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. 18, 2014 GA HB 875 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations Bill Passed - House (119 - 56)
Feb. 18, 2014 NM SB 347 Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2014 WV SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 18, 2014 WV SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
Feb. 17, 2014 GA SB 318 Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20)
Feb. 16, 2014 NM SB 263 Increases the Liquor Excise Tax Rate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
Feb. 13, 2014 MO HB 1430 Authorizes Health Care Providers to Opt Out of Certain Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
Feb. 11, 2014 MS SB 2563 Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
Feb. 11, 2014 AL SB 168 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Feb. 10, 2014 SD HB 1158 Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 6, 2014 SD HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 6, 2014 MD SB 263 Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
Feb. 6, 2014 MD SB 263 Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
Feb. 5, 2014 MD SB 75 Prohibits the Sale of Alcoholic Products with Alcohol Content Above 95 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
Feb. 5, 2014 WA HB 2148 Requires Certain Health Plans to Cover Abortions Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Jan. 30, 2014 IN SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2014 TN SB 837 Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
Jan. 28, 2014 ME LD 1254 Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13)
Jan. 28, 2014 MD SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
Jan. 28, 2014 MD SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
Jan. 28, 2014 National HR 7 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 188)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HB 1143 Prohibits State Environmental Regulations from Exceeding EPA Regulations Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Jan. 23, 2014 SC SB 308 Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18)
Jan. 23, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 21, 2014 AL HB 31 Authorizes Health Care Providers to Abstain from Certain Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
Jan. 16, 2014 National HR 3362 Exchange Information Disclosure Act Bill Passed - House (259 - 154)
Jan. 15, 2014 NH HB 492 Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (170 - 162)
Jan. 14, 2014 ME LD 1254 Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 46)
Jan. 13, 2014 National HR 3811 Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (291 - 122)
Jan. 9, 2014 National HR 2279 Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (225 - 188)
Jan. 8, 2014 NH HB 544 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (182 - 154)
Dec. 18, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
Dec. 12, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (332 - 94)
Dec. 12, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 12, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - House (87 - 22)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Dec. 11, 2013 National HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
Nov. 15, 2013 National HR 3350 Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (261 - 157)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
Oct. 7, 2013 National H J Res 77 Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 201)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Sept. 29, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (248 - 174)
Sept. 27, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
Sept. 20, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (230 - 189)
Sept. 18, 2013 National H Amdt 466 Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235)
Sept. 18, 2013 MI SB 276 Requires Community Service for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
Sept. 12, 2013 National HR 2775 No Subsidies Without Verification Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
Sept. 10, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 4, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
Sept. 3, 2013 MI HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 32)
Sept. 3, 2013 MI HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 32)
Aug. 27, 2013 MI HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Aug. 27, 2013 MI HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Aug. 26, 2013 CA AB 721 Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Aug. 2, 2013 National H Amdt 450 Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 185)
July 25, 2013 NC HB 938 Amends Wetland Permit Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
July 24, 2013 NC HB 392 Authorizes Drug Testing for Work First Program Applicants Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 21)
July 17, 2013 National HR 2668 Fairness for American Families Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 174)
July 17, 2013 National HR 2667 Authority for Mandate Delay Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 161)
July 3, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
July 2, 2013 NC SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
July 1, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94)
July 1, 2013 OR HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
June 28, 2013 National HR 2231 Offshore Energy and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
June 27, 2013 NC SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Bill Passed - House (69 - 42)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/18 HB 875 Authorizes Individuals to Carry Weapons in Previously Prohibited Locations Bill Passed - House (119 - 56)
2/18 SB 347 Appropriates Funds to the Lottery Tuition Fund Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
2/18 SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/18 SB 6 Prohibits Sale of Medicines Containing Pseudoephedrine without Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 9)
2/17 SB 318 Authorizes Bars to Sell Alcohol on Certain Holiday Weekends Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 20)
2/16 SB 263 Increases the Liquor Excise Tax Rate Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 14)
2/13 HB 1430 Authorizes Health Care Providers to Opt Out of Certain Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (112 - 38)
2/11 SB 2563 Requires Universities to Develop a Plan of Action for Unplanned Pregnancies Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 11)
2/11 SB 168 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
2/10 HB 1158 Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/06 HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/06 SB 263 Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
2/06 SB 263 Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
2/05 SB 75 Prohibits the Sale of Alcoholic Products with Alcohol Content Above 95 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 10)
2/05 HB 2148 Requires Certain Health Plans to Cover Abortions Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
1/30 SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
1/30 SB 837 Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
1/28 LD 1254 Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13)
1/28 SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
1/28 SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
1/28 HR 7 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 188)
1/28 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
1/28 HB 1143 Prohibits State Environmental Regulations from Exceeding EPA Regulations Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
1/23 SB 308 Authorizes Carrying Concealed Weapons into Businesses that Serve Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 18)
1/23 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/21 HB 31 Authorizes Health Care Providers to Abstain from Certain Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
1/16 HR 3362 Exchange Information Disclosure Act Bill Passed - House (259 - 154)
1/15 HB 492 Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana Bill Passed - House (170 - 162)
1/14 LD 1254 Requires State Institutions to Purchase Foods Produced in Maine Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 46)
1/13 HR 3811 Health Exchange Security and Transparency Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (291 - 122)
1/09 HR 2279 Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (225 - 188)
1/08 HB 544 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (182 - 154)
12/18 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
12/12 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (332 - 94)
12/12 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/12 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - House (87 - 22)
12/11 Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
12/11 HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
12/11 Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
11/15 HR 3350 Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (261 - 157)
11/13 SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
11/13 SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
11/13 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
10/07 H J Res 77 Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 201)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/29 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (248 - 174)
9/27 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
9/20 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (230 - 189)
9/18 H Amdt 466 Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235)
9/18 SB 276 Requires Community Service for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
9/12 SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
9/12 SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
9/12 HR 2775 No Subsidies Without Verification Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
9/10 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/04 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
9/03 HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 32)
9/03 HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 32)
8/27 HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
8/27 HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
8/26 AB 721 Amends Transportation of Controlled Substances Laws Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
8/02 H Amdt 450 Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 185)
7/25 HB 938 Amends Wetland Permit Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
7/24 HB 392 Authorizes Drug Testing for Work First Program Applicants Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 21)
7/17 HR 2668 Fairness for American Families Act Bill Passed - House (251 - 174)
7/17 HR 2667 Authority for Mandate Delay Act Bill Passed - House (264 - 161)
7/03 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
7/02 SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
7/01 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94)
7/01 HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
6/28 HR 2231 Offshore Energy and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
6/27 SB 132 Requires Certain Reproductive Health and Safety Education for Schools Bill Passed - House (69 - 42)

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