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 20, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 22)
March 20, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 22)
March 18, 2013 MN HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 28)
March 13, 2013 OH HB 51 Establishes Transportation Appropriations and Highway Speed Limit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 13, 2013 National S Amdt 30 To Prohibit the Use of Funds to Carry Out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 52)
March 13, 2013 WA SB 5802 Authorizes a Carbon Emissions Reduction Study Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
March 7, 2013 MN HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
March 7, 2013 CA SB 1-1 Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
March 5, 2013 HI SB 69 Requires Background Checks at Gun Registration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
Feb. 28, 2013 AL HB 84 Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2013 IL SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2013 IL SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2013 NC SB 4 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 23, 2013 VA HB 2313 Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2013 ND SB 2267 Appropriates Funding for School Safety Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Feb. 20, 2013 KS SCR 1608 Authorizes the Legislature To Have Sole Authority on School Funding Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2013 MT SB 81 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donations to Educational Charities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2013 IA SF 161 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2013 VA HB 2313 Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Jan. 31, 2013 National HR 325 No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 34)
Jan. 28, 2013 National HR 152 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
Sept. 22, 2012 National H J Res 117 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 30)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Aug. 15, 2012 MI SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
July 18, 2012 MI SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
July 6, 2012 CA SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
July 2, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 10)
June 29, 2012 PA SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
June 29, 2012 PA HB 1261 Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
June 21, 2012 NC HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 15)
June 20, 2012 National S Amdt 2454 Prohibits Food Aid to North Korea Unless Waived by President Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 40)
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 2174 Limits Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
June 15, 2012 CA AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
June 13, 2012 National S Amdt 2392 Reduces Funding for Food Stamps Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 33)
June 13, 2012 DE SB 204 Extends the Gun Buy-back Program Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 13)
June 11, 2012 RI H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
June 6, 2012 NH CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
June 5, 2012 PA SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
May 31, 2012 MI HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (33 - 21)
May 31, 2012 IL HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
May 24, 2012 IL SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
May 22, 2012 OK SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
May 17, 2012 MI SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
May 16, 2012 AL HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 6)
May 15, 2012 MD SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
May 8, 2012 IA SF 2344 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
May 7, 2012 MN HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
April 25, 2012 National S 1789 United States Postal Service Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
April 24, 2012 AZ HB 2800 Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
April 12, 2012 IA S 5206 Prohibits State Funding For Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 25)
April 11, 2012 WA SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
April 10, 2012 WA SB 6378 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 10, 2012 CO SB 68 Prohibits Food with Trans Fat in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 9, 2012 AK SB 203 Establishes an Energy Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
April 7, 2012 WA SB 6636 Requires a Balanced Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
March 29, 2012 GA HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
March 28, 2012 AZ HB 2519 Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
March 28, 2012 ID H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 26, 2012 GA HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
March 21, 2012 AZ HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
March 19, 2012 MN HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 12)
March 14, 2012 NY S 6735 Amends the Public Employee Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
March 9, 2012 FL HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 7, 2012 GA SB 312 Require Development Activities for Certain Public Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
March 5, 2012 WY HB 82 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
March 1, 2012 AZ SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Feb. 29, 2012 CO HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/20 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 22)
3/20 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 22)
3/18 HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 28)
3/13 HB 51 Establishes Transportation Appropriations and Highway Speed Limit Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/13 S Amdt 30 To Prohibit the Use of Funds to Carry Out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Amendment Rejected - Senate (45 - 52)
3/13 SB 5802 Authorizes a Carbon Emissions Reduction Study Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
3/07 HF 5 Establishes the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 28)
3/07 SB 1-1 Expands Eligibility for Medi-Cal Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
3/05 SB 69 Requires Background Checks at Gun Registration Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 3)
2/28 HB 84 Authorizes Schools to Apply for Waivers from State Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 11)
2/28 SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
2/28 SB 26 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 19)
2/26 SB 4 Prohibits Medicaid Expansion Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 16)
2/23 HB 2313 Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
2/20 SB 2267 Appropriates Funding for School Safety Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
2/20 SCR 1608 Authorizes the Legislature To Have Sole Authority on School Funding Amendment Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
2/16 SB 81 Establishes Tax Deductions for Donations to Educational Charities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 20)
2/14 SF 161 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 22)
2/13 HB 2313 Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
1/31 HR 325 No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (64 - 34)
1/28 HR 152 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 36)
9/22 H J Res 117 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (62 - 30)
8/30 AB 1478 Appropriates Funds for State Parks for 2 Years Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/22 AB 1640 Expands Cash Assistance Programs for Pregnant Teenagers Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
8/15 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
7/18 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (16 - 22)
7/06 SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
7/02 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 10)
6/29 SB 1466 2012-2013 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
6/29 HB 1261 Repeals the General Assistance Cash Program Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
6/21 HB 950 2012-2013 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 15)
6/20 S Amdt 2454 Prohibits Food Aid to North Korea Unless Waived by President Amendment Adopted - Senate (59 - 40)
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 2174 Limits Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Amendment Rejected - Senate (43 - 56)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
6/15 AB 1464 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
6/13 S Amdt 2392 Reduces Funding for Food Stamps Amendment Tabled - Senate (65 - 33)
6/13 SB 204 Extends the Gun Buy-back Program Bill Failed - Senate (8 - 13)
6/11 H 7323 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
6/06 CACR 6 Requires a Supermajority for Budget Increases Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 9)
6/06 CACR 12 Legislative Authority of Education Requirements Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 6)
6/05 SB 1310 Authorizes Repayment of Unemployment Debt to the Federal Government Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 19)
5/31 HB 5365 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
5/31 SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (33 - 21)
5/31 HB 5440 Establishes a 5 Percent Fee on Satellite TV Companies Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 27)
5/24 SB 2840 Limits Medicaid Funding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 13)
5/22 SB 1975 2012-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
5/17 SB 1040 Amends Teacher Pension Plans Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
5/16 HB 433 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 6)
5/15 SB 1301 Amends Teacher Pension Funding Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
5/08 SF 2344 Reduces Certain Business Property Taxes Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 23)
5/07 HF 1752 Authorizes Bonds for Construction Works Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 22)
4/25 S 1789 United States Postal Service Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (62 - 37)
4/24 HB 2800 Prohibits State Funding for Abortion Providers Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8)
4/12 S 5206 Prohibits State Funding For Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (22 - 25)
4/11 SB 5940 Amends Public School Employees Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
4/10 SB 6378 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/10 SB 68 Prohibits Food with Trans Fat in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/09 SB 203 Establishes an Energy Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
4/07 SB 6636 Requires a Balanced Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
3/29 HB 347 Reduces Unemployment Benefits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 17)
3/28 HB 2519 Expands the Requirements for Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
3/28 H 695 Establishes a Legislative Legal Defense Fund Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/26 HB 797 Establishes a State Charter School Commission Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 14)
3/21 HB 2862 Appropriates Funds for Independent Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
3/19 HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 12)
3/14 S 6735 Amends the Public Employee Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
3/09 HB 5001 2012-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8)
3/09 HB 859 School Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/07 SB 312 Require Development Activities for Certain Public Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
3/05 HB 82 Requires Drug Testing of Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 17)
3/01 SB 1083 Establishes the Arizona Special Missions Unit Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
2/29 HB 1301 Authorizes Legislative Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)

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