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. 23, 2011 MT HB 382 Nullification of Federal Laws Bill Failed - House (42 - 57)
Feb. 23, 2011 MI HB 4216 Local Governments Fiscal Accountability Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
Feb. 23, 2011 MI HB 4216 Local Governments Fiscal Accountability Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
Feb. 23, 2011 MT HB 516 Limiting Local Ordinances Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
Feb. 22, 2011 CO HB 1003 Changes to Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
Feb. 22, 2011 GA HB 92 Limits Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (148 - 20)
Feb. 21, 2011 ND HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
Feb. 19, 2011 National H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
Feb. 17, 2011 IA HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2011 IA HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
Feb. 17, 2011 ND HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
Feb. 16, 2011 ID H 117 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 16, 2011 AR HB 1002 Capital Gains Reduction Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
Feb. 16, 2011 MT HB 206 Constitutional Amendment on Freedom to Choose Health Insurance Coverage Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2011 SC H 3507 Call For Constitutional Convention Resolution Passed - House (72 - 44)
Feb. 16, 2011 MT HB 206 Constitutional Amendment on Freedom to Choose Health Insurance Coverage Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 31)
Feb. 16, 2011 ND HCR 3016 Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
Feb. 15, 2011 CA AB 110 Wrongful Death Claim of Josefa Godinez Merida Resolution Passed - House (7 - 1)
Feb. 11, 2011 KS HCR 5007 Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
Feb. 11, 2011 KS HCR 5007 Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
Feb. 7, 2011 ID HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 4, 2011 MT HB 180 Revise Close of Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
Feb. 2, 2011 IA HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 2, 2011 NC HB 2 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
Feb. 1, 2011 IA HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
Feb. 1, 2011 ID H 26 Increment in fees for felonies and misdemeanors Bill Failed - House (31 - 35)
Jan. 28, 2011 MT HB 130 Expansion of Elections that Can Be Conducted By Mail Bill Failed - House (42 - 57)
Jan. 26, 2011 SC H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
Jan. 25, 2011 WI AB 5 Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote in the Legislature for Tax Increases Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
Jan. 25, 2011 WI AB 7 Small Business Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
Jan. 20, 2011 AZ SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
Jan. 20, 2011 AR HB 1115 Absentee Mayor Bill Passed - House (70 - 22)
Jan. 13, 2011 MT HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
Jan. 11, 2011 MO HR 39 Attorney General Challenge of the Federal Health Care Law Resolution Passed - House (115 - 46)
Jan. 10, 2011 IL SB 3644 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 49)
Jan. 4, 2011 IL SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Jan. 4, 2011 IL SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
Dec. 2, 2010 National H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
Nov. 18, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
Nov. 17, 2010 National HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
Sept. 30, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
Sept. 29, 2010 PA SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
Sept. 23, 2010 MI SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 45)
Sept. 22, 2010 MI SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
Sept. 21, 2010 MI SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
Sept. 15, 2010 MI SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
Aug. 25, 2010 MI HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
Aug. 23, 2010 CA SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
July 20, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
July 19, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
July 19, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
July 17, 2010 WV HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
July 14, 2010 MO HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 40)
July 12, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 31)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 47)
July 8, 2010 NC HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 50)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
July 6, 2010 NC Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
July 3, 2010 PA SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
July 2, 2010 PA HB 2601 Environmentally Beneficial and Energy Efficient Technologies Bill Passed - House (125 - 71)
July 1, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
June 30, 2010 NC SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 50)
June 30, 2010 PA HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 84)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
June 29, 2010 MO HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (125 - 19)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 28, 2010 NY A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - House (111 - 34)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 23, 2010 PA HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6183 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6184 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6187 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 22, 2010 MI HB 6186 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
June 21, 2010 LA SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
June 21, 2010 NC HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 28)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 671 Evacuee Requirements for Running for Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 24)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
June 18, 2010 LA SB 584 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority Bill Passed - House (75 - 23)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 14, 2010 NY S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (93 - 51)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
June 9, 2010 NH Amdt 2390 Eliminating Tobacco Tax Increase Amendment Rejected - House (152 - 194)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 NH Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/23 HB 382 Nullification of Federal Laws Bill Failed - House (42 - 57)
2/23 HB 4216 Local Governments Fiscal Accountability Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
2/23 HB 4216 Local Governments Fiscal Accountability Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
2/23 HB 516 Limiting Local Ordinances Bill Passed - House (62 - 37)
2/22 HB 1003 Changes to Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - House (35 - 30)
2/22 HB 92 Limits Absentee Ballots Bill Passed - House (148 - 20)
2/21 HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
2/19 H Amdt 155 Prohibits Use of Funds for Step Increase for General Schedule Employees Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 230)
2/17 HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
2/17 HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
2/17 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
2/17 HB 1267 Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (72 - 21)
2/16 H 117 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/16 HB 1002 Capital Gains Reduction Act Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
2/16 HB 206 Constitutional Amendment on Freedom to Choose Health Insurance Coverage Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 31)
2/16 H 3507 Call For Constitutional Convention Resolution Passed - House (72 - 44)
2/16 HB 206 Constitutional Amendment on Freedom to Choose Health Insurance Coverage Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 31)
2/16 HCR 3016 Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Resolution Passed - House (69 - 25)
2/15 AB 110 Wrongful Death Claim of Josefa Godinez Merida Resolution Passed - House (7 - 1)
2/11 HCR 5007 Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
2/11 HCR 5007 Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
2/07 HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/04 HB 180 Revise Close of Voter Registration Bill Passed - House (67 - 33)
2/02 HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/02 HB 2 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
2/01 HJR 6 Banning Same Sex Marriage Amendment Adopted - House (62 - 37)
2/01 H 26 Increment in fees for felonies and misdemeanors Bill Failed - House (31 - 35)
1/28 HB 130 Expansion of Elections that Can Be Conducted By Mail Bill Failed - House (42 - 57)
1/26 H 3003 Voter ID Bill Passed - House (74 - 45)
1/25 AB 5 Requiring a Two-Thirds Vote in the Legislature for Tax Increases Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
1/25 AB 7 Small Business Tax Credit Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
1/20 SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
1/20 SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
1/20 SB 1 Tort Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 36)
1/20 HB 1115 Absentee Mayor Bill Passed - House (70 - 22)
1/13 HB 1 Funding for Legislative Session Bill Passed - House (67 - 32)
1/11 HR 39 Attorney General Challenge of the Federal Health Care Law Resolution Passed - House (115 - 46)
1/10 SB 3644 Labor Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 49)
1/04 SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
1/04 SB 3976 Rules to Govern the Redistricting Process Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
12/02 H Res 1737 Censure for Representative Charles Rangel Resolution Passed - House (333 - 79)
11/18 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
11/17 HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
11/15 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
9/30 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
9/29 SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
9/23 SB 1226 State Retirement Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 45)
9/22 SB 884 Tax Amnesty Period Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 48)
9/21 SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
9/15 SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
8/25 HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
8/23 SB 970 College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
7/20 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - House (116 - 34)
7/19 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
7/19 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Agreed - House (85 - 5)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Motion Rejected - House (51 - 34)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Passed - House (46 - 37)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
7/17 HB 201 Filling Senate Seat Vacancy Bill Failed - House (42 - 45)
7/14 HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 40)
7/12 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
7/10 HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Conference Report Adopted - House (72 - 31)
7/10 HB 748 Campaign Financing Restrictions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 47)
7/08 HB 1035 Performance and Payment Bond Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 50)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
7/06 Amdt 2 Lobbying Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (67 - 48)
7/03 SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
7/02 HB 2601 Environmentally Beneficial and Energy Efficient Technologies Bill Passed - House (125 - 71)
7/01 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
6/30 SB 897 2010-2011Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 50)
6/30 HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 84)
6/29 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
6/29 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
6/29 HB 2 Manufacturing Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (125 - 19)
6/28 S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/28 A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - House (111 - 34)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/23 HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
6/22 HB 6183 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/22 HB 6184 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (62 - 44)
6/22 HB 6187 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/22 HB 6186 Campaign Finance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (64 - 42)
6/21 SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
6/21 HB 1973 Keep North Carolina Competitive Act Bill Passed - House (80 - 28)
6/20 HB 671 Evacuee Requirements for Running for Office Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 24)
6/20 HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
6/18 SB 584 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority Bill Passed - House (75 - 23)
6/18 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
6/18 A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/14 S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (93 - 51)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
6/09 Amdt 2390 Eliminating Tobacco Tax Increase Amendment Rejected - House (152 - 194)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)

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