Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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
Feb. 7, 2011 ID HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 2, 2011 NC HB 2 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
Feb. 2, 2011 IA HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Jan. 20, 2011 AZ SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
Jan. 20, 2011 AR HB 1115 Absentee Mayor Bill Passed - House (70 - 22)
Jan. 11, 2011 MO HR 39 Attorney General Challenge of the Federal Health Care Law Resolution Passed - House (115 - 46)
Nov. 17, 2010 National HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
June 21, 2010 LA SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
May 26, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 1474 Choice of Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
May 11, 2010 MO HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 47)
May 10, 2010 LA HB 942 School Board and Superintendent Contracts Bill Passed - House (76 - 16)
May 5, 2010 CT SB 312 Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
April 22, 2010 FL HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 42)
April 14, 2010 LA Amdt 2565 Limiting the Number of Terms School Board Members May Serve Amendment Rejected - House (30 - 65)
March 31, 2010 AZ SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
March 31, 2010 MO HB 1601 St. Louis Police Department Governance Modifications Motion Rejected - House (66 - 86)
March 29, 2010 ID SJM 106 Requesting Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 26)
March 23, 2010 KS HCR 5032 Prohibiting Health Insurance Mandates Joint Resolution Failed - House (75 - 47)
March 22, 2010 GA HR 1086 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - House (111 - 61)
March 21, 2010 National HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
March 18, 2010 NH HB 1335 Authorizing Localities to Reduce Interest Rates on Unpaid Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (195 - 136)
March 9, 2010 ID H 589 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
March 3, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 3, 2010 WY HB 95 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
March 3, 2010 AZ HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
Feb. 24, 2010 AZ HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Feb. 16, 2010 UT HCR 8 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Resolution Passed - House (57 - 15)
Feb. 12, 2010 VA SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
Feb. 10, 2010 UT SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2010 WA HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Feb. 9, 2010 ID H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
Feb. 3, 2010 NH HB 1274 Restoring Revenue Sharing for Cities and Towns "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 172)
Feb. 3, 2010 NH HB 1128 Repealing Meal and Room Tax Distribution Requirement Bill Passed - House (189 - 169)
Feb. 1, 2010 OK SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
Jan. 14, 2010 IN HB 1181 Allowing Referendums on Retaining or Abolishing Township Governments Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Nov. 7, 2009 National H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
Sept. 17, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
Sept. 16, 2009 MO HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
Aug. 10, 2009 NC HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 14 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 25)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 26 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 31)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 15 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14)
June 26, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
June 25, 2009 NJ S 1175 Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18)
June 18, 2009 MI SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
June 18, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
June 17, 2009 NY A 8903-A Extending City Board Jurisdiction Over New York City Schools Bill Passed - House (129 - 18)
June 12, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
June 9, 2009 DE HB 117 School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
June 3, 2009 CA AB 155 Local Government Bankruptcy Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
June 1, 2009 NY A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - House (118 - 26)
June 1, 2009 TN HJR 369 Opposing the Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
May 29, 2009 NV AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - House (33 - 9)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 1645 Requiring Qualified Purchasing Agents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (63 - 26)
April 30, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 19)
April 21, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
April 15, 2009 OK SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
April 15, 2009 ID S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
April 6, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 10, 2009 HI HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
March 9, 2009 KY HB 102 State and Local Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
March 4, 2009 UT SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
March 3, 2009 WA HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
Feb. 25, 2009 IN HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 11, 2009 WY HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
Feb. 10, 2009 IN HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
Feb. 4, 2009 OR HB 2157 Severing the Federal and State Income Tax Connection Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 4, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
Feb. 3, 2009 WY HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
Feb. 2, 2009 NY A 1688 Expanding Local Control Over Rent Laws Bill Passed - House (94 - 49)
Jan. 30, 2009 WY Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2009 IA SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 12 Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
July 16, 2008 National HR 415 Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Bill Passed - House (242 - 175)
July 8, 2008 NC HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 59)
June 25, 2008 PA A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
June 24, 2008 NY A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - House (141 - 3)
June 23, 2008 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
June 11, 2008 CT SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
June 10, 2008 LA SB 807 Cable Deregulation Bill Bill Passed - House (94 - 9)
June 9, 2008 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Failed - House (49 - 26)
June 4, 2008 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/07 HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/02 HB 2 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
2/02 HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
1/20 SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
1/20 HB 1115 Absentee Mayor Bill Passed - House (70 - 22)
1/11 HR 39 Attorney General Challenge of the Federal Health Care Law Resolution Passed - House (115 - 46)
11/17 HR 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 2 Veto Override Failed - House (185 - 235)
6/21 SB 65 Coastal Zone Expansion Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 17)
6/09 HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
6/09 HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
6/09 HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
6/09 HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
6/09 HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
6/09 HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
6/09 HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
6/09 HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
5/26 SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
5/18 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
5/13 HB 1474 Choice of Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
5/11 HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 47)
5/10 HB 942 School Board and Superintendent Contracts Bill Passed - House (76 - 16)
5/05 SB 312 Regionalization of State Emergency Telecommunications Bill Passed - House (119 - 29)
4/22 HJR 37 Prohibiting Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (74 - 42)
4/14 Amdt 2565 Limiting the Number of Terms School Board Members May Serve Amendment Rejected - House (30 - 65)
3/31 SB 1001 Authorizing Governor to Challenge Federal Individual Health Care Mandate Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
3/31 HB 1601 St. Louis Police Department Governance Modifications Motion Rejected - House (66 - 86)
3/29 SJM 106 Requesting Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Individual Health Care Mandate Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 26)
3/23 HCR 5032 Prohibiting Health Insurance Mandates Joint Resolution Failed - House (75 - 47)
3/22 HR 1086 Prohibiting Health Care Mandates Resolution Failed - House (111 - 61)
3/21 HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (219 - 212)
3/18 HB 1335 Authorizing Localities to Reduce Interest Rates on Unpaid Property Taxes Bill Passed - House (195 - 136)
3/09 H 589 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
3/03 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/03 HB 95 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - House (38 - 20)
3/03 HB 2337 Incandescent Light Bulb Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
2/24 HB 2307 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
2/16 HCR 8 Statement of Opposition to Federal Health Care Proposal Resolution Passed - House (57 - 15)
2/12 SB 283 Prohibiting Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (67 - 29)
2/10 SB 11 Federal Arms Regulation Exemption Bill Passed - House (56 - 17)
2/10 HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
2/09 H 391 Opposing Federal Individual Health Insurance Mandate Bill Passed - House (52 - 18)
2/03 HB 1274 Restoring Revenue Sharing for Cities and Towns "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (191 - 172)
2/03 HB 1128 Repealing Meal and Room Tax Distribution Requirement Bill Passed - House (189 - 169)
2/01 SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
1/14 HB 1181 Allowing Referendums on Retaining or Abolishing Township Governments Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
11/07 H Amdt 510 Substitute Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (176 - 258)
9/17 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
9/16 HB 544 Increasing Legislative Oversight of Federal Funds Veto Override Failed - House (86 - 71)
8/10 HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
7/24 ABX4 14 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 25)
7/24 ABX4 26 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 31)
7/24 ABX4 15 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 14)
6/26 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14)
6/25 S 1175 Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18)
6/18 SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
6/18 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
6/17 A 8903-A Extending City Board Jurisdiction Over New York City Schools Bill Passed - House (129 - 18)
6/12 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
6/09 HB 117 School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
6/03 AB 155 Local Government Bankruptcy Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
6/01 A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - House (118 - 26)
6/01 HJR 369 Opposing the Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
5/29 AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - House (33 - 9)
5/21 A 1645 Requiring Qualified Purchasing Agents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
5/19 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (63 - 26)
4/30 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 19)
4/21 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
4/15 SB 834 Increased Local School Board Control Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
4/15 S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
4/06 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
4/03 HB 2 Citizenship Status Verification of Government Assistance Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (121 - 47)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/10 HB 1744 Suspending the Distribution of Transient Accommodation Tax Revenue to Counties Bill Passed - House (33 - 17)
3/09 HB 102 State and Local Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (67 - 23)
3/04 SB 29 Authorizing Corporate Water Systems to Refuse Fluoridation Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
3/03 HB 1956 Limiting Local Regulations of Homeless Shelters Bill Passed - House (56 - 41)
2/25 HB 1730 Exempting Energy Efficient Projects From Referendum Requirements Bill Passed - House (52 - 48)
2/17 HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/11 HB 32 Gray Wolf Management Plan Amendments Bill Failed - House (7 - 52)
2/10 HB 1656 Shifting Federal Transportation Funding to Counties and Localities Bill Passed - House (88 - 11)
2/04 HB 2157 Severing the Federal and State Income Tax Connection Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/04 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
2/03 HB 31 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (31 - 29)
2/02 A 1688 Expanding Local Control Over Rent Laws Bill Passed - House (94 - 49)
1/30 Amdt 2002 to HB 31 Allowing Counties and Municipalities to Opt Out of Smoking Ban Amendment Adopted - House (41 - 18)
1/29 SF 44 Expediting Local-Option Tax Approval in Disaster Areas Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
12/18 ABx1 12 Extending Tax Withholding Requirements to Payments to Independent Contractors Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 28)
7/16 HR 415 Adding Parts of the Taunton River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Bill Passed - House (242 - 175)
7/08 HB 2690 Durham County Meals Tax Bill Passed - House (60 - 59)
6/25 A 7738 Real ID Biometric Data Bill Failed - House (92 - 108)
6/24 A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - House (141 - 3)
6/23 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
6/11 SB 1001 Real Estate Conveyance Tax Extension Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
6/10 SB 807 Cable Deregulation Bill Bill Passed - House (94 - 9)
6/09 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Failed - House (49 - 26)
6/04 SB 246 Smoking Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (163 - 38)

arrow_upward