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
Aug. 10, 2009 NC HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
July 31, 2009 National HR 3435 Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program Bill Passed - House (316 - 109)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
June 22, 2009 NY A 1039 Albany Parking Permits Bill Passed - House (99 - 42)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
June 15, 2009 LA HB 835 Railroad Safety Program Bill Failed - House (50 - 45)
June 9, 2009 National HR 2751 Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act Bill Passed - House (298 - 119)
June 2, 2009 LA HB 639 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
June 1, 2009 ME LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 56)
May 31, 2009 TX HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
May 27, 2009 LA Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
May 27, 2009 LA HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
May 27, 2009 OR HB 2001 Transit and Gas Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
May 18, 2009 MN HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 60)
May 8, 2009 OR HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
May 8, 2009 FL SB 1778 Increases Certain Transportation-Related Fees Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43)
May 7, 2009 ID H 376 Transportation Funding Package Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
April 28, 2009 OR HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
April 28, 2009 CO SB 228 Repealing the General Fund Spending Cap Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
April 27, 2009 TN SB 393 Prohibiting Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
April 22, 2009 PA A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
April 22, 2009 WA SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
April 15, 2009 VT H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
April 10, 2009 MD SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
April 10, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
April 9, 2009 ID H 135 Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
April 7, 2009 MA S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
April 1, 2009 IL HB Text Messaging while Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
April 1, 2009 IL HB 72 Cell Phone Ban in School Speed Zones and Construction Zones Bill Passed - House (90 - 24)
April 1, 2009 VT H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
April 1, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
April 1, 2009 IL HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
March 30, 2009 GA SB 67 English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations Bill Passed - House (104 - 58)
March 27, 2009 WV HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
March 26, 2009 MN HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
March 24, 2009 WI SB 37 Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
March 24, 2009 NH HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
March 19, 2009 ID H 246 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (27 - 43)
March 18, 2009 IL HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
March 9, 2009 GA HB 160 Speeding Fee Bill Passed - House (113 - 53)
March 9, 2009 KY HB 102 State and Local Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
March 6, 2009 KY HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
March 5, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
March 5, 2009 UT HB 179 Authorizing Land Swap for Development of UTA Rail Station Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
March 4, 2009 NH HB 644 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (190 - 162)
Feb. 26, 2009 CO SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 1167 Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates Bill Failed - House (41 - 57)
Feb. 25, 2009 AR SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
Feb. 24, 2009 MT HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
Feb. 24, 2009 IN HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
Feb. 18, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
Feb. 16, 2009 ND HB 1431 Increasing Fines for Certain Traffic Violations Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Feb. 5, 2009 VA HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
Jan. 29, 2009 WY HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
Jan. 29, 2009 ND HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
Jan. 29, 2009 AR HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
Jan. 28, 2009 AR HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
Jan. 26, 2009 CO HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
Dec. 10, 2008 National HR 7321 Automotive Industry Financing Bill Passed - House (237 - 170)
Dec. 4, 2008 MI HB 5117 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
Sept. 26, 2008 National HR 7060 Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and Individual Credits Bill Passed - House (257 - 166)
Sept. 16, 2008 National HR 6899 Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling and Extending Certain Renewable Energy Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (236 - 189)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA SB 60 Expanding Driver's License Eligibility Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
Aug. 25, 2008 CA SB 375 Global Warming and Land Use Policy Bill Passed - House (49 - 22)
Aug. 13, 2008 CA AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 15)
Aug. 13, 2008 CA SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (52 - 24)
July 24, 2008 National HR 3999 National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act Bill Passed - House (367 - 55)
July 23, 2008 National HR 6532 Restoring the Highway Trust Fund Balance Bill Passed - House (387 - 37)
July 15, 2008 NC SB 1695 Tractor Trailer Length Bill Passed - House (101 - 10)
July 9, 2008 VA SB 6009 Transportation Taxes Bill Failed - House (39 - 59)
June 26, 2008 National HR 6052 Public Transportation and Alternative Fuel Grants Bill Passed - House (322 - 98)
June 25, 2008 AZ HB 2156 Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 12)
June 25, 2008 PA A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
June 20, 2008 RI S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 12)
June 19, 2008 LA SB 137 Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (70 - 19)
June 12, 2008 RI H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
June 11, 2008 National HR 6003 Amtrak Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (311 - 104)
May 29, 2008 CA AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 3)
May 28, 2008 CA AB 2368 CalWORKs Eligibility Bill Passed - House (46 - 33)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
May 28, 2008 WI AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
May 19, 2008 LA HB 1312 Drivers Insurance Increase Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
May 14, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
May 13, 2008 LA HB 1358 Transporting Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (70 - 17)
May 5, 2008 MN Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
May 5, 2008 CO SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
May 5, 2008 CA AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
May 1, 2008 CA AB 1943 Passenger Rights on Commercial Airlines Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/10 HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
7/31 HR 3435 Supplemental Appropriations for the "Cash for Clunkers" Program Bill Passed - House (316 - 109)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
6/22 A 1039 Albany Parking Permits Bill Passed - House (99 - 42)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
6/17 HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
6/15 HB 835 Railroad Safety Program Bill Failed - House (50 - 45)
6/09 HR 2751 Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act Bill Passed - House (298 - 119)
6/02 HB 639 Motorcycle Helmets Bill Passed - House (64 - 33)
6/01 LD 1357 Relating to Driver's License and Identification Card Regulations Bill Passed - House (81 - 56)
5/31 HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
5/27 Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
5/27 HB 146 Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (57 - 41)
5/27 HB 2001 Transit and Gas Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
5/18 HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law Bill Passed - House (73 - 60)
5/08 HB 2186 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
5/08 SB 1778 Increases Certain Transportation-Related Fees Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 43)
5/07 H 376 Transportation Funding Package Bill Passed - House (46 - 18)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
4/28 HB 2377 Prohibiting Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
4/28 SB 228 Repealing the General Fund Spending Cap Bill Passed - House (35 - 29)
4/27 SB 393 Prohibiting Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
4/22 A771 Requiring Hands Free Devices for Cell Phones in Cars Amendment Rejected - House (95 - 100)
4/22 SB 5768 Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Bill Passed - House (53 - 43)
4/15 H 147 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - House (104 - 40)
4/10 SB 277 Authorizing Speed Monitoring Systems Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
4/10 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
4/09 H 135 Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
4/07 S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
4/01 HB Text Messaging while Driving Ban Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
4/01 HB 72 Cell Phone Ban in School Speed Zones and Construction Zones Bill Passed - House (90 - 24)
4/01 H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
4/01 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
4/01 HB 71 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (89 - 27)
3/30 SB 67 English Only Requirement for Driver's License Examinations Bill Passed - House (104 - 58)
3/27 HB 2621 Prohibiting the Use of Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (80 - 18)
3/26 HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
3/24 SB 37 Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
3/24 HB 34 Banning Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (222 - 137)
3/19 H 246 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (27 - 43)
3/18 HB 442 Expanding Red-Light Traffic Camera Enforcement Bill Passed - House (68 - 47)
3/12 HB 290 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 29)
3/12 HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
3/12 HB 23 Age-Specific Ban on Wireless Communication While Driving Bill Passed - House (138 - 34)
3/09 HB 160 Speeding Fee Bill Passed - House (113 - 53)
3/09 HB 102 State and Local Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
3/06 HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 17)
3/05 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
3/05 HB 179 Authorizing Land Swap for Development of UTA Rail Station Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
3/04 HB 644 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (190 - 162)
2/26 SB 108 Increasing Vehicle Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (34 - 31)
2/25 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
2/25 SB 1167 Increasing the Fees for Personalized License Plates Bill Failed - House (41 - 57)
2/25 SB 78 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Passed - House (60 - 31)
2/24 HB 531 Red Light Camera Prohibition Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
2/24 HB 1215 Increasing Traffic Fines to Fund Trauma Centers Bill Passed - House (53 - 42)
2/18 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Passed - House (197 - 155)
2/16 HB 1197 Seat Belt Violation as Primary Offense Bill Failed - House (34 - 58)
2/16 HB 1431 Increasing Fines for Certain Traffic Violations Bill Failed - House (35 - 57)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
2/05 HB 1826 Driver's License Suspension for Unexcused School Absences Bill Passed - House (68 - 28)
1/30 HB 141 Amending DUI Statutes Bill Passed - House (49 - 10)
1/29 HB 190 Suspending Driver's Licenses for Nonpayment of Child Support Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
1/29 HB 1182 Point Reduction for Seat Belt Use Bill Passed - House (56 - 38)
1/29 HB 1013 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (78 - 12)
1/28 HB 1119 Prohibiting Cell Phone Use While Driving for Specific Age Groups Bill Passed - House (62 - 27)
1/26 HB 1042 Amending Minimum Traffic Speed Regulations Bill Passed - House (37 - 27)
12/10 HR 7321 Automotive Industry Financing Bill Passed - House (237 - 170)
12/04 HB 5117 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
9/26 HR 7060 Renewable Energy Credits and Other Business and Individual Credits Bill Passed - House (257 - 166)
9/16 HR 6899 Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling and Extending Certain Renewable Energy Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (236 - 189)
8/31 AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
8/29 SB 60 Expanding Driver's License Eligibility Bill Passed - House (41 - 31)
8/25 SB 375 Global Warming and Land Use Policy Bill Passed - House (49 - 22)
8/13 AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 15)
8/13 SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Passed - House (52 - 24)
7/24 HR 3999 National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act Bill Passed - House (367 - 55)
7/23 HR 6532 Restoring the Highway Trust Fund Balance Bill Passed - House (387 - 37)
7/15 SB 1695 Tractor Trailer Length Bill Passed - House (101 - 10)
7/09 SB 6009 Transportation Taxes Bill Failed - House (39 - 59)
6/26 HR 6052 Public Transportation and Alternative Fuel Grants Bill Passed - House (322 - 98)
6/25 HB 2156 Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 12)
6/25 A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
6/20 S 2706 Red Light Cameras Bill Passed - House (44 - 12)
6/19 SB 137 Young Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving Bill Passed - House (70 - 19)
6/12 H 7222 page 5, re: Sec. 3-8-9: Transportation of Alcohol by Minors Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
6/11 HR 6003 Amtrak Reauthorization Bill Passed - House (311 - 104)
5/29 AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - House (60 - 3)
5/28 AB 2368 CalWORKs Eligibility Bill Passed - House (46 - 33)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (60 - 36)
5/28 AB 1 Education Line Item Veto Override Veto Override Failed - House (57 - 39)
5/19 HB 1312 Drivers Insurance Increase Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
5/14 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
5/13 HB 1358 Transporting Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (70 - 17)
5/05 Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday Amendment Rejected - House (28 - 102)
5/05 SB 226 Zebra Mussels Ban Bill Passed - House (54 - 11)
5/05 AB 2233 Ban on Holding Pets While Driving Bill Passed - House (44 - 20)
5/01 AB 1943 Passenger Rights on Commercial Airlines Bill Passed - House (57 - 17)

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