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
March 27, 2013 MD SB 274 Expands Medicaid Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
March 26, 2013 KY SB 13 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Election Days Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
March 26, 2013 IN HB 1293 Establishes Micro-Distiller Permits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 26, 2013 OK HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
March 26, 2013 KS SB 72 Exempts Health Clubs From Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
March 25, 2013 IA SF 296 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 21, 2013 AK SB 21 Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
March 21, 2013 ID H 248 Establishes Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 15, 2013 CO HB 1229 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
March 14, 2013 KS HB 2022 Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 14, 2013 National S Amdt 66 Temporarily Prohibits the Hiring of Nonessential Federal Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
March 13, 2013 NC SB 81 Establishes the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
March 12, 2013 MO SB 26 Amends State Tax Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 11, 2013 CO HB 1228 Establishes a Background Check Fee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 7, 2013 MN HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
March 6, 2013 ID S 1117 Authorizes Permits for Heavy Trucks on Certain Routes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
March 4, 2013 NM SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
March 4, 2013 NM SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
Feb. 28, 2013 IL SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2013 OK SB 1062 Amends State Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2013 WI SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Feb. 26, 2013 IN SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Feb. 19, 2013 AK HB 80 Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Feb. 19, 2013 AK HB 80 Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
Feb. 14, 2013 MN HF 9 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
Feb. 14, 2013 IL SB 622 Increases Physician License Fees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Feb. 14, 2013 KY SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 14, 2013 KY SB 88 Repeals Regulations on Telephone Utility Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2013 MT SB 96 Reduces Business Equipment Tax Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Feb. 7, 2013 NJ SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 7, 2013 NJ SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5112 Amends Scheduling Authority In Workers Compensation Rehabilitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5128 Authorizes Voluntary Settlements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
Feb. 4, 2013 WA SB 5127 Reduces Age Requirements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Jan. 31, 2013 WY SF 131 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
Dec. 6, 2012 MI SB 116 Prohibits Employees from Being Required to Join a Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ A 2162 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ A 2162 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ S 2241 Prohibits Unauthorized Medical Provider Reimbursement Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Oct. 25, 2012 NJ S 1650 Increases Requirements for Emergency Medical Service Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Oct. 17, 2012 PA HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
Aug. 31, 2012 CA SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Aug. 28, 2012 CA AB 2132 Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Aug. 27, 2012 CA AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 2327 Increases Penalties for the Misuse of Funds by Charitable Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Aug. 21, 2012 CA HB 2676 Increases Penalties For Agriculture Health And Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
Aug. 20, 2012 CA AB 1313 Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
July 19, 2012 National S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
July 19, 2012 National S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
July 12, 2012 National S 2237 Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
June 14, 2012 CA AB 2127 Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 7, 2012 RI S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 7, 2012 RI S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
June 5, 2012 National S 3220 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 1447 Pension Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
May 31, 2012 CA SB 956 Regulates Buy-Here-Pay-Here Car Loans and Lenders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
May 30, 2012 LA HB 61 Amends State Workers Pensions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 8)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
May 30, 2012 CA SB 1054 Requires Notifying Property Owners Prior to Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
May 29, 2012 IL SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
May 16, 2012 NH HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
May 16, 2012 AL HB 658 Amends Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
May 15, 2012 MD SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
May 10, 2012 LA SB 740 Limits Cost of Living Adjustments for Pensions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 10, 2012 DE SB 205 Requires Manufactured Home Community Owners to Explain Rent Increases Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
May 8, 2012 CT HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 3, 2012 MN HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 25)
May 3, 2012 MN SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks Veto Override Failed - Senate (37 - 29)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/27 SB 274 Expands Medicaid Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 11)
3/26 SB 13 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Election Days Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
3/26 HB 1293 Establishes Micro-Distiller Permits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/26 HB 1999 Authorizes the Slaughter of Horses Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
3/26 SB 72 Exempts Health Clubs From Property Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
3/25 SF 296 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/21 SB 21 Amends the Oil Industry Tax Rate Structure Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
3/21 H 248 Establishes Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/15 HB 1229 Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14)
3/14 HB 2022 Prohibits Automatic Deductions by Public Labor Organizations for Political Fundraising Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/14 S Amdt 66 Temporarily Prohibits the Hiring of Nonessential Federal Employees Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 54)
3/13 SB 81 Establishes the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
3/12 SB 26 Amends State Tax Code Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/11 HB 1228 Establishes a Background Check Fee Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/07 HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
3/06 S 1117 Authorizes Permits for Heavy Trucks on Certain Routes Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
3/04 SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
3/04 SB 416 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
2/28 SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
2/27 SB 1062 Amends State Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 12)
2/27 SB 1 Amends Wisconsin's Iron-Ore Mining Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
2/26 SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
2/26 SB 213 Prohibits Localities From Requiring Certain Employment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
2/19 HB 80 Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
2/19 HB 80 Amends Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Permits Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6)
2/14 HF 9 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
2/14 SB 622 Increases Physician License Fees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
2/14 SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/14 SB 88 Repeals Regulations on Telephone Utility Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
2/09 SB 96 Reduces Business Equipment Tax Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
2/07 SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/07 SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
2/04 SB 5112 Amends Scheduling Authority In Workers Compensation Rehabilitation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
2/04 SB 5128 Authorizes Voluntary Settlements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 24)
2/04 SB 5127 Reduces Age Requirements for Workers' Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
1/31 SF 131 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
12/06 SB 116 Prohibits Employees from Being Required to Join a Labor Union Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
11/29 A 2162 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
11/29 A 2162 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
11/29 SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
11/29 SCR 1 Increases Minimum Wage Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
11/29 S 2241 Prohibits Unauthorized Medical Provider Reimbursement Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
10/25 S 1650 Increases Requirements for Emergency Medical Service Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
10/17 HB 2626 Authorizes Employers to Keep Income Taxes Paid by their Employees Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
8/31 SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
8/29 AB 889 Establishes Work Condition Requirements for Domestic Work Employees Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
8/28 AB 2132 Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
8/27 AB 2346 Authorizes Farm Workers to Sue Employers for Health or Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/22 AB 2327 Increases Penalties for the Misuse of Funds by Charitable Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
8/21 HB 2676 Increases Penalties For Agriculture Health And Safety Violations Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
8/20 AB 1313 Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
7/19 S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
7/19 S 3364 Bring Jobs Home Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
7/12 S 2237 Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (53 - 44)
6/14 AB 2127 Authorizes Work Release for Certain Offenders Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/11 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/07 S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/07 S 2374 Increases Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11)
6/05 S 3220 Paycheck Fairness Act Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 47)
5/31 SB 3442 Requires Recycling of Plastic Bags Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
5/31 HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
5/31 HB 1447 Pension Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 24)
5/31 SB 956 Regulates Buy-Here-Pay-Here Car Loans and Lenders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
5/30 HB 61 Amends State Workers Pensions Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 8)
5/30 SB 1234 Establishes Retirement Program for Private Sector Employees Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
5/30 SB 1054 Requires Notifying Property Owners Prior to Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18)
5/29 SB 2194 Increases Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
5/16 HB 1607 Establishes a Tax Credit for Businesses that Donate to Certain Scholarship Funds Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
5/16 HB 658 Amends Immigration Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
5/15 SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
5/10 SB 740 Limits Cost of Living Adjustments for Pensions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/10 SB 205 Requires Manufactured Home Community Owners to Explain Rent Increases Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
5/08 HB 5556 Requires Corporations to Identify Top Donors for Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/03 HF 2337 Amends Property Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 25)
5/03 SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks Veto Override Failed - Senate (37 - 29)

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