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
May 22, 2014 OK SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
May 22, 2014 IL SJRCA 75 Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
May 21, 2014 LA HB 1091 Prohibits the Transportation of Dogs in the Bed of a Pickup Truck on Interstates Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
May 15, 2014 MO SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 8)
May 12, 2014 NJ A 2006 Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 12, 2014 NJ A 2777 Amends Firearm Transportation Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
May 5, 2014 CA SB 1038 Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 1, 2014 IA SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
May 1, 2014 FL HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
April 30, 2014 MO HB 1439 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
April 30, 2014 NY A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
April 24, 2014 FL HB 7029 Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
April 23, 2014 CO HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 23, 2014 FL HB 59 Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
April 17, 2014 TN HB 1574 Limits Amount of Pseudoephedrine an Individual Can Purchase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7)
April 17, 2014 AZ HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
April 16, 2014 AZ SB 1158 Amends Fireworks Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2339 Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
April 16, 2014 AZ HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 7, 2014 NE LR 41CA Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races Resolution Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
April 7, 2014 NE LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
April 7, 2014 NE LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
April 7, 2014 LA S Amdt 2081 Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29)
April 7, 2014 LA S Amdt 2081 Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 7, 2014 TN SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 5, 2014 MD SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
April 3, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 3, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21)
April 3, 2014 AL HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
April 3, 2014 FL HB 89 Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 3, 2014 FL HB 89 Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
April 3, 2014 NE LR 41CA Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races Resolution Failed - Senate (28 - 19)
April 2, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21)
April 2, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21)
April 1, 2014 WI AB 556 Expands Jailhouse Strip Search Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
March 28, 2014 KY HB 222 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 28, 2014 KY HB 222 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 27, 2014 OK HB 2580 Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
March 27, 2014 NH SB 366 Authorizes Casino Gaming Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
March 25, 2014 KS HB 2272 Amends Gaming Law Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
March 25, 2014 KS HB 2125 Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 24, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
March 24, 2014 NE LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
March 24, 2014 TN SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 20, 2014 IL AM 121 Nomination of Salvador A. Godinez to be Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections Nomination Confirmed - Senate (37 - 18)
March 19, 2014 AL SB 354 Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
March 18, 2014 GA HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
March 17, 2014 NY A 2597A Establishes the New York DREAM Fund Commission Bill Failed - Senate (30 - 29)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/22 SB 1848 Amends Standards for Abortion Facilities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 9)
5/22 SJRCA 75 Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
5/21 HB 1091 Prohibits the Transportation of Dogs in the Bed of a Pickup Truck on Interstates Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
5/15 SB 656 Authorizes School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 8)
5/12 A 2006 Reduces the Maximum Capacity of Ammunition Magazines Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/12 A 2777 Amends Firearm Transportation Laws Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
5/05 SB 1038 Amends Juvenile Court Records Laws Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/01 SF 2360 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 8)
5/01 HB 851 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
4/30 HB 1439 Prohibits Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
4/30 A 9206 Authorizes Traffic Cameras on Long Island Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 11)
4/24 HB 7029 Prohibits Administrators From Punishing Simulation Of Weapon Play Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
4/23 HB 1288 Amends Student Immunization Laws Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/23 HB 59 Establishes Penalties for Killing or Injuring a Fetus Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
4/17 HB 1574 Limits Amount of Pseudoephedrine an Individual Can Purchase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7)
4/17 HB 2462 Authorizes the State to Create a Virtual Border Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8)
4/16 SB 1158 Amends Fireworks Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
4/16 HB 2508 Requires Licensure for Federal Health Care Navigators Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
4/16 HB 2339 Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12)
4/16 HB 2517 Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/07 LR 41CA Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races Resolution Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
4/07 LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
4/07 LB 485 Prohibits Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (26 - 22)
4/07 S Amdt 2081 Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29)
4/07 S Amdt 2081 Authorizes "Chicken Boxing" under Certain Conditions Amendment Rejected - Senate (8 - 29)
4/07 SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/07 SB 1391 Prohibits Women from Using Illegal Substances While Pregnant Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/05 SB 172 Authorizes Eminent Domain Against Certain Film Production Entitites Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 6)
4/03 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/03 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 21)
4/03 HB 494 Amends Requirements for Minors Who Seek an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
4/03 HB 89 Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/03 HB 89 Prohibits Mandatory Sentencing for Certain Convictions of Aggravated Assault Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
4/03 LR 41CA Authorizes Gambling on Past Horse Races Resolution Failed - Senate (28 - 19)
4/02 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21)
4/02 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Veto Override Failed - Senate (24 - 21)
4/01 AB 556 Expands Jailhouse Strip Search Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
3/28 HB 222 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/28 HB 222 Prohibits Recording of Agricultural Operations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/27 HB 2580 Extends Film Industry Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 11)
3/27 SB 366 Authorizes Casino Gaming Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
3/25 HB 2272 Amends Gaming Law Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
3/25 HB 2125 Prohibits Slot Machines at Certain Racetracks Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/24 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
3/24 LB 671 Prohibits the Hunting of Mountain Lions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 13)
3/24 SB 2115 Authorizes In-State Tuition for Certain Students Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/20 AM 121 Nomination of Salvador A. Godinez to be Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections Nomination Confirmed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/19 SB 354 Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
3/18 HB 60 Amends Firearm Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 18)
3/17 A 2597A Establishes the New York DREAM Fund Commission Bill Failed - Senate (30 - 29)

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