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
Feb. 9, 2012 NM HB 42 Increasing Contribution to Legislative Pension Plan Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
Feb. 9, 2012 MO HB 1104 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (101 - 54)
Feb. 8, 2012 National HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
Feb. 8, 2012 National HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
Feb. 8, 2012 ID HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
Feb. 6, 2012 VA SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 4, 2012 NM HB 111 Increases Penalties for Public Officials who Commit Crimes Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
Feb. 3, 2012 FL SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2012 FL SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2012 FL SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2012 GA HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
Feb. 3, 2012 GA HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
Feb. 3, 2012 UT HB 253 Removal of Voters from Voter Registration List Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S Amdt 1491 Requires Disclosure of Financial Transactions by Executive Branch Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 41)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S Amdt 1472 Prohibits Consideration of Bills Containing Earmarks Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 59)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
Feb. 2, 2012 National S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
Feb. 1, 2012 National HR 3835 Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers Bill Passed - House (309 - 117)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
Feb. 1, 2012 National HR 3835 Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers Bill Passed - House (309 - 117)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
Feb. 1, 2012 WA EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Feb. 1, 2012 VA HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Feb. 1, 2012 RI S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN HB 1007 Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
Jan. 31, 2012 CA AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
Jan. 31, 2012 IN HB 1269 Authorizes Indiana to Join the Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT SB 125 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2012 UT SB 125 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
Jan. 27, 2012 IN H Amdt 3 Drug and Alcohol Testing for Legislators Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 40)
Jan. 26, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Jan. 26, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
Jan. 23, 2012 IN SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Jan. 20, 2012 VA HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Jan. 20, 2012 VA HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Jan. 19, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 19, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
Jan. 19, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 19, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
Jan. 19, 2012 CO HR 1003 Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Resolution Passed - House (33 - 31)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Jan. 18, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
Jan. 18, 2012 TN SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Jan. 18, 2012 KY HB 30 Authorizes Advertising on School Buses Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
Jan. 18, 2012 NH HB 228 Prohibits the Use of Public Funds for Abortion Bill Passed - House (207 - 147)
Jan. 18, 2012 NH CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
Jan. 18, 2012 NH CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
Jan. 18, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
Jan. 18, 2012 National H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Jan. 13, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Jan. 13, 2012 VA HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
Jan. 13, 2012 VA HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
Jan. 12, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
Jan. 12, 2012 TN HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
Jan. 12, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Jan. 12, 2012 TN HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
Jan. 5, 2012 NH HB 628 Recording and Tracking Complaints of Abuse by Transportation Security Agents Bill Passed - House (188 - 136)
Dec. 20, 2011 PA SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (136 - 61)
Dec. 20, 2011 PA SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (136 - 61)
Dec. 14, 2011 OH HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Dec. 14, 2011 National S J Res 10 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Hatch Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
Dec. 14, 2011 OH HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
Dec. 14, 2011 OH HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (77 - 17)
Dec. 14, 2011 National S J Res 24 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Udall Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 79)
Dec. 14, 2011 OH HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (77 - 17)
Dec. 14, 2011 PA SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Dec. 14, 2011 PA SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
Dec. 6, 2011 National PN 5 Nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan to the District of Columbia Circuit Court Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
Dec. 2, 2011 National HR 3010 Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies Bill Passed - House (253 - 167)
Dec. 1, 2011 National HR 3463 Repeals Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (235 - 190)
Nov. 30, 2011 NH CACR 14 Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Legislature to Set Standards for Public Education Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 264)
Nov. 18, 2011 National H J Res 2 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Joint Resolution Failed - House (261 - 165)
Nov. 16, 2011 National HR 822 Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - House (272 - 154)
Nov. 10, 2011 MI HB 4326 Prohibits State Agencies from Adopting Rules Stricter than Federal Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 48)
Nov. 10, 2011 MI HB 4326 Prohibits State Agencies from Adopting Rules Stricter than Federal Rules Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Nov. 10, 2011 National S J Res 27 Disapproval of EPA Cross-Border Pollution Rule Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 56)
Nov. 10, 2011 ND HB 1474 Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange Bill Failed - House (30 - 64)
Nov. 10, 2011 MI SB 693 Establishes MIHealth Marketplace Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Nov. 9, 2011 MI HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39)
Nov. 9, 2011 ND HB 1473 New Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Nov. 9, 2011 ND HB 1473 New Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Nov. 8, 2011 ND HB 1473 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 32)
Nov. 8, 2011 ND HB 1473 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 32)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
Nov. 7, 2011 NC HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/09 HB 42 Increasing Contribution to Legislative Pension Plan Bill Passed - House (56 - 10)
2/09 HB 1104 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - House (101 - 54)
2/08 HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
2/08 HR 3521 Authorizes the President to Line-Item Veto Certain Legislation Bill Passed - House (254 - 173)
2/08 HB 391 Repeals the Presidential Primary Election Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/06 SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/04 HB 111 Increases Penalties for Public Officials who Commit Crimes Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
2/03 SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
2/03 SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
2/03 SB 1174 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (80 - 37)
2/03 HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
2/03 HB 829 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (101 - 53)
2/03 HB 253 Removal of Voters from Voter Registration List Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
2/02 S Amdt 1491 Requires Disclosure of Financial Transactions by Executive Branch Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 41)
2/02 S Amdt 1472 Prohibits Consideration of Bills Containing Earmarks Amendment Rejected - Senate (40 - 59)
2/02 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
2/02 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
2/02 S 2038 Prohibits Insider Trading by Government Officials Bill Passed - Senate (96 - 3)
2/01 HR 3835 Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers Bill Passed - House (309 - 117)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (56 - 12)
2/01 HR 3835 Extends Pay Freeze for Congress and Non-Military Federal Workers Bill Passed - House (309 - 117)
2/01 EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
2/01 EHCR 4409 Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
2/01 HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
2/01 S 2178 State Senate, State House, and Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 2)
1/31 HB 1007 Requires Drug Testing for TANF Applicants Bill Passed - House (73 - 23)
1/31 AB 1148 Requires Political Advertisements to Disclose Funding Sources Bill Failed - House (52 - 26)
1/31 HB 1269 Authorizes Indiana to Join the Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - House (62 - 35)
1/27 HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
1/27 SB 125 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
1/27 HB 286 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 0)
1/27 SB 125 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (69 - 0)
1/27 H Amdt 3 Drug and Alcohol Testing for Legislators Amendment Adopted - House (55 - 40)
1/26 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
1/26 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Motion Rejected - Senate (44 - 54)
1/23 SB 170 Nepotism and Conflicts of Interest in Local Government Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
1/20 HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
1/20 HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
1/19 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/19 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
1/19 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/19 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
1/19 HR 1003 Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Resolution Passed - House (33 - 31)
1/18 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
1/18 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
1/18 SB 1514 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (75 - 19)
1/18 HB 1 State Senate, House, and Judicial Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
1/18 HB 30 Authorizes Advertising on School Buses Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
1/18 HB 228 Prohibits the Use of Public Funds for Abortion Bill Passed - House (207 - 147)
1/18 CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
1/18 CACR 13 Prohibits New Personal Income Taxes Resolution Passed - House (257 - 101)
1/18 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
1/18 H J Res 98 Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (239 - 176)
1/13 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
1/13 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
1/13 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
1/13 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
1/13 HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
1/13 HB 251 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (74 - 21)
1/12 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
1/12 HB 1558 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (68 - 25)
1/12 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
1/12 HB 1555 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (67 - 25)
1/05 HB 628 Recording and Tracking Complaints of Abuse by Transportation Security Agents Bill Passed - House (188 - 136)
12/20 SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (136 - 61)
12/20 SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (136 - 61)
12/14 HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
12/14 S J Res 10 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Hatch Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (47 - 53)
12/14 HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
12/14 HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (77 - 17)
12/14 S J Res 24 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Udall Bill) Amendment Rejected - Senate (21 - 79)
12/14 HB 369 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (77 - 17)
12/14 SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
12/14 SB 1249 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
12/06 PN 5 Nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan to the District of Columbia Circuit Court Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (54 - 45)
12/02 HR 3010 Establishes Additional Requirements for Regulatory Agencies Bill Passed - House (253 - 167)
12/01 HR 3463 Repeals Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns Bill Passed - House (235 - 190)
11/30 CACR 14 Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Legislature to Set Standards for Public Education Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 264)
11/18 H J Res 2 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Joint Resolution Failed - House (261 - 165)
11/16 HR 822 Requiring State Reciprocity for Carrying Concealed Firearms Bill Passed - House (272 - 154)
11/10 HB 4326 Prohibits State Agencies from Adopting Rules Stricter than Federal Rules Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 48)
11/10 HB 4326 Prohibits State Agencies from Adopting Rules Stricter than Federal Rules Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
11/10 S J Res 27 Disapproval of EPA Cross-Border Pollution Rule Motion Rejected - Senate (41 - 56)
11/10 HB 1474 Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange Bill Failed - House (30 - 64)
11/10 SB 693 Establishes MIHealth Marketplace Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
11/09 HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39)
11/09 HB 1473 New Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
11/09 HB 1473 New Legislative Districts Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
11/08 HB 1473 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 32)
11/08 HB 1473 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (60 - 32)
11/07 HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
11/07 HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 49)
11/07 HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
11/07 SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 46)
11/07 SB 283 State Senate Redistricting Bill Passed - House (61 - 46)
11/07 SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
11/07 SB 689 Congressional Redistricting Bill Passed - House (62 - 46)
11/07 HB 777 State House Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)

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