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. 15, 2011 PA HB 262 New Gaming Unit in the Office of Attorney General Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
Feb. 15, 2011 AR SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
Feb. 15, 2011 National H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
Feb. 11, 2011 KS HCR 5007 Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
Feb. 10, 2011 ND HB 1278 Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
Feb. 9, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (27 - 32)
Feb. 9, 2011 ND HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
Feb. 9, 2011 GA HB 72 Establish an English-Only Driving Test Bill Tabled - House (115 - 50)
Feb. 9, 2011 WY HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
Feb. 8, 2011 CT HB 6308 Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Failed - House (47 - 44)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
Feb. 8, 2011 WY HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
Feb. 8, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
Feb. 8, 2011 ND HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
Feb. 8, 2011 MT HB 30 Health Care Sharing Ministries Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
Feb. 7, 2011 ID HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 7, 2011 MT HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Feb. 7, 2011 MT HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
Feb. 4, 2011 WV HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
Feb. 3, 2011 WY HB 188 Legalizes Casual Poker Games Bill Failed - House (22 - 38)
Feb. 3, 2011 UT HB 223 Innkeeper's Rights Act Modification Bill Failed - House (22 - 48)
Feb. 2, 2011 NC HB 2 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
Feb. 2, 2011 IA HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 2, 2011 WY HB 186 Wyoming Lottery Bill Failed - House (27 - 33)
Feb. 1, 2011 VA HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
Feb. 1, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
Feb. 1, 2011 WY HB 35 Health Care Choice and Protection Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 14)
Jan. 31, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
Jan. 31, 2011 IN HB 1018 Ban on Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
Jan. 26, 2011 WY HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
Jan. 26, 2011 WY HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
Jan. 25, 2011 WY HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
Jan. 25, 2011 AZ HB 2534 Annexation of Land by Cities and Towns Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
Jan. 20, 2011 AZ SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
Jan. 20, 2011 WI SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
Jan. 19, 2011 National HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
Jan. 18, 2011 MS HB 455 Payday Lending Provisions Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
Jan. 11, 2011 IL SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Bill Passed - House (60 - 57)
Jan. 11, 2011 MO HR 39 Attorney General Challenge of the Federal Health Care Law Resolution Passed - House (115 - 46)
Jan. 10, 2011 NJ S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
Dec. 22, 2010 National HR 847 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 60)
Dec. 21, 2010 National HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
Dec. 17, 2010 National HR 5510 Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act Bill Failed - House (210 - 145)
Dec. 16, 2010 National H Amdt 786 Amending the Estate Tax Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
Dec. 13, 2010 NJ S 1 Low-Income Housing Amendments and Abolishing the Council on Affordable Housing Bill Passed - House (43 - 32)
Nov. 29, 2010 NY S 8129B Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
Nov. 22, 2010 NJ ACR 151 Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (165 - 31)
Sept. 30, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
Sept. 29, 2010 PA SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
Sept. 23, 2010 National HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (237 - 187)
Sept. 21, 2010 MI SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
Sept. 15, 2010 MI SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 482 Prohibiting Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 18)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 25, 2010 MI HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
Aug. 12, 2010 CA SB 933 Prohibiting Debit Card Fees Bill Passed - House (45 - 24)
Aug. 10, 2010 National HR 1586 Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (247 - 161)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
July 30, 2010 National HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
July 28, 2010 MI HB 6151 Transportation Law Amendments ("Complete Streets" Policy) Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 21)
July 28, 2010 National HR 5827 Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes Bill Passed - House (307 - 113)
July 27, 2010 National HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (308 - 114)
July 27, 2010 National H Con Res 301 Directing the President to Remove Armed Forces from Pakistan Joint Resolution Failed - House (38 - 372)
July 15, 2010 National HR 5114 Flood Insurance Program Extension Bill Passed - House (329 - 90)
July 12, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1829 Renewable Energy Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 19)
July 8, 2010 NC HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 8)
July 7, 2010 NC HB 80 Banning Electronic Sweepstakes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 27)
July 6, 2010 NC SB 1015 Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
July 1, 2010 National HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Failed - House (162 - 260)
July 1, 2010 National HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Failed - House (100 - 321)
July 1, 2010 National H Res 1500 Deeming Supplemental Military Appropriations Passed and Allowing Divided Question Bill Passed - House (215 - 210)
July 1, 2010 CA SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
July 1, 2010 PA HB 67 Driving Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (71 - 126)
June 30, 2010 National HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
June 30, 2010 National HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
June 29, 2010 NC SB 1216 Extending the Emergency Foreclosure Program Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 2036 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 6)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
June 29, 2010 NY S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 2090 Car Inspection Waiver Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 2094 Limiting State Alternate Benefit Program for Higher Education Faculty Bill Passed - House (41 - 36)
June 28, 2010 NC HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 23, 2010 PA HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
June 21, 2010 CT HB 5236 Concerning Off-Track Betting Branch Facilities Veto Override Passed - House (110 - 28)
June 21, 2010 NJ A 2740 Requiring Review of New Drivers' Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 21)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/15 HB 262 New Gaming Unit in the Office of Attorney General Bill Passed - House (126 - 72)
2/15 SB 154 Cell Phones in School Zones Bill Passed - House (52 - 41)
2/15 H Amdt 13 Reducing Navy and Air Force Aircraft Procurement Amendment Rejected - House (105 - 326)
2/11 HCR 5007 Prohibiting Mandated Health Insurance Bill Passed - House (91 - 27)
2/10 HB 1278 Fees for Traffic Violations Bill Passed - House (51 - 42)
2/09 HB 256 Tenant Rights in Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Bill Passed - House (33 - 26)
2/09 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/09 HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (27 - 32)
2/09 HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Passed - House (56 - 37)
2/09 HB 72 Establish an English-Only Driving Test Bill Tabled - House (115 - 50)
2/09 HB 207 Allowing Guns in Cars While Parked at Work Bill Passed - House (36 - 23)
2/08 HB 6308 Establishes the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership
2/08 HB 1190 Prohibits Distracted Driving Bill Failed - House (47 - 44)
2/08 HB 204 Patriotism in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (52 - 5)
2/08 HB 191 Wind Power Tax Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
2/08 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
2/08 HB 1195 Bans Texting While Driving Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
2/08 HB 30 Health Care Sharing Ministries Bill Passed - House (68 - 32)
2/07 HJM 1 Parental Rights Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/07 HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
2/07 HB 198 Eminent Domain Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (69 - 30)
2/04 HB 2562 Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passed - House (55 - 37)
2/03 HB 188 Legalizes Casual Poker Games Bill Failed - House (22 - 38)
2/03 HB 223 Innkeeper's Rights Act Modification Bill Failed - House (22 - 48)
2/02 HB 2 Prohibits Enforcement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bill Passed - House (66 - 50)
2/02 HF 111 Purchase of Health Care Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/02 HB 186 Wyoming Lottery Bill Failed - House (27 - 33)
2/01 HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
2/01 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
2/01 HB 35 Health Care Choice and Protection Act Bill Passed - House (44 - 14)
1/31 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Failed - House (46 - 47)
1/31 HB 1018 Ban on Smoking in Public Places Bill Passed - House (68 - 31)
1/26 HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
1/26 HB 29 Mandatory Testing for Suspected DUI Offenders Bill Passed - House (35 - 23)
1/25 HB 31 Electronic Wagering Bill Failed - House (29 - 29)
1/25 HB 2534 Annexation of Land by Cities and Towns Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
1/20 SB 1001 Request for Medicaid Waiver Bill Passed - House (40 - 20)
1/20 SB 2 Tax Benefits for Health Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (66 - 28)
1/19 HR 2 Repealing the Health Care Bill Bill Passed - House (245 - 189)
1/18 HB 455 Payday Lending Provisions Bill Passed - House (79 - 37)
1/11 SB 2505 Amends Property Tax Code Bill Passed - House (60 - 57)
1/11 HR 39 Attorney General Challenge of the Federal Health Care Law Resolution Passed - House (115 - 46)
1/10 S 2381 Electric Generation Facilities Pilot Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 15)
12/22 HR 847 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 60)
12/21 HR 3082 Continuing Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 165)
12/17 HR 5510 Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act Bill Failed - House (210 - 145)
12/16 H Amdt 786 Amending the Estate Tax Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
12/13 S 1 Low-Income Housing Amendments and Abolishing the Council on Affordable Housing Bill Passed - House (43 - 32)
11/29 S 8129B Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas Bill Passed - House (93 - 43)
11/22 ACR 151 Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
11/15 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
11/15 HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (165 - 31)
9/30 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
9/29 SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
9/23 HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (237 - 187)
9/21 SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
9/16 HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
9/16 HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
9/16 HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
9/15 SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
8/31 AB 482 Prohibiting Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 30)
8/31 AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 18)
8/26 AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
8/26 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/26 SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/25 HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
8/12 SB 933 Prohibiting Debit Card Fees Bill Passed - House (45 - 24)
8/10 HR 1586 Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (247 - 161)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (117 - 36)
7/30 HR 3534 Offshore Drilling Regulations and Other Energy Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (209 - 193)
7/28 HB 6151 Transportation Law Amendments ("Complete Streets" Policy) Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 21)
7/28 HR 5827 Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes Bill Passed - House (307 - 113)
7/27 HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (308 - 114)
7/27 H Con Res 301 Directing the President to Remove Armed Forces from Pakistan Joint Resolution Failed - House (38 - 372)
7/15 HR 5114 Flood Insurance Program Extension Bill Passed - House (329 - 90)
7/12 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
7/10 HB 1829 Renewable Energy Incentives Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 19)
7/08 HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 8)
7/07 HB 80 Banning Electronic Sweepstakes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 27)
7/06 SB 1015 Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
7/01 HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Failed - House (162 - 260)
7/01 HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes Concurrence Vote Failed - House (100 - 321)
7/01 H Res 1500 Deeming Supplemental Military Appropriations Passed and Allowing Divided Question Bill Passed - House (215 - 210)
7/01 SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
7/01 HB 67 Driving Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (71 - 126)
6/30 HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
6/30 HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
6/29 SB 1216 Extending the Emergency Foreclosure Program Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
6/29 S 2036 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act Bill Passed - House (71 - 6)
6/29 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
6/29 S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
6/28 S 2090 Car Inspection Waiver Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/28 S 2094 Limiting State Alternate Benefit Program for Higher Education Faculty Bill Passed - House (41 - 36)
6/28 HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/23 HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
6/21 HB 5236 Concerning Off-Track Betting Branch Facilities Veto Override Passed - House (110 - 28)
6/21 A 2740 Requiring Review of New Drivers' Program Bill Passed - House (57 - 21)
6/20 HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
6/20 HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)

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