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
June 27, 2015 PA HB 1192 Establishes State Budget for FY 2015-2016 Bill Passed - House (112 - 77)
June 26, 2015 OH HB 64 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 33)
June 16, 2015 National HR 2596 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
June 16, 2015 ME LD 319 Authorizes Medicaid Coverage for Reproductive Care Bill Passed - House (80 - 67)
June 12, 2015 FL HB 21-A Amends State Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
June 11, 2015 National HR 2685 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (278 - 149)
June 9, 2015 National HR 2577 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 Bill Passed - House (216 - 210)
June 5, 2015 FL SB 2-A Establishes the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program Bill Failed - House (41 - 72)
June 3, 2015 National HR 2578 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (242 - 183)
June 2, 2015 MI HB 4041 Amends Requirements to Receive Certain Assistance Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34)
June 2, 2015 CT HB 7061 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (73 - 70)
May 27, 2015 IL HB 4151 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
May 21, 2015 LA HB 1 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 37)
May 19, 2015 AL HB 135 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 36)
May 17, 2015 MN HF 844 Prohibits Students from Using Facilities Designated for the Opposite Sex Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 59)
May 15, 2015 National HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (269 - 151)
May 13, 2015 WI AB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
May 13, 2015 WI AB 192 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (63 - 32)
May 13, 2015 WI AB 177 Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
May 12, 2015 MO HB 150 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 53)
May 5, 2015 MO SB 24 Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits Veto Override Passed - House (113 - 42)
May 5, 2015 HI SB 1028 Appropriates Funds for the Hawaii Health Connector Conference Report Adopted - House (41 - 9)
May 1, 2015 National HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
April 29, 2015 IN HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 30)
April 27, 2015 ND HB 1033 Prohibits Legacy Fund Calculation in State Budget Drafts Veto Override Passed - House (67 - 23)
April 27, 2015 MT SB 416 Appropriates Funds for Infrastructure Projects Bill Failed - House (66 - 33)
April 21, 2015 MO HB 150 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 68)
April 21, 2015 MN HF 4 2015-2017 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (73 - 59)
April 16, 2015 MO SB 24 Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 36)
April 15, 2015 ND SB 2151 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
April 13, 2015 MD HB 70 2015-2016 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 49)
April 13, 2015 MD SB 183 Amends Funding for the Geographic Cost of Education Index Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
April 11, 2015 MT SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
April 1, 2015 NH HB 1 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (212 - 161)
March 31, 2015 NY S 4610 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
March 31, 2015 NY S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 55)
March 30, 2015 AR SB 600 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (69 - 14)
March 26, 2015 NJ A 939 Amends Tax Expenditure Report Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 31)
March 26, 2015 NJ S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
March 26, 2015 NJ A 4326 Requires Governor to Forecast State Revenue Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
March 26, 2015 MI HB 4041 Requires School Attendance to Receive Assistance Funds Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
March 25, 2015 KS HB 2095 Authorizes $1.5 Billion in Bonds to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - House (67 - 57)
March 25, 2015 KS HB 2095 Authorizes $1.5 Billion in Bonds to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - House (67 - 57)
March 24, 2015 IL HB 318 2015-2016 Budget Reconciliation Bill Passed - House (69 - 48)
March 24, 2015 IL HB 317 2015-2016 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
March 20, 2015 MT HB 2 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
March 18, 2015 MO SB 24 Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (115 - 44)
March 13, 2015 KS SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
March 12, 2015 AK HB 72 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (25 - 14)
March 10, 2015 IA HF 352 Requires State Agencies to Use a Zero-Base Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
March 6, 2015 WY SF 145 Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 15)
March 6, 2015 AR HJR 1003 Requests a Constitutional Convention Bill Passed - House (52 - 33)
March 5, 2015 NV SB 119 Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
March 4, 2015 WY SF 145 Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2015 National S J Res 35 Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 Bill Failed - House (203 - 224)
Feb. 26, 2015 AZ SB 1092 Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
Feb. 24, 2015 IA SF 171 Amends Growth Percentage for Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
Feb. 24, 2015 IN HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
Feb. 20, 2015 MT HB 200 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
Feb. 18, 2015 NH HB 677 Prohibits the Use of Public Funds for Abortion Services "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 142)
Feb. 4, 2015 MO HB 150 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (112 - 47)
Feb. 4, 2015 MO HB 259 Amends Dairy Industry Laws Bill Passed - House (110 - 49)
Jan. 14, 2015 National HR 240 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (236 - 191)
Dec. 4, 2014 OH HB 661 Increases Salaries of Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (56 - 26)
Dec. 3, 2014 MI HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35)
Dec. 3, 2014 MI SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (75 - 34)
Sept. 17, 2014 National H Amdt 1141 Authorizes Aid to Syrian Opposition Amendment Adopted - House (273 - 156)
Sept. 17, 2014 National H J Res 124 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 Joint Resolution Passed - House (319 - 108)
Sept. 17, 2014 National H J Res 124 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 Joint Resolution Passed - House (319 - 108)
Aug. 30, 2014 CA AB 1522 Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25)
Aug. 1, 2014 National HR 5230 Making Supplemental Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2014, and for Other Purposes Bill Passed - House (223 - 189)
July 16, 2014 National H Amdt 1083 Prohibits Federal Agencies from Paying Federal Employees Certain Pay Rates Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230)
July 16, 2014 National H Amdt 1098 Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181)
July 16, 2014 National H Amdt 1093 Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200)
July 16, 2014 National H Amdt 1083 Prohibits Federal Agencies from Paying Federal Employees Certain Pay Rates Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/27 HB 1192 Establishes State Budget for FY 2015-2016 Bill Passed - House (112 - 77)
6/26 HB 64 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 33)
6/16 HR 2596 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (247 - 178)
6/16 LD 319 Authorizes Medicaid Coverage for Reproductive Care Bill Passed - House (80 - 67)
6/12 HB 21-A Amends State Health Insurance Program Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
6/11 HR 2685 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (278 - 149)
6/09 HR 2577 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 Bill Passed - House (216 - 210)
6/05 SB 2-A Establishes the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program Bill Failed - House (41 - 72)
6/03 HR 2578 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (242 - 183)
6/02 HB 4041 Amends Requirements to Receive Certain Assistance Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34)
6/02 HB 7061 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (73 - 70)
5/27 HB 4151 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
5/21 HB 1 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 37)
5/19 HB 135 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 36)
5/17 HF 844 Prohibits Students from Using Facilities Designated for the Opposite Sex Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 59)
5/15 HR 1735 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 Bill Passed - House (269 - 151)
5/13 AB 191 Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
5/13 AB 192 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (63 - 32)
5/13 AB 177 Limits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Purchases Bill Passed - House (60 - 35)
5/12 HB 150 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Veto Override Passed - House (109 - 53)
5/05 SB 24 Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits Veto Override Passed - House (113 - 42)
5/05 SB 1028 Appropriates Funds for the Hawaii Health Connector Conference Report Adopted - House (41 - 9)
5/01 HR 2028 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 Bill Passed - House (240 - 177)
4/29 HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 30)
4/27 HB 1033 Prohibits Legacy Fund Calculation in State Budget Drafts Veto Override Passed - House (67 - 23)
4/27 SB 416 Appropriates Funds for Infrastructure Projects Bill Failed - House (66 - 33)
4/21 HB 150 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (88 - 68)
4/21 HF 4 2015-2017 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - House (73 - 59)
4/16 SB 24 Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits Conference Report Adopted - House (111 - 36)
4/15 SB 2151 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
4/13 HB 70 2015-2016 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 49)
4/13 SB 183 Amends Funding for the Geographic Cost of Education Index Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
4/11 SB 405 Expands Health Care Coverage Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
4/01 HB 1 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (212 - 161)
3/31 S 4610 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (99 - 47)
3/31 S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 55)
3/30 SB 600 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (69 - 14)
3/26 A 939 Amends Tax Expenditure Report Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 31)
3/26 S 2791 Environmental Protection Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (43 - 30)
3/26 A 4326 Requires Governor to Forecast State Revenue Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
3/26 HB 4041 Requires School Attendance to Receive Assistance Funds Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
3/25 HB 2095 Authorizes $1.5 Billion in Bonds to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - House (67 - 57)
3/25 HB 2095 Authorizes $1.5 Billion in Bonds to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Bill Passed - House (67 - 57)
3/24 HB 318 2015-2016 Budget Reconciliation Bill Passed - House (69 - 48)
3/24 HB 317 2015-2016 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (72 - 45)
3/20 HB 2 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (59 - 40)
3/18 SB 24 Reduces the Lifetime Limit for Certain Government Benefits Bill Passed - House (115 - 44)
3/13 SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
3/12 HB 72 2015-2016 Budget Bill Passed - House (25 - 14)
3/10 HF 352 Requires State Agencies to Use a Zero-Base Budget Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
3/06 SF 145 Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 15)
3/06 HJR 1003 Requests a Constitutional Convention Bill Passed - House (52 - 33)
3/05 SB 119 Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
3/04 SF 145 Appropriates Funds for Uncompensated Charity Care Bill Passed - House (50 - 9)
2/27 S J Res 35 Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 Bill Failed - House (203 - 224)
2/26 SB 1092 Requires Waivers for Certain Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
2/24 SF 171 Amends Growth Percentage for Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 44)
2/24 HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 29)
2/20 HB 200 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (55 - 45)
2/18 HB 677 Prohibits the Use of Public Funds for Abortion Services "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (216 - 142)
2/04 HB 150 Limits Duration of Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (112 - 47)
2/04 HB 259 Amends Dairy Industry Laws Bill Passed - House (110 - 49)
1/14 HR 240 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015 Bill Passed - House (236 - 191)
12/04 HB 661 Increases Salaries of Elected Officials Bill Passed - House (56 - 26)
12/03 HB 4118 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 35)
12/03 SB 275 Requires Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (75 - 34)
9/17 H Amdt 1141 Authorizes Aid to Syrian Opposition Amendment Adopted - House (273 - 156)
9/17 H J Res 124 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 Joint Resolution Passed - House (319 - 108)
9/17 H J Res 124 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 Joint Resolution Passed - House (319 - 108)
8/30 AB 1522 Requires Paid Sick Leave for Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 25)
8/01 HR 5230 Making Supplemental Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2014, and for Other Purposes Bill Passed - House (223 - 189)
7/16 H Amdt 1083 Prohibits Federal Agencies from Paying Federal Employees Certain Pay Rates Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230)
7/16 H Amdt 1098 Prohibits District of Columbia from Implementing Certain Firearm Laws Amendment Adopted - House (241 - 181)
7/16 H Amdt 1093 Prohibits Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from Preventing States from Implementing Broadband Internet Access Service Laws Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 200)
7/16 H Amdt 1083 Prohibits Federal Agencies from Paying Federal Employees Certain Pay Rates Amendment Rejected - House (193 - 230)

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