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
Feb. 11, 2014 AL SB 168 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
Feb. 11, 2014 UT HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
Feb. 10, 2014 SD HB 1158 Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 6, 2014 MD SB 263 Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
Feb. 4, 2014 National HR 2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 32)
Feb. 4, 2014 NE LB 399 Authorizes Crime Prevention Vehicles to Use Amber Lights Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (32 - 12)
Feb. 4, 2014 IN SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
Feb. 3, 2014 IN SB 340 Amends Customer Participation Requirements in Certain Energy Efficiency Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Jan. 30, 2014 IN SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
Jan. 30, 2014 SD HJR 1001 Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 30)
Jan. 30, 2014 VA HB 63 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
Jan. 30, 2014 National S 1926 Delays the Implementation of Certain Provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and Amends the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
Jan. 29, 2014 National HR 2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 166)
Jan. 29, 2014 IN HB 1205 Establishes Civil Proceeding Advance Payment Transactions Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
Jan. 28, 2014 MD SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
Jan. 28, 2014 IN HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
Jan. 23, 2014 IN SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
Jan. 21, 2014 AL HB 31 Authorizes Health Care Providers to Abstain from Certain Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
Jan. 16, 2014 IN HB 1004 Establishes Preschool Scholarship System for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (87 - 9)
Jan. 13, 2014 PA HB 1411 Requires Schools To Make Their Expenses Public Bill Passed - House (119 - 81)
Jan. 8, 2014 NH HB 544 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (182 - 154)
Dec. 12, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 12, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - House (87 - 22)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI HB 4369 Expands the Education Achievement Authority Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
Dec. 11, 2013 National HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
Dec. 11, 2013 MI Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
Dec. 3, 2013 IL SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
Nov. 21, 2013 National S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 503 Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 507 Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 498 Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 499 Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228)
Nov. 20, 2013 National H Amdt 504 Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226)
Nov. 20, 2013 National HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
Nov. 20, 2013 National HR 2728 Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 187)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Nov. 13, 2013 MI SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Oct. 30, 2013 National HR 992 Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (292 - 122)
Oct. 29, 2013 National HR 2374 Retail Investor Protection Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 166)
Oct. 11, 2013 National H J Res 76 National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - House (248 - 176)
Oct. 9, 2013 National H J Res 90 Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172)
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)
Sept. 18, 2013 National H Amdt 466 Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235)
Sept. 18, 2013 National H Amdt 463 Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241)
Sept. 18, 2013 National HR 761 National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (246 - 178)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
Sept. 12, 2013 CA AB 60 Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/11 SB 168 Prohibits Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
2/11 HB 96 Establishes a School Readiness Board Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
2/10 HB 1158 Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/06 SB 263 Amends Baltimore's Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 6)
2/04 HR 2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (68 - 32)
2/04 LB 399 Authorizes Crime Prevention Vehicles to Use Amber Lights Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (32 - 12)
2/04 SB 176 Authorizes Funding for a Mass Transit System Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
2/03 SB 340 Amends Customer Participation Requirements in Certain Energy Efficiency Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
1/30 SB 339 Authorizes the Sale of Alcohol at the Indiana State Fair Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
1/30 HJR 1001 Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 30)
1/30 HB 63 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs Bill Passed - House (60 - 39)
1/30 S 1926 Delays the Implementation of Certain Provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and Amends the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 32)
1/29 HR 2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (251 - 166)
1/29 HB 1205 Establishes Civil Proceeding Advance Payment Transactions Bill Passed - House (57 - 39)
1/28 SB 134 Amends the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (94 - 42)
1/28 HB 1036 Expands Voucher Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Bill Passed - House (71 - 24)
1/23 SB 50 Prohibits the Use Of Tanning Facilities By Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 17)
1/21 HB 31 Authorizes Health Care Providers to Abstain from Certain Medical Procedures Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
1/16 HB 1004 Establishes Preschool Scholarship System for Certain Individuals Bill Passed - House (87 - 9)
1/13 HB 1411 Requires Schools To Make Their Expenses Public Bill Passed - House (119 - 81)
1/08 HB 544 Expands Medicaid Eligibility Bill Passed - House (182 - 154)
12/12 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/12 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - House (87 - 22)
12/11 HB 4369 Expands the Education Achievement Authority Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
12/11 Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
12/11 HR 2019 Kids First Research Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (295 - 103)
12/11 Initiation of Legislation Requires Abortion Coverage To Be Optional In Health Care Plans Bill Passed - House (62 - 47)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53)
12/03 SB 1 Amends State Employee Pension Plans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24)
11/21 S 1197 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 44)
11/20 H Amdt 503 Requires a Report on the Effect of Flooding on Oil and Gas Facilities Amendment Rejected - House (202 - 221)
11/20 H Amdt 507 Specifies the Authority of the Secretary of Interior on the Regulation of Methane Emissions Amendment Rejected - House (190 - 230)
11/20 H Amdt 498 Specifies That Certain Fees Do Not Limit the Right to Petition Amendment Rejected - House (199 - 222)
11/20 H Amdt 499 Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Require Certain Findings for Categorical Exclusions Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 228)
11/20 H Amdt 504 Appropriates $10 Million to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Amendment Rejected - House (195 - 226)
11/20 HR 1965 Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (228 - 192)
11/20 HR 2728 Protecting States' Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act Bill Passed - House (235 - 187)
11/13 SB 660 Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
11/13 SB 2 Authorizes Certain Nurses to Prescribe Controlled Substances Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
10/30 HR 992 Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act Bill Passed - House (292 - 122)
10/29 HR 2374 Retail Investor Protection Act Bill Passed - House (254 - 166)
10/11 H J Res 76 National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill Passed - House (248 - 176)
10/09 H J Res 90 Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Joint Resolution Passed - House (252 - 172)
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)
9/18 H Amdt 466 Requires Mine Operators to Include the Cost of Cleanup in Financial Insurance Amendment Rejected - House (191 - 235)
9/18 H Amdt 463 Amends the Definition of "Strategic and Critical Minerals" Amendment Rejected - House (187 - 241)
9/18 HR 761 National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013 Bill Passed - House (246 - 178)
9/12 SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
9/12 SB 359 Appropriates Funds for Hybrid and Zero Emission Vehicle Use Bill Passed - House (53 - 20)
9/12 AB 60 Authorizes Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 21)

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