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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 5039 | Tobacco Cessation Treatment | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 5, 2011 | WA | SB 5039 | Tobacco Cessation Treatment | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| March 5, 2011 | WA | SB 5769 | Coal-Fired Power Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| 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 | TN | SB 79 | Tennessee Health Care Freedom Act | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| Feb. 23, 2011 | GA | SB 36 | Prescription Drug Database | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6) |
| 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) |
| Feb. 11, 2011 | KY | SB 110 | Relating to Optometry | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| Feb. 10, 2011 | AZ | SB 1086 | Tobacco Prohibitions | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | National | S Amdt 13 | Repealing the Federal Health Care Law | Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | National | S Amdt 28 | Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | National | S Amdt 9 | Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | National | S Amdt 13 | Repealing the Federal Health Care Law | Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | WI | SB 10 | Wetland Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| Feb. 2, 2011 | MN | SF 4 | Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 14) |
| Feb. 1, 2011 | WY | SJ 2 | Health Care Decisions for Citizens | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | AR | SB 113 | Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | AR | SB 113 | Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | MT | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | MT | SB 106 | Lawsuit against Federal Health Care Law | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| Jan. 27, 2011 | MT | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| Jan. 24, 2011 | MN | SF 86 | Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition | |
| Jan. 20, 2011 | WI | SB 2 | Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| Dec. 13, 2010 | NJ | ACR 151 | Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program | Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| Dec. 13, 2010 | NJ | ACR 151 | Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program | Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| Dec. 9, 2010 | National | HR 847 | 9/11 Health and Compensation Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 42) |
| Nov. 30, 2010 | National | S 510 | FDA Food Safety Modernization Act | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25) |
| Sept. 29, 2010 | National | S J Res 39 | Disapproving Rule for "Grandfathered Health Plans" | Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 59) |
| Sept. 29, 2010 | National | S J Res 39 | Disapproving Rule for "Grandfathered Health Plans" | Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 59) |
| Sept. 21, 2010 | MI | SB 1152 | 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Sept. 20, 2010 | NJ | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| Sept. 14, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4596 | Repealing Business Transaction Reporting Requirements | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 5039 | Tobacco Cessation Treatment | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| 3/05 | SB 5039 | Tobacco Cessation Treatment | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21) |
| 3/05 | SB 5769 | Coal-Fired Power Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 13) |
| 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 79 | Tennessee Health Care Freedom Act | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 2/23 | SB 36 | Prescription Drug Database | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 6) |
| 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) |
| 2/11 | SB 110 | Relating to Optometry | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3) |
| 2/10 | SB 1086 | Tobacco Prohibitions | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 16) |
| 2/02 | S Amdt 13 | Repealing the Federal Health Care Law | Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| 2/02 | S Amdt 28 | Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Health Care Law | Amendment Rejected - Senate (44 - 54) |
| 2/02 | S Amdt 9 | Repealing the IRS 1099 Provision from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Motion Agreed - Senate (81 - 17) |
| 2/02 | S Amdt 13 | Repealing the Federal Health Care Law | Motion Rejected - Senate (47 - 51) |
| 2/02 | SB 10 | Wetland Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| 2/02 | SF 4 | Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 14) |
| 2/01 | SJ 2 | Health Care Decisions for Citizens | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| 1/27 | SB 113 | Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 1/27 | SB 113 | Prohibit Abortion Health Care Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| 1/27 | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| 1/27 | SB 106 | Lawsuit against Federal Health Care Law | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
| 1/27 | SB 125 | Prohibits State from Requiring Individuals to Purchase Health Insurance | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21) |
| 1/24 | SF 86 | Repeals Carbon Dioxide Emissions Prohibition | |
| 1/20 | SB 2 | Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 12/13 | ACR 151 | Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program | Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| 12/13 | ACR 151 | Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program | Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| 12/09 | HR 847 | 9/11 Health and Compensation Act | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 42) |
| 11/30 | S 510 | FDA Food Safety Modernization Act | Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25) |
| 9/29 | S J Res 39 | Disapproving Rule for "Grandfathered Health Plans" | Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 59) |
| 9/29 | S J Res 39 | Disapproving Rule for "Grandfathered Health Plans" | Motion Rejected - Senate (40 - 59) |
| 9/21 | SB 1152 | 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 9/20 | S 2139 | 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 9/14 | S Amdt 4596 | Repealing Business Transaction Reporting Requirements | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (46 - 52) |