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
June 16, 2010 MI SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
June 16, 2010 NY S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 14, 2010 NY S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (93 - 51)
June 14, 2010 NY S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 27)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
June 9, 2010 NH Amdt 2390 Eliminating Tobacco Tax Increase Amendment Rejected - House (152 - 194)
June 9, 2010 NH SSHB 1 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
June 9, 2010 NH Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
June 9, 2010 NH SSHB 1 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (177 - 167)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
June 8, 2010 LA SB 432 Oil and Gas Processing Tax Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (6 - 31)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (90 - 44)
June 7, 2010 LA Amdt 5381 Prohibits the Closing of State Motor Vehicle Offices Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 46)
June 7, 2010 LA SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 7, 2010 LA SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26)
June 4, 2010 NC SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Bill Passed - House (63 - 49)
June 3, 2010 LA SB 593 Governor's Office Records Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 24)
June 3, 2010 SC H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
June 3, 2010 SC H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 54)
June 2, 2010 NH HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Rejected - House (135 - 184)
June 2, 2010 NH HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
June 2, 2010 LA SB 1 Deposits and Transfers Regarding the Budget Stabilization Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 2, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
May 27, 2010 IL SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
May 27, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 27, 2010 IL SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
May 27, 2010 IL SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
May 27, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 27, 2010 OH HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
May 26, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
May 26, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
May 26, 2010 LA Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
May 25, 2010 OH Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
May 25, 2010 IL HB 859 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 50)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
May 25, 2010 LA SB 293 Establishes and Implements an Agency Attrition Analysis Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 24, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 2)
May 24, 2010 LA HB 1390 Limiting Legislative Per Diem Pay Bill Failed - House (51 - 31)
May 21, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 16)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
May 20, 2010 LA HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
May 20, 2010 NC SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/16 SR 158 Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
6/16 S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/14 S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (93 - 51)
6/14 S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 27)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
6/09 Amdt 2390 Eliminating Tobacco Tax Increase Amendment Rejected - House (152 - 194)
6/09 SSHB 1 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/09 HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
6/09 Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
6/09 SSHB 1 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (177 - 167)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
6/09 HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
6/09 HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
6/09 HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
6/09 HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
6/09 HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
6/09 HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
6/09 HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
6/09 HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
6/09 HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
6/09 HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
6/09 HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
6/09 HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
6/09 HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
6/09 HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
6/09 HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
6/09 HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
6/09 HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
6/09 HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
6/09 HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
6/09 HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
6/09 HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
6/09 HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
6/08 SB 432 Oil and Gas Processing Tax Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (6 - 31)
6/07 S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (90 - 44)
6/07 Amdt 5381 Prohibits the Closing of State Motor Vehicle Offices Amendment Adopted - House (51 - 46)
6/07 SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/07 SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/07 S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26)
6/04 SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Bill Passed - House (63 - 49)
6/03 SB 593 Governor's Office Records Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 24)
6/03 H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
6/03 H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 54)
6/02 HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Rejected - House (135 - 184)
6/02 HB 1459 Campaign Finance Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 10)
6/02 SB 1 Deposits and Transfers Regarding the Budget Stabilization Fund Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/02 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - House (114 - 35)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
5/27 SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
5/27 SB 704 School Change Models Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/27 SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
5/27 SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
5/27 SB 704 School Change Models Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/27 HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
5/26 SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
5/26 SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
5/26 Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
5/25 Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
5/25 HB 859 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 50)
5/25 SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
5/25 SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
5/25 SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
5/25 SB 293 Establishes and Implements an Agency Attrition Analysis Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/24 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 2)
5/24 HB 1390 Limiting Legislative Per Diem Pay Bill Failed - House (51 - 31)
5/21 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 16)
5/20 A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
5/20 HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
5/20 SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
5/20 A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)

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