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
March 6, 2014 NH SB 413 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
March 5, 2014 SD HB 1229 Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
March 5, 2014 OR SB 1582 Authorizes Oregon Health Authority to Continue to Cover Pre-Existing Conditions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
March 5, 2014 OK SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 5, 2014 OK SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
March 4, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
March 4, 2014 SD HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
March 3, 2014 WY HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10)
March 3, 2014 TN SB 837 Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
March 3, 2014 GA SB 98 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in a Qualified Health Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2014 KS SB 311 Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2014 AL SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
Feb. 26, 2014 OH SCR 25 Encourages State Agencies to Stop Using the LEED Green Building Rating System Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2014 AR SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 19, 2014 KY SB 119 Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
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. 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. 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)
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. 23, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Dec. 18, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
Dec. 12, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
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)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
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 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
Sept. 27, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
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. 10, 2013 CA SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
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)
July 25, 2013 NC HB 938 Amends Wetland Permit Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
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 OR HB 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
June 27, 2013 DE HB 88 Prohibits Certain Individuals with Mental Health Issues from Possessing Firearms Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/06 SB 413 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 5)
3/05 HB 1229 Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
3/05 SB 1582 Authorizes Oregon Health Authority to Continue to Cover Pre-Existing Conditions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
3/05 SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/05 SB 1219 Prohibits Minors from Purchasing Certain Emergency Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
3/04 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14)
3/04 HB 1123 Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 20)
3/03 HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 10)
3/03 SB 837 Authorizes the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 4)
3/03 SB 98 Prohibits Abortion Coverage in a Qualified Health Plan Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 18)
2/27 SB 311 Increases the Limit for Non-Economic Civil Damages Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
2/26 SB 63 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
2/26 SCR 25 Encourages State Agencies to Stop Using the LEED Green Building Rating System Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/20 SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/19 SB 119 Establishes Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
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)
2/11 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)
2/06 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)
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)
1/23 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
12/18 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (64 - 36)
12/12 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/11 Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
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)
11/13 SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (81 - 18)
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 Motion Agreed - Senate (54 - 46)
9/27 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 44)
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)
9/10 SB 649 Classifies Certain Drug Infractions as Misdemeanors Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
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)
7/25 HB 938 Amends Wetland Permit Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 15)
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 3194 Amends Sentencing Regulations in the Prison System Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
6/27 HB 88 Prohibits Certain Individuals with Mental Health Issues from Possessing Firearms Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 13)

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