Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
March 22, 2010 IA SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
March 22, 2010 WA HB 2782 Limiting Disability Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
March 22, 2010 ID S 1418 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 18, 2010 KY HB 97 Moving Back Primary Dates and Filing Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
March 17, 2010 GA SR 794 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - Senate (34 - 19)
March 17, 2010 GA SB 406 Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
March 17, 2010 IA SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 16, 2010 FL SCR 10 Statement of Support for a Federal Constitutional Amendment Requiring a Balanced Budget Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
March 16, 2010 IA SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
March 16, 2010 CO SB 87 Increasing Lobbyist Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
March 14, 2010 VA HB 30 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
March 13, 2010 WV HB 4521 Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
March 11, 2010 MN HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 17)
March 11, 2010 CA SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
March 10, 2010 WA SB 6364 2009 - 2011 Biennium Capital Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
March 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 5, 2010 MD SB 248 Increasing Civil Court Case Surcharges Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 4, 2010 SD Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 3, 2010 FL SB 1158 Prohibiting Gun Licensing Trust Fund to Budget Stabilization Fund Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
March 2, 2010 NM SB 10 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
March 1, 2010 UT SB 43 Retirement System Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
March 1, 2010 UT SB 63 Retirement System Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
March 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1009 Repealing Public Funding of Statewide Political Campaigns Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
March 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1007 Repealing Legislative Term Limits Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
March 1, 2010 AZ SCR 1007 Repealing Legislative Term Limits Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
Feb. 27, 2010 WA SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2010 WY HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
Feb. 25, 2010 MN SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Veto Override Passed - Senate (45 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2010 WA SB 6130 Initiative 960 (Tax Increase Restrictions) Suspension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2010 VA HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2010 WY SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 18, 2010 MS SB 2688 Restoring 2009-2010 Budget Cuts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 18, 2010 CA ABx8 8 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2010 CA ABx8 2 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Feb. 18, 2010 GA SR 1120 Temporary Legislative Adjournment Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
Feb. 17, 2010 TN SB 3498 Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM Holguin Nomination Neri Holguin, Environmental Improvement Board (17 - 25)
Feb. 16, 2010 VA SB 660 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Feb. 15, 2010 WA SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
Feb. 15, 2010 CO SB 100 Multi-County Local Improvement Districts Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 13, 2010 NM SB 10 Limiting Food Tax Deduction to Staple Foods Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
Feb. 12, 2010 NM SB 112 Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
Feb. 11, 2010 CA Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 11, 2010 SD Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 11, 2010 KS SCR 1615 Statement of Opposition to Federal Mandates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Feb. 11, 2010 MN SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 20)
Feb. 11, 2010 NM SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
Feb. 10, 2010 SC H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1199 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Reduction for Net Operating Loss Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1194 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1193 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1192 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1191 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2010 CO HB 1196 Repealing Income Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2010 VA SB 601 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 10, 2010 VA SB 102 Starting Biennial Budgets in Odd-Numbered Years Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2010 WA SB 6382 Extending State Employee Salary Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2010 NY R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
Feb. 9, 2010 WA SB 6843 Suspension of Tax Increase Vote Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 9, 2010 MN SF 2360 Construction Projects Authorizations and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14)
Feb. 9, 2010 NY R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Feb. 8, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Feb. 8, 2010 VA SB 239 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 8, 2010 VA SB 239 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
Feb. 4, 2010 IA SF 2062 State Worker Retirement Incentive Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
Feb. 3, 2010 UT SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Feb. 2, 2010 KY SB 53 Allowing Independents to Vote in Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2010 UT SB 36 Requesting Removal of Wolves From Endangered Species List Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Feb. 1, 2010 CO SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 1, 2010 VA SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 1, 2010 IA SF 2088 Government Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Jan. 28, 2010 DE HB 310 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
Jan. 28, 2010 WI SB 263 Expanding Access to Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 26, 2010 OH HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 26, 2010 OH Schiavoni Amdt Casino Location Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 13)
Jan. 26, 2010 National S Amdt 3302 Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
Jan. 25, 2010 VA SB 83 Authorizing No-Excuse, In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Jan. 19, 2010 IA HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
Jan. 13, 2010 KY SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Jan. 13, 2010 IA SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
Jan. 13, 2010 KY SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2010 TN HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Jan. 12, 2010 IL HB 1188 Increasing Cemetery Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
Jan. 12, 2010 IN SB 23 Unemployment Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Jan. 12, 2010 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
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. 5, 2010 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
Dec. 24, 2009 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/22 SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 19)
3/22 HB 2782 Limiting Disability Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 16)
3/22 S 1418 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/18 HB 97 Moving Back Primary Dates and Filing Deadlines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
3/17 SR 794 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - Senate (34 - 19)
3/17 SB 406 Online Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
3/17 SF 2380 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/16 SCR 10 Statement of Support for a Federal Constitutional Amendment Requiring a Balanced Budget Resolution Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/16 SF 2376 2010-2011 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
3/16 SF 2378 Increase in Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 17)
3/16 SB 87 Increasing Lobbyist Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
3/14 HB 30 2010-2012 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 6)
3/13 HB 4521 Sales Tax Holiday for Purchases of Guns Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
3/11 HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (49 - 17)
3/11 SBx8 32 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
3/10 SB 6364 2009 - 2011 Biennium Capital Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
3/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/05 SB 248 Increasing Civil Court Case Surcharges Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
3/04 ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
3/04 ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/04 Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/03 SB 1158 Prohibiting Gun Licensing Trust Fund to Budget Stabilization Fund Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
3/02 SB 10 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
3/01 SB 43 Retirement System Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
3/01 SB 63 Retirement System Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
3/01 SCR 1009 Repealing Public Funding of Statewide Political Campaigns Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
3/01 SCR 1007 Repealing Legislative Term Limits Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
3/01 SCR 1007 Repealing Legislative Term Limits Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
2/27 SB 6444 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
2/26 HB 101 Wind-Generated Electricity Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 1)
2/25 SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Veto Override Passed - Senate (45 - 21)
2/22 SB 6130 Initiative 960 (Tax Increase Restrictions) Suspension Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
2/22 HB 756 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 SF 64 Increasing Seat Belt Violation Fine Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
2/18 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/18 SB 2688 Restoring 2009-2010 Budget Cuts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/18 ABx8 8 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/18 ABx8 2 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/18 SR 1120 Temporary Legislative Adjournment Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 17)
2/17 SB 3498 Requiring Legal Challenge to Federal Health Insurance Mandates Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 1)
2/16 Holguin Nomination Neri Holguin, Environmental Improvement Board (17 - 25)
2/16 SB 660 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
2/15 SB 6562 Expanding State University Tuition Authority Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
2/15 SB 100 Multi-County Local Improvement Districts Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/13 SB 10 Limiting Food Tax Deduction to Staple Foods Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
2/12 SB 112 Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
2/11 Maldonado Nomination Abel Maldonado, Lieutenant Governor Nomination Confirmed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/11 Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
2/11 SCR 1615 Statement of Opposition to Federal Mandates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
2/11 SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 20)
2/11 SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
2/10 H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
2/10 HB 1195 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/10 HB 1190 Suspending Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 16)
2/10 HB 1189 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
2/10 HB 1199 Temporary Limit on Income Tax Reduction for Net Operating Loss Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/10 HB 1194 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/10 HB 1193 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
2/10 HB 1192 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/10 HB 1191 Repealing Sales Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/10 HB 1196 Repealing Income Tax Credit Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/10 SB 601 Allocating Offshore Drilling Royalties Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/10 SB 102 Starting Biennial Budgets in Odd-Numbered Years Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/09 SB 6382 Extending State Employee Salary Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
2/09 R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
2/09 SB 6843 Suspension of Tax Increase Vote Requirement Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/09 SF 2360 Construction Projects Authorizations and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14)
2/09 R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
2/08 SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
2/08 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
2/08 SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
2/08 SB 239 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/08 SB 239 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/04 SF 2062 State Worker Retirement Incentive Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 6)
2/03 SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
2/02 SB 53 Allowing Independents to Vote in Primaries Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
2/02 SB 36 Requesting Removal of Wolves From Endangered Species List Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
2/01 SB 1 Public Employee Retirement Association Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/01 SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/01 SF 2088 Government Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
1/28 HB 310 Legalizing Table Games Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
1/28 SB 263 Expanding Access to Public Defenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/26 HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/26 Schiavoni Amdt Casino Location Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 13)
1/26 S Amdt 3302 Establishing a Federal Budget Deficit Commission Amendment Rejected - Senate (53 - 46)
1/25 SB 83 Authorizing No-Excuse, In-Person Absentee Voting Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
1/19 HF 2030 School District Budget Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
1/13 SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
1/13 SF 2033 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
1/13 SB 51 Legislator Pension Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
1/12 HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
1/12 HB 1188 Increasing Cemetery Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
1/12 SB 23 Unemployment Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
1/12 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (35 - 15)
1/11 A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
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)
1/05 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
12/24 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (60 - 39)

arrow_upward