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
June 10, 2013 National S 954 Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27)
May 30, 2013 KS SB 84 Reduces State Income Tax Rates Conference Report Rejected - House (18 - 94)
May 23, 2013 ME LD 1546 Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 22, 2013 ME LD 1546 Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds Bill Passed - House (87 - 56)
May 20, 2013 MN HF 677 Amends State Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 30)
May 19, 2013 MN HF 677 Amends State Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 65)
May 9, 2013 TX SB 376 Establishes a Free Breakfast Program for Students Bill Passed - House (73 - 58)
May 8, 2013 MO SB 114 Amends Homebrewed Beer and Liquor Distributor Regulations Bill Passed - House (110 - 48)
May 7, 2013 AL HB 9 Authorizes Home Brewing Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
May 7, 2013 NC HB 610 Expands the Sale of Alcohol in Seating Areas of Certain Stadiums and Ballparks Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
April 30, 2013 MI SB 197 Requires the State Prison Food Service To Seek Competitive Bids From Private Entities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
April 18, 2013 NV AB 126 Requires Restaurant Chains to Disclose Calorie Counts Bill Passed - House (25 - 14)
April 16, 2013 WI AB 82 Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
April 12, 2013 WA HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
April 10, 2013 AR HB 1536 Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
April 6, 2013 AR HB 1536 Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk Bill Passed - House (60 - 19)
April 2, 2013 AL HB 9 Authorizes Home Brewing Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
March 26, 2013 IN HB 1293 Establishes Micro-Distiller Permits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
March 21, 2013 KS SB 84 Reduces State Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (82 - 39)
March 21, 2013 PA HB 790 Requires the State to Privatize Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (105 - 90)
March 14, 2013 UT HB 228 Amends Liquor Licensing Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 16)
March 6, 2013 MS SB 2687 Prohibits Local Government Management of Nutrition Labeling Bill Passed - House (92 - 26)
Feb. 4, 2013 NM HJM 16 Authorizes a Feasibility Study of Horse Slaughter Plants Joint Resolution Failed - House (28 - 36)
June 21, 2012 National S Amdt 2310 Requires Labels on Foods with Genetically Modified Ingredients Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 73)
June 20, 2012 UT SB 4001 Authorizes Additional Liquor Licenses Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
June 19, 2012 National S Amdt 2172 Rescinds Bonuses to States for Administering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 58)
June 19, 2012 National S Amdt 2156 Increases Funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (33 - 66)
June 13, 2012 National S Amdt 2392 Reduces Funding for Food Stamps Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 33)
May 24, 2012 National S Amdt 2108 Prohibits FDA Approval of Genetically Engineered Fish Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 50)
May 1, 2012 CT HB 5021 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Sundays and Certain Holidays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
April 26, 2012 CT HB 5021 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Sundays and Certain Holidays Bill Passed - House (116 - 27)
April 10, 2012 CO SB 68 Prohibits Food with Trans Fat in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 13, 2012 KS Goodman Amdt Eliminates Sales Tax on Food Amendment Adopted - House (76 - 44)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2012 UT HB 283 Authorizing State Liquor Stores to Open on Certain Holidays Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
Feb. 24, 2012 UT HB 198 Prohibits Regulation of Family Food Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
Feb. 15, 2012 FL HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
Dec. 7, 2011 PA HB 242 Permitting the On-Site Sale of Alcohol at Distilleries Concurrence Vote Passed - House (164 - 29)
Dec. 7, 2011 PA HB 242 Permitting the On-Site Sale of Alcohol at Distilleries Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
Dec. 1, 2011 National S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
Nov. 17, 2011 National HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 30)
Nov. 17, 2011 National HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121)
July 14, 2011 CA SB 39 Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
July 11, 2011 CA SB 39 Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
May 25, 2011 WA SB 5942 State Liquor Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
May 24, 2011 WA SB 5942 State Liquor Sales Bill Passed - House (52 - 42)
April 12, 2011 GA SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - House (127 - 44)
April 11, 2011 MD SB 994 Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Bill Passed - House (76 - 63)
March 30, 2011 MD SB 994 Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
March 23, 2011 IA HF 617 Alcoholic Beverage Permits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
March 16, 2011 GA SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
Feb. 28, 2011 UT SB 270 Modifications to Sales and Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
Dec. 21, 2010 National HR 2751 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 144)
Nov. 30, 2010 National S 510 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
Oct. 8, 2009 National HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
Oct. 7, 2009 National HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - House (263 - 162)
July 30, 2009 National HR 2749 Food Safety Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (283 - 142)
June 18, 2008 National HR 6124 Second Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (317 - 109)
June 18, 2008 National HR 6124 Second Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - Senate (80 - 14)
May 22, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - Senate (82 - 13)
May 21, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (316 - 108)
May 15, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 15)
May 14, 2008 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 106)
Dec. 14, 2007 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 14)
July 27, 2007 National HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Bill Passed - House (231 - 191)
Dec. 7, 2006 National PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
Sept. 7, 2006 National HR 503 Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill Bill Passed - House (263 - 146)
Aug. 3, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
July 29, 2006 National HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 180)
May 23, 2006 National HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
March 8, 2006 National HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
Nov. 3, 2005 National HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 18)
Oct. 28, 2005 National HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 63)
Oct. 19, 2005 National HR 554 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (306 - 120)
Sept. 22, 2005 National HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
June 8, 2005 National HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (408 - 18)
March 10, 2004 National HR 339 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits (Cheeseburger Bill) Bill Passed - House (276 - 139)
May 8, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 35)
May 2, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
Feb. 13, 2002 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40)
Oct. 5, 2001 National HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - House (291 - 120)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/10 S 954 Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (66 - 27)
5/30 SB 84 Reduces State Income Tax Rates Conference Report Rejected - House (18 - 94)
5/23 LD 1546 Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/22 LD 1546 Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds Bill Passed - House (87 - 56)
5/20 HF 677 Amends State Taxes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 30)
5/19 HF 677 Amends State Taxes Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 65)
5/09 SB 376 Establishes a Free Breakfast Program for Students Bill Passed - House (73 - 58)
5/08 SB 114 Amends Homebrewed Beer and Liquor Distributor Regulations Bill Passed - House (110 - 48)
5/07 HB 9 Authorizes Home Brewing Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
5/07 HB 610 Expands the Sale of Alcohol in Seating Areas of Certain Stadiums and Ballparks Bill Passed - House (73 - 45)
4/30 SB 197 Requires the State Prison Food Service To Seek Competitive Bids From Private Entities Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
4/18 AB 126 Requires Restaurant Chains to Disclose Calorie Counts Bill Passed - House (25 - 14)
4/16 AB 82 Prohibits the Unauthorized Transfer of Food Stamps Bill Passed - House (73 - 24)
4/12 HB 1001 Establishes a Liquor License for Small Theaters Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
4/10 HB 1536 Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
4/06 HB 1536 Authorizes Sale of Unpasteurized Whole Milk Bill Passed - House (60 - 19)
4/02 HB 9 Authorizes Home Brewing Bill Passed - House (58 - 33)
3/26 HB 1293 Establishes Micro-Distiller Permits Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
3/21 SB 84 Reduces State Income Tax Rates Bill Passed - House (82 - 39)
3/21 HB 790 Requires the State to Privatize Alcohol Sales Bill Passed - House (105 - 90)
3/14 HB 228 Amends Liquor Licensing Laws Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 16)
3/06 SB 2687 Prohibits Local Government Management of Nutrition Labeling Bill Passed - House (92 - 26)
2/04 HJM 16 Authorizes a Feasibility Study of Horse Slaughter Plants Joint Resolution Failed - House (28 - 36)
6/21 S Amdt 2310 Requires Labels on Foods with Genetically Modified Ingredients Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 73)
6/20 SB 4001 Authorizes Additional Liquor Licenses Bill Passed - House (57 - 10)
6/19 S Amdt 2172 Rescinds Bonuses to States for Administering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 58)
6/19 S Amdt 2156 Increases Funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (33 - 66)
6/13 S Amdt 2392 Reduces Funding for Food Stamps Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 33)
5/24 S Amdt 2108 Prohibits FDA Approval of Genetically Engineered Fish Amendment Rejected - Senate (46 - 50)
5/01 HB 5021 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Sundays and Certain Holidays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
4/26 HB 5021 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol on Sundays and Certain Holidays Bill Passed - House (116 - 27)
4/10 SB 68 Prohibits Food with Trans Fat in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/13 Goodman Amdt Eliminates Sales Tax on Food Amendment Adopted - House (76 - 44)
2/29 HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/27 HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/27 HB 283 Authorizing State Liquor Stores to Open on Certain Holidays Bill Passed - House (42 - 30)
2/24 HB 198 Prohibits Regulation of Family Food Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
2/15 HB 7087 Increases Certain Business Tax Credits and Sales Tax Exemptions Bill Passed - House (92 - 22)
12/07 HB 242 Permitting the On-Site Sale of Alcohol at Distilleries Concurrence Vote Passed - House (164 - 29)
12/07 HB 242 Permitting the On-Site Sale of Alcohol at Distilleries Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
12/01 S 1931 Reduces Payroll Tax Rate Motion Rejected - Senate (20 - 78)
11/17 HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 30)
11/17 HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121)
7/14 SB 39 Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
7/11 SB 39 Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
5/25 SB 5942 State Liquor Sales Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 19)
5/24 SB 5942 State Liquor Sales Bill Passed - House (52 - 42)
4/12 SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - House (127 - 44)
4/11 SB 994 Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Bill Passed - House (76 - 63)
3/30 SB 994 Increases Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19)
3/23 HF 617 Alcoholic Beverage Permits Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
3/16 SB 10 Alcoholic Beverage Sales on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22)
2/28 SB 270 Modifications to Sales and Use Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
12/21 HR 2751 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 144)
11/30 S 510 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
10/08 HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (76 - 22)
10/07 HR 2997 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Conference Report Adopted - House (263 - 162)
7/30 HR 2749 Food Safety Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - House (283 - 142)
6/18 HR 6124 Second Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (317 - 109)
6/18 HR 6124 Second Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - Senate (80 - 14)
5/22 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - Senate (82 - 13)
5/21 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Veto Override Passed - House (316 - 108)
5/15 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 15)
5/14 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 106)
12/14 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Bill Passed - Senate (79 - 14)
7/27 HR 2419 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill) Bill Passed - House (231 - 191)
12/07 PN 1396 Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Nomination Confirmed - Senate (80 - 11)
9/07 HR 503 Horse Slaughter Prohibition Bill Bill Passed - House (263 - 146)
8/03 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (56 - 42)
7/29 HR 5970 Death/Estate Tax and Minimum Wage Bill Bill Passed - House (230 - 180)
5/23 HR 5384 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (378 - 46)
3/08 HR 4167 National Uniformity for Food Act Bill Passed - House (283 - 139)
11/03 HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 18)
10/28 HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (318 - 63)
10/19 HR 554 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits Bill Passed - House (306 - 120)
9/22 HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - Senate (97 - 2)
6/08 HR 2744 Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Act Bill Passed - House (408 - 18)
3/10 HR 339 Food Industry Obesity Lawsuits (Cheeseburger Bill) Bill Passed - House (276 - 139)
5/08 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (64 - 35)
5/02 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (280 - 141)
2/13 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 40)
10/05 HR 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 Bill Passed - House (291 - 120)

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