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 13, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 17)
March 13, 2014 OK HJR 1092 Authorizes School Districts to Issue Bonds for Improvements in Building Safety Amendment Adopted - House (65 - 28)
March 13, 2014 KY HB 235 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
March 13, 2014 OK HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 31)
March 11, 2014 OK HB 2630 Amends State Employee Retirement Plans Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
March 10, 2014 UT HJR 8 Requests a National Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41)
March 6, 2014 AZ HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
March 4, 2014 AR SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (76 - 24)
March 3, 2014 WY HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
March 3, 2014 WY HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
March 3, 2014 GA HB 772 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
March 3, 2014 GA HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
Feb. 24, 2014 TN HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
Feb. 11, 2014 National S 540 Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 201)
Feb. 7, 2014 NM HB 2 2014-2015 Budget Bill Failed - House (34 - 34)
Feb. 6, 2014 VA HJ 9 Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67)
Feb. 4, 2014 IL SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
Jan. 28, 2014 MD SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
Jan. 28, 2014 National HR 7 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 188)
Jan. 15, 2014 National HR 3547 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (359 - 67)
Jan. 15, 2014 SC H 3147 Expands Workers' Compensation for Certain Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
Jan. 8, 2014 NH HB 544 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (182 - 154)
Dec. 12, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (332 - 94)
Oct. 30, 2013 National H J Res 99 Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 191)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
Oct. 16, 2013 National HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
Oct. 11, 2013 National H J Res 76 National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - House (248 - 176)
Oct. 10, 2013 National H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
Oct. 9, 2013 National H J Res 90 Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172)
Oct. 8, 2013 National H J Res 84 Head Start Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (248 - 168)
Oct. 7, 2013 National H J Res 77 Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162)
Oct. 4, 2013 National H J Res 75 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (244 - 164)
Oct. 4, 2013 National H J Res 75 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (244 - 164)
Oct. 4, 2013 National H J Res 85 Federal Emergency Management Agency Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (247 - 164)
Oct. 3, 2013 National HR 3230 Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act Bill Passed - House (265 - 160)
Oct. 1, 2013 National H J Res 71 District of Columbia Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (265 - 163)
Oct. 1, 2013 National H J Res 70 National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176)
Oct. 1, 2013 National H J Res 72 Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (264 - 164)
Sept. 30, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 201)
Sept. 29, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (248 - 174)
Sept. 20, 2013 National HR 1526 Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
Sept. 20, 2013 National H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (230 - 189)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
Sept. 12, 2013 National HR 2775 No Subsidies Without Verification Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
Sept. 12, 2013 National HR 2775 No Subsidies Without Verification Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
Sept. 3, 2013 MI HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 32)
July 24, 2013 NC SB 402 2013-2015 Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 53)
July 24, 2013 NC HB 392 Authorizes Drug Testing for Work First Program Applicants Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 21)
July 24, 2013 National HR 2397 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 109)
July 1, 2013 PA HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94)
June 28, 2013 National HR 2231 Offshore Energy and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
June 20, 2013 National H Amdt 231 Authorizes States to Require Federal Welfare Work Requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 198)
June 20, 2013 National H Amdt 227 Amends the Federal Sugar Program Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221)
June 20, 2013 National HR 1947 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Failed - House (195 - 234)
June 20, 2013 National HR 1947 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Failed - House (195 - 234)
June 19, 2013 National H Amdt 176 Restores $20.5 Billion in Appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Rejected - House (188 - 234)
June 19, 2013 National H Amdt 176 Restores $20.5 Billion in Appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Rejected - House (188 - 234)
June 18, 2013 WI AB 40 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
June 13, 2013 AZ HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24)
June 13, 2013 MI HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (76 - 31)
June 6, 2013 National HR 2217 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
May 28, 2013 MI HB 4228 2013-2014 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 43)
May 27, 2013 IL SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (63 - 55)
May 27, 2013 IL SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (63 - 55)
May 26, 2013 TX SB 1 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (118 - 29)
May 23, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17)
May 23, 2013 IA SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17)
May 22, 2013 ME LD 1546 Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds Bill Passed - House (87 - 56)
May 22, 2013 ME LD 1546 Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds Bill Passed - House (87 - 56)
May 21, 2013 KS HB 2162 Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28)
May 18, 2013 MN HF 630 2013-2015 Biennium K-12 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 56)
May 17, 2013 MN SF 1236 Increases Funds for Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 56)
May 17, 2013 MN HF 1233 2013-2015 Biennium Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 61)
May 17, 2013 MN HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - House (69 - 62)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/13 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 17)
3/13 HJR 1092 Authorizes School Districts to Issue Bonds for Improvements in Building Safety Amendment Adopted - House (65 - 28)
3/13 HB 235 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
3/13 HJR 1033 Authorizes Bonds for Capitol Repairs Joint Resolution Passed - House (59 - 31)
3/11 HB 2630 Amends State Employee Retirement Plans Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
3/10 HJR 8 Requests a National Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (32 - 41)
3/06 HB 2367 Establishes Work Requirements for Certain Medicaid Recipients Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
3/04 SB 111 2014-2015 Department of Human Services Budget Bill Passed - House (76 - 24)
3/03 HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
3/03 HB 1 2014-2016 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (44 - 16)
3/03 HB 772 Requires Drug Testing For Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (107 - 66)
3/03 HB 990 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion without Legislative Approval Bill Passed - House (118 - 57)
2/24 HB 937 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Bill Passed - House (69 - 24)
2/11 S 540 Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act Bill Passed - House (221 - 201)
2/07 HB 2 2014-2015 Budget Bill Failed - House (34 - 34)
2/06 HJ 9 Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67)
2/04 SB 1227 Extends the Date for the Governor to Submit the State Budget Bill Passed - House (62 - 48)
1/28 SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
1/28 HB 1351 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - House (71 - 22)
1/28 HR 7 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act Bill Passed - House (227 - 188)
1/15 HR 3547 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (359 - 67)
1/15 H 3147 Expands Workers' Compensation for Certain Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
1/08 HB 544 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (182 - 154)
12/12 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (332 - 94)
10/30 H J Res 99 Disapproval of the President's Exercise of Authority to Suspend the Debt Limit Joint Resolution Passed - House (222 - 191)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
10/16 HR 2775 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 144)
10/11 H J Res 76 National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - House (248 - 176)
10/10 H J Res 79 Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (249 - 175)
10/09 H J Res 90 Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172)
10/08 H J Res 84 Head Start Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (248 - 168)
10/07 H J Res 77 Food and Drug Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (235 - 162)
10/04 H J Res 75 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (244 - 164)
10/04 H J Res 75 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (244 - 164)
10/04 H J Res 85 Federal Emergency Management Agency Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (247 - 164)
10/03 HR 3230 Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act Bill Passed - House (265 - 160)
10/01 H J Res 71 District of Columbia Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (265 - 163)
10/01 H J Res 70 National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (252 - 176)
10/01 H J Res 72 Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Failed - House (264 - 164)
9/30 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (228 - 201)
9/29 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (248 - 174)
9/20 HR 1526 Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act Bill Passed - House (244 - 173)
9/20 H J Res 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (230 - 189)
9/12 SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
9/12 HR 2775 No Subsidies Without Verification Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
9/12 HR 2775 No Subsidies Without Verification Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 191)
9/03 HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 32)
7/24 SB 402 2013-2015 Supplemental Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 53)
7/24 HB 392 Authorizes Drug Testing for Work First Program Applicants Conference Report Adopted - House (92 - 21)
7/24 HR 2397 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 Bill Passed - House (315 - 109)
7/01 HB 1075 Amends Public Welfare Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 94)
6/28 HR 2231 Offshore Energy and Jobs Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 186)
6/20 H Amdt 231 Authorizes States to Require Federal Welfare Work Requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Adopted - House (227 - 198)
6/20 H Amdt 227 Amends the Federal Sugar Program Amendment Rejected - House (206 - 221)
6/20 HR 1947 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Failed - House (195 - 234)
6/20 HR 1947 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Bill Failed - House (195 - 234)
6/19 H Amdt 176 Restores $20.5 Billion in Appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Rejected - House (188 - 234)
6/19 H Amdt 176 Restores $20.5 Billion in Appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Amendment Rejected - House (188 - 234)
6/18 AB 40 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (55 - 42)
6/13 HB 2608 Amends Retirement Plans for Elected Officials Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 24)
6/13 HB 4714 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (76 - 31)
6/06 HR 2217 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014 Bill Passed - House (245 - 182)
5/28 HB 4228 2013-2014 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 43)
5/27 SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (63 - 55)
5/27 SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (63 - 55)
5/26 SB 1 2013-2015 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (118 - 29)
5/23 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17)
5/23 SF 446 2013-2014 Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (80 - 17)
5/22 LD 1546 Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds Bill Passed - House (87 - 56)
5/22 LD 1546 Expands Medicaid and Authorizes Liquor Operation Bonds Bill Passed - House (87 - 56)
5/21 HB 2162 Prohibits State Funds from Being Used to Lobby for Firearm Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 28)
5/18 HF 630 2013-2015 Biennium K-12 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (78 - 56)
5/17 SF 1236 Increases Funds for Higher Education Conference Report Adopted - House (76 - 56)
5/17 HF 1233 2013-2015 Biennium Health and Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 61)
5/17 HF 1823 Establishes Council to Review Legislative Pay Changes Amendment Adopted - House (69 - 62)

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