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 9, 2011 AL HB 60 Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 9)
June 6, 2011 CT HB 6308 Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 6, 2011 NV AB 571 Amending Smoking Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
June 4, 2011 CT SB 1014 Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 18)
June 2, 2011 LA HB 591 Permanent Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 2, 2011 CA SB 568 Recycling Polystyrene Food Containers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 1, 2011 LA SB 133 Amends the Smoke-free Air Act Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 22)
May 31, 2011 IL SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 24)
May 26, 2011 IL HB 1600 Limits Artificial Trans Fats Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 40)
May 25, 2011 WA SB 5942 State Liquor Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
May 23, 2011 NJ S 2899 Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 23, 2011 NJ S 2899 Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 18, 2011 MN SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28)
May 18, 2011 NC HB 578 State Health Plan Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
May 18, 2011 MI SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
May 16, 2011 ME LD 1333 Health Care Coverage Policy Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
May 12, 2011 KS HB 2075 Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Abortion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
May 12, 2011 NE LB 22 Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
May 6, 2011 FL HB 7107 Medicaid Managed Care Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
May 5, 2011 VT H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10)
May 5, 2011 CO SB 200 Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 5, 2011 CO SB 200 Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
May 5, 2011 FL HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
May 3, 2011 VT H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 9)
April 28, 2011 FL HB 97 Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
April 28, 2011 MO HB 73 Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
April 25, 2011 OR SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 25, 2011 OR SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 20, 2011 IA SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 14, 2011 NC SB 265 Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 14, 2011 GA HB 461 Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
April 14, 2011 GA HB 461 Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
April 12, 2011 GA HB 47 Ability to Purchase Insurance Out of State Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
April 7, 2011 ND HB 1450 Definition of Human Being Bill Not Tabled - Senate (26 - 21)
April 7, 2011 OR SB 695 Standards for Infant Formula Containers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
April 6, 2011 VA HB 2434 Health Benefits Exchange Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 20)
April 5, 2011 MT SB 125 Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 5, 2011 MT SB 125 Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 5, 2011 ID H 298 Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 5, 2011 ID H 298 Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
April 5, 2011 National HR 4 Repeals the Form 1099 Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
April 5, 2011 DE HB 19 Reduce Punishment for Drug Possession Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
April 5, 2011 RI S 87 Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
April 5, 2011 RI S 87 Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
April 5, 2011 RI S 87 Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
April 1, 2011 AZ SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 30, 2011 MD SB 994 Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
March 29, 2011 ID H 187 Freedom of Conscience for Health Care Professionals Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 29, 2011 WA SB 5251 Electric Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 28, 2011 ID H 260 Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
March 28, 2011 NC SB 265 Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 23, 2011 IA HF 617 Alcoholic Beverage Permits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 17, 2011 AZ SB 1405 Hospital Admissions and Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18)
March 16, 2011 GA SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
March 9, 2011 FL SJR 2 Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 10)
March 5, 2011 WA SB 5769 Coal-Fired Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 5, 2011 WA SB 5039 Tobacco Cessation Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 5, 2011 WA SB 5039 Tobacco Cessation Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 2, 2011 NC SB 33 Medical Malpractice Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
March 1, 2011 AZ SB 1394 Regulation of Greenhouse Substances and Freedom to Breathe Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 1, 2011 ID S 1115 Insurance Coverage of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
March 1, 2011 SC S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
March 1, 2011 ID S 1115 Insurance Coverage of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
Feb. 28, 2011 UT SB 270 Modifications to Sales and Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Feb. 24, 2011 MN HF 1 Environmental Review Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2011 GA SB 17 Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2011 GA SB 17 Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2011 GA SB 36 Prescription Drug Database Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6)
Feb. 23, 2011 TN SB 79 Tennessee Health Care Freedom Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2011 WY HB 39 Funding for Lawsuit Against Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 19)
Feb. 21, 2011 MT SB 228 Prohibits Creation of Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA SB 1062 Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorder Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 17, 2011 VA SB 1062 Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorder Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Feb. 17, 2011 TX SB 16 Abortion Procedures Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Feb. 17, 2011 NJ S 958 Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/09 HB 60 Prohibiting Mandatory Participation in any Health Care System Amendment Adopted - Senate (24 - 9)
6/06 HB 6308 Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/06 AB 571 Amending Smoking Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
6/04 SB 1014 Penalties For Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 18)
6/02 HB 591 Permanent Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/02 SB 568 Recycling Polystyrene Food Containers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/01 SB 133 Amends the Smoke-free Air Act Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 22)
5/31 SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 24)
5/26 HB 1600 Limits Artificial Trans Fats Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 40)
5/25 SB 5942 State Liquor Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
5/23 S 2899 Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/23 S 2899 Medicaid Coverage for Family Planning Services Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/18 SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 28)
5/18 HB 578 State Health Plan Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
5/18 SB 7 Employee Contribution to Health Care Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
5/16 LD 1333 Health Care Coverage Policy Changes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
5/12 HB 2075 Prohibiting Insurance Coverage of Abortion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10)
5/12 LB 22 Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 7)
5/06 HB 7107 Medicaid Managed Care Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
5/05 H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10)
5/05 SB 200 Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/05 SB 200 Establishing a Health Benefit Exchange Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
5/05 HB 353 Drug Screening for Temporary Assistance Beneficiaries Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
5/03 H 202 Single-Payer and Unified Health System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 9)
4/28 HB 97 Prohibits Insurance Coverage of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
4/28 HB 73 Drug Testing Of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
4/25 SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/25 SB 99 Establishes the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/20 SF 525 Revises the Iowa Mental Health System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/14 SB 265 Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/14 HB 461 Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
4/14 HB 461 Interstate Health Care Compact Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
4/12 HB 47 Ability to Purchase Insurance Out of State Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
4/07 HB 1450 Definition of Human Being Bill Not Tabled - Senate (26 - 21)
4/07 SB 695 Standards for Infant Formula Containers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
4/06 HB 2434 Health Benefits Exchange Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 20)
4/05 SB 125 Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/05 SB 125 Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/05 H 298 Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/05 H 298 Response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
4/05 HR 4 Repeals the Form 1099 Provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - Senate (87 - 12)
4/05 HB 19 Reduce Punishment for Drug Possession Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
4/05 S 87 Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
4/05 S 87 Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
4/05 S 87 Establishing the Rhode Island Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
4/01 SB 1619 Provisions to Health and Health Care for 2011-2012 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/30 SB 994 Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
3/29 H 187 Freedom of Conscience for Health Care Professionals Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/29 SB 5251 Electric Vehicle Registration Fees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/28 H 260 Medicaid Funding Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
3/28 SB 265 Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/23 HF 617 Alcoholic Beverage Permits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/17 SB 1405 Hospital Admissions and Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 18)
3/16 SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
3/09 SJR 2 Authorizes Exemptions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 10)
3/05 SB 5769 Coal-Fired Power Plants Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/05 SB 5039 Tobacco Cessation Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/05 SB 5039 Tobacco Cessation Treatment Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/02 SB 33 Medical Malpractice Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13)
3/01 SB 1394 Regulation of Greenhouse Substances and Freedom to Breathe Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/01 S 1115 Insurance Coverage of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
3/01 S 434 Prohibiting DHHS From Reducing Provider Rates Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
3/01 S 1115 Insurance Coverage of Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
2/28 SB 270 Modifications to Sales and Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
2/24 HF 1 Environmental Review Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 16)
2/24 SB 17 Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/24 SB 17 Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/23 SB 36 Prescription Drug Database Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6)
2/23 SB 79 Tennessee Health Care Freedom Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
2/22 HB 39 Funding for Lawsuit Against Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 19)
2/21 SB 228 Prohibits Creation of Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
2/17 SB 1062 Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorder Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/17 SB 1062 Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorder Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
2/17 SB 16 Abortion Procedures Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
2/17 S 958 Authorizes the Limited Sale of Syringes and Needles Without a Prescription Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)

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