494 | Adjustments to State Expenditures | Bill Passed - House (93 - 57) |
| May 5, 2010 | CT | HJ 106 | Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court | Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40) |
| May 5, 2010 | CT | SB 494 | Adjustments to State Expenditures | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| May 4, 2010 | MO | HB 1764 | Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| May 4, 2010 | IL | HB 2360 | Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| May 4, 2010 | LA | HCR 144 | Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig | Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32) |
| May 4, 2010 | MN | HF 2614 | Health and Human Services Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (79 - 54) |
| May 1, 2010 | CT | SB 1 | Tax Code Amendments | Bill Passed - House (89 - 49) |
| April 30, 2010 | CT | HB 5033 | Partial Refund of Sales Tax Imposed on the Sale of School Buses with Seat Belts | Bill Passed - House (125 - 18) |
| April 30, 2010 | CT | SB 1 | Tax Code Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| April 30, 2010 | CO | HB 1408 | Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
| April 30, 2010 | CO | HB 1408 | Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
| April 29, 2010 | MO | HB 2011 | 2010-2011 Department of Social Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 63) |
| April 29, 2010 | IL | SJR 121 | Redistricting Process Modifications | Bill Failed - House (69 - 47) |
| April 29, 2010 | IL | SJR 121 | Redistricting Process Modifications | Bill Failed - House (69 - 47) |
| April 29, 2010 | CT | HB 5483 | Hotel Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (88 - 50) |
| April 28, 2010 | MO | HB 2003 | Higher Education Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - House (115 - 34) |
| April 28, 2010 | MO | HB 2002 | 2010-2010 Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 6) |
| April 28, 2010 | MO | HB 2010 | 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 70) |
| April 28, 2010 | HI | HB 2377 | Board of Education Selection Advisory Council | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 2) |
| April 28, 2010 | HI | HB 2377 | Board of Education Selection Advisory Council | Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 11) |
| April 28, 2010 | MO | HB 2010 | 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10) |
| April 28, 2010 | MO | HB 2002 | 2010-2010 Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 64) |
| April 28, 2010 | AZ | SCR 1013 | Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| April 27, 2010 | National | HR 5146 | Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase | Bill Passed - House (402 - 15) |
| April 27, 2010 | HI | HB 2376 | Requiring Board of Education Members be Appointed | Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 7) |
| April 27, 2010 | CO | HB 1200 | Temporary Limit on Income Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| April 27, 2010 | VT | SR 17 | Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement | Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13) |
| April 27, 2010 | LA | HB 251 | Superintendent of Education Qualifications | Bill Passed - House (75 - 16) |
| April 26, 2010 | CA | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| April 26, 2010 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| April 26, 2010 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| April 23, 2010 | CO | SB 190 | Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| April 22, 2010 | CA | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | (53 - 21) |
| April 22, 2010 | FL | HJR 37 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| April 22, 2010 | FL | HJR 37 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 42) |
| April 21, 2010 | NH | SB 489 | Gambling Expansion | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 158) |
| April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 91 | Limiting State Funding of Abortion | Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
| April 21, 2010 | AZ | SCR 1013 | Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor | Bill Passed - House (51 - 9) |
| April 21, 2010 | GA | HB 1198 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 91 | Limiting State Funding of Abortion | Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30) |
| April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 28 | Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families | Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69) |
| April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 18 | Reducing Funding for Public Media | Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52) |
| April 20, 2010 | GA | HB 1405 | Study of Tax Laws and Potential Modifications | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| April 20, 2010 | WI | Amdt 1 | Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood | Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/05 | SB 3695 | Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| 5/05 | SB 312 | Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications | Bill Passed - House (119 - 29) |
| 5/05 | SB 1685 | Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act | Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16) |
| 5/05 | HF 2614 | Health and Human Services Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 19) |
| 5/05 | HJ 106 | Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 9) |
| 5/05 | SB 494 | Adjustments to State Expenditures | Bill Passed - House (93 - 57) |
| 5/05 | HJ 106 | Nomination of Laura Flynn Baldini to Judge of the Superior Court | Nomination Confirmed - House (110 - 40) |
| 5/05 | SB 494 | Adjustments to State Expenditures | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 5/04 | HB 1764 | Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 5/04 | HB 2360 | Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| 5/04 | HCR 144 | Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig | Motion Agreed - House (60 - 32) |
| 5/04 | HF 2614 | Health and Human Services Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (79 - 54) |
| 5/01 | SB 1 | Tax Code Amendments | Bill Passed - House (89 - 49) |
| 4/30 | HB 5033 | Partial Refund of Sales Tax Imposed on the Sale of School Buses with Seat Belts | Bill Passed - House (125 - 18) |
| 4/30 | SB 1 | Tax Code Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 4/30 | HB 1408 | Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
| 4/30 | HB 1408 | Criteria for Judicial Determinations of Congressional Districts | Bill Passed - House (35 - 28) |
| 4/29 | HB 2011 | 2010-2011 Department of Social Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 63) |
| 4/29 | SJR 121 | Redistricting Process Modifications | Bill Failed - House (69 - 47) |
| 4/29 | SJR 121 | Redistricting Process Modifications | Bill Failed - House (69 - 47) |
| 4/29 | HB 5483 | Hotel Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (88 - 50) |
| 4/28 | HB 2003 | Higher Education Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - House (115 - 34) |
| 4/28 | HB 2002 | 2010-2010 Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 6) |
| 4/28 | HB 2010 | 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (85 - 70) |
| 4/28 | HB 2377 | Board of Education Selection Advisory Council | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 2) |
| 4/28 | HB 2377 | Board of Education Selection Advisory Council | Conference Report Adopted - House (40 - 11) |
| 4/28 | HB 2010 | 2010-2011 Department of Mental Health and Department of Health and Senior Serices Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10) |
| 4/28 | HB 2002 | 2010-2010 Education Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 64) |
| 4/28 | SCR 1013 | Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| 4/27 | HR 5146 | Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase | Bill Passed - House (402 - 15) |
| 4/27 | HB 2376 | Requiring Board of Education Members be Appointed | Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 7) |
| 4/27 | HB 1200 | Temporary Limit on Income Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - House (33 - 32) |
| 4/27 | SR 17 | Requesting Congressional Waiver From Federal Drinking Age Requirement | Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 13) |
| 4/27 | HB 251 | Superintendent of Education Qualifications | Bill Passed - House (75 - 16) |
| 4/26 | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | Nomination Confirmed - Senate (25 - 7) |
| 4/26 | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| 4/26 | AB 711 | Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| 4/23 | SB 190 | Suspension of Tax Exemption for Seniors | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14) |
| 4/22 | Maldonado Nomination | Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor | (53 - 21) |
| 4/22 | HJR 37 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| 4/22 | HJR 37 | Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate | Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 42) |
| 4/21 | SB 489 | Gambling Expansion | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (212 - 158) |
| 4/21 | Amdt 91 | Limiting State Funding of Abortion | Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
| 4/21 | SCR 1013 | Replacing Secretary of State with Lieutenant Governor | Bill Passed - House (51 - 9) |
| 4/21 | HB 1198 | Tax Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16) |
| 4/21 | Amdt 91 | Limiting State Funding of Abortion | Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30) |
| 4/21 | Amdt 28 | Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families | Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69) |
| 4/21 | Amdt 18 | Reducing Funding for Public Media | Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52) |
| 4/20 | HB 1405 | Study of Tax Laws and Potential Modifications | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| 4/20 | Amdt 1 | Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood | Amendment Tabled - House (49 - 48) |