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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 499 Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 503 Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221)
Nov. 20, 2013 National HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
Nov. 5, 2013 WI AB 297 Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Oct. 15, 2013 WI AB 297 Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
July 1, 2013 OR SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
June 28, 2013 OR SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots by Agreement Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
June 27, 2013 CA AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
May 2, 2013 CA AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - House (41 - 12)
April 10, 2013 OR SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
Feb. 28, 2013 National S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (286 - 138)
Feb. 12, 2013 National S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
June 19, 2012 National HR 2578 Conservation and Economic Growth Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
June 5, 2012 NC SB 582 Expands Casino Gambling Bill Passed - House (68 - 49)
May 16, 2012 National HR 4970 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (222 - 205)
April 26, 2012 National S 1925 Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
March 1, 2012 FL HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
Nov. 9, 2011 ND SB 2370 Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
Nov. 8, 2011 ND SB 2370 Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
Oct. 26, 2011 National HR 1904 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
March 11, 2011 ND HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
Feb. 21, 2011 ND HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
Feb. 17, 2011 ID H 111 Increased Authority for Tribal Peace Officers Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
July 21, 2010 National HR 725 Tribal Law Enforcement Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (326 - 92)
April 15, 2010 FL SB 622 Gaming Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
March 1, 2010 SD SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2010 WI AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
Feb. 9, 2010 NM HB 162 Severance Bonds For Tribal Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
March 11, 2009 OK HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
March 11, 2009 UT HB 179 Authorizing Land Swap for Development of UTA Rail Station Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 5, 2009 UT HB 179 Authorizing Land Swap for Development of UTA Rail Station Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
Aug. 8, 2008 NY A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4)
June 25, 2008 National HR 2176 Bay Mills Indian Community Land Claim Bill Bill Failed - House (121 - 298)
June 24, 2008 NY A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - House (141 - 3)
May 8, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
May 7, 2008 MN SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 20)
April 15, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Veto Override Failed - House (94 - 49)
April 10, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
April 4, 2008 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - House (98 - 32)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
March 31, 2008 ME LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 10, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
March 7, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Feb. 26, 2008 National S Amdt 3896 Prohibiting the Funds in S 1200 from Being Used for Abortions Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 42)
Feb. 26, 2008 National S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
Feb. 25, 2008 National S Amdt 4070 Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 11)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
Feb. 11, 2008 TN SA 883 Commission of Indian Affairs Extension Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 10)
Oct. 24, 2007 National HR 505 Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (261 - 153)
June 15, 2007 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 15, 2007 ME LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - House (101 - 38)
Sept. 13, 2006 National HR 4893 Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes Act Bill Failed - House (247 - 171)
Dec. 8, 2005 National HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (234 - 197)
July 29, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (99 - 1)
July 28, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 10)
June 29, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 0)
May 19, 2005 National HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
March 17, 2005 National S Amdt 211 Native American Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
June 17, 2004 National HR 4568 Interior Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (334 - 86)
Sept. 23, 2003 National HR 1409 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Land Exchange Act '02 Bill Passed - House (288 - 127)
July 17, 2002 National HR 5093 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
Oct. 17, 2001 National HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3)
Oct. 5, 1998 National HR 1154 Indian Federal Recognition Administrative Procedures Bill Failed - House (190 - 208)
July 23, 1998 National HR 4193 Interior Department FY99 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 181)
June 20, 1996 National H Amdt 1190 Tribal Land Trust Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 206)
Jan. 4, 1996 National HR 1977 1996 Interior Appropriations Veto Override Failed - House (239 - 177)
Dec. 14, 1995 National HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (58 - 40)
Dec. 13, 1995 National HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 181)
July 18, 1995 National HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (244 - 181)
Sept. 28, 1994 National HR 4602 Interior Department FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
Nov. 9, 1993 National HR 2520 Interior Department Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 9)
July 15, 1993 National HR 2520 Interior Department Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (278 - 138)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/20 H Amdt 499 Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228)
11/20 H Amdt 503 Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221)
11/20 HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
11/05 AB 297 Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
10/15 AB 297 Amends Laws Concerning the Use of Race-Based Nicknames, Logos, Mascots, and Team Names Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
7/01 SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
6/28 SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots by Agreement Bill Passed - House (41 - 19)
6/27 AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
5/02 AB 277 Authorizes Gaming on Traditional Tribal Territory Bill Passed - House (41 - 12)
4/10 SB 215 Authorizes Schools to Use Native American Mascots Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4)
2/28 S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (286 - 138)
2/12 S 47 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (78 - 22)
6/19 HR 2578 Conservation and Economic Growth Act Bill Passed - House (232 - 188)
6/05 SB 582 Expands Casino Gambling Bill Passed - House (68 - 49)
5/16 HR 4970 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - House (222 - 205)
4/26 S 1925 Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act Bill Passed - Senate (68 - 31)
3/01 HB 1209 Prohibits Courts from Basing Decisions on Foreign Laws Bill Passed - House (92 - 24)
11/09 SB 2370 Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
11/08 SB 2370 Authorizes Changing the Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 7)
10/26 HR 1904 Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
3/11 HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 15)
2/21 HB 1263 Athletic Nickname and Logo of the University of North Dakota Bill Passed - House (65 - 28)
2/17 H 111 Increased Authority for Tribal Peace Officers Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
7/21 HR 725 Tribal Law Enforcement Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (326 - 92)
4/15 SB 622 Gaming Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
3/01 SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/25 AB 35 Complaint Process for Race-Based Names, Logos and Mascots of Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
2/09 HB 162 Severance Bonds For Tribal Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
3/11 HJR 1042 English as Official State Language Joint Resolution Passed - House (66 - 32)
3/11 HB 179 Authorizing Land Swap for Development of UTA Rail Station Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/05 HB 179 Authorizing Land Swap for Development of UTA Rail Station Bill Passed - House (52 - 21)
8/08 A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4)
6/25 HR 2176 Bay Mills Indian Community Land Claim Bill Bill Failed - House (121 - 298)
6/24 A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - House (141 - 3)
5/08 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 49)
5/07 SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (45 - 20)
4/15 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Veto Override Failed - House (94 - 49)
4/10 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
4/04 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - House (98 - 32)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (84 - 55)
3/31 LD 2289 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/10 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
3/07 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
2/26 S Amdt 3896 Prohibiting the Funds in S 1200 from Being Used for Abortions Amendment Adopted - Senate (52 - 42)
2/26 S 1200 Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 Bill Passed - Senate (83 - 10)
2/25 S Amdt 4070 Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership Amendment Adopted - Senate (78 - 11)
2/18 HB 2476 Tribal Police Jurisdiction Bill Passed - House (58 - 37)
2/11 SA 883 Commission of Indian Affairs Extension Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 10)
10/24 HR 505 Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act of 2007 Bill Passed - House (261 - 153)
6/15 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/15 LD 701 Slot Machine Authorization Bill Passed - House (101 - 38)
9/13 HR 4893 Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes Act Bill Failed - House (247 - 171)
12/08 HR 4297 Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005 Bill Passed - House (234 - 197)
7/29 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (99 - 1)
7/28 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 10)
6/29 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - Senate (94 - 0)
5/19 HR 2361 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (329 - 89)
3/17 S Amdt 211 Native American Funding Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 55)
6/17 HR 4568 Interior Department FY2005 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (334 - 86)
9/23 HR 1409 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Land Exchange Act '02 Bill Passed - House (288 - 127)
7/17 HR 5093 Department of the Interior Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2003 Bill Passed - House (377 - 46)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (380 - 28)
10/17 HR 2217 Interior Department Appropriations for FY 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (95 - 3)
10/05 HR 1154 Indian Federal Recognition Administrative Procedures Bill Failed - House (190 - 208)
7/23 HR 4193 Interior Department FY99 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 181)
6/20 H Amdt 1190 Tribal Land Trust Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (212 - 206)
1/04 HR 1977 1996 Interior Appropriations Veto Override Failed - House (239 - 177)
12/14 HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (58 - 40)
12/13 HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (244 - 181)
7/18 HR 1977 Interior Department FY96 Appropriations bill Bill Passed - House (244 - 181)
9/28 HR 4602 Interior Department FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 7)
11/09 HR 2520 Interior Department Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 9)
7/15 HR 2520 Interior Department Fiscal Year 1994 Appropriations Bill Bill Passed - House (278 - 138)

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