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. 14, 2013 VT S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
Feb. 14, 2013 IL SB 622 Increases Physician License Fees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Feb. 14, 2013 KY SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 13, 2013 VA HB 2313 Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 13, 2013 VT Galbraith and Hartwell Amdt Establishes Immunity for Doctors Prescribing or People Present to Lethal Dosage Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
Feb. 13, 2013 KY SB 9 Establishes Review Panels to Assess Nursing Home Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 11, 2013 TN SB 142 Authorizes Handguns in Parking Areas Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
Feb. 11, 2013 IN SJR 7 Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Feb. 8, 2013 KY SB 5 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Feb. 8, 2013 MD SB 74 Prohibits Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
Feb. 6, 2013 SD SB 107 Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 6, 2013 SD SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA SB 975 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Jan. 31, 2013 AR SB 134 Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Jan. 31, 2013 VA SB 975 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Jan. 30, 2013 IA SF 52 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Jan. 22, 2013 VA SB 736 Prohibits Opening a Vehicle Door Adjacent to a Lane of Traffic Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Dec. 28, 2012 National HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23)
Dec. 21, 2012 National HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 14)
Dec. 13, 2012 OH HB 495 Amends Definition of Loaded Gun Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Dec. 4, 2012 IL SB 957 Authorizes Temporary Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14)
Nov. 30, 2012 National S Amdt 3025 Requires Sufficient Sizing of Civilian and Contract Services Workforces Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 53)
Nov. 29, 2012 NJ S 2241 Prohibits Unauthorized Medical Provider Reimbursement Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
Nov. 29, 2012 National S Amdt 3245 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo Bay Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41)
Nov. 29, 2012 National S Amdt 3058 Expands TRICARE Coverage of Autism Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 29)
Nov. 29, 2012 National S Amdt 3096 Accelerated Transition of US Military Operations to the Government of Afghanistan Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 33)
Nov. 28, 2012 National S Amdt 2985 Repeals the Limit on the Use of Funds to Procure Alternative Fuel Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37)
Nov. 28, 2012 National S Amdt 2985 Repeals the Limit on the Use of Funds to Procure Alternative Fuel Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37)
Nov. 28, 2012 National S Amdt 3095 Repeals the Prohibition on Biofuel Refinery Construction Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41)
Nov. 14, 2012 National S 3414 Cybersecurity Act of 2012 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
Oct. 25, 2012 NJ S 2157 Establishes Residential Foreclosure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
Oct. 25, 2012 NJ S 1650 Increases Requirements for Emergency Medical Service Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Oct. 25, 2012 NJ S 2202 Requires the HMFA to Expand Participation in the New Jersey HomeKeeper Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Oct. 17, 2012 MI SB 1294 Requires Blue Cross Blue Shield to Begin Paying State Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Oct. 4, 2012 NJ S 1761 Requires more Transparancy and Accountability from Port Authority Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 15)
Oct. 4, 2012 NJ S 2135 Establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Aug. 30, 2012 CA ACR 161 Establishes September as "Food Literacy Awareness Month" Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Aug. 29, 2012 CA AB 2189 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Individuals Ineligible for a Social Security Number Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 22, 2012 CA AB 2109 Requires Parents to Obtain a Waiver for Unvaccinated Children Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Aug. 20, 2012 CA AB 1313 Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
Aug. 2, 2012 National S 3414 Cybersecurity Act of 2012 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
July 18, 2012 MI SB 1130 Amends Permit Requirements for Sand Dune Use Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
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 CA SB 900 Establishes Regulations for Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
July 2, 2012 CA SB 900 Establishes Regulations for Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
July 2, 2012 CA AB 278 Establishes Regulations for Foreclosure Procedures on Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
July 2, 2012 CA AB 278 Establishes Regulations for Foreclosure Procedures on Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
June 29, 2012 PA HB 254 Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/14 S 77 Prohibits Liability for Self-Administered Lethal Dosages Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
2/14 SB 622 Increases Physician License Fees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
2/14 SB 50 Authorizes Industrial Hemp Farming Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/13 HB 2313 Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
2/13 Galbraith and Hartwell Amdt Establishes Immunity for Doctors Prescribing or People Present to Lethal Dosage Amendment Adopted - Senate (16 - 15)
2/13 SB 9 Establishes Review Panels to Assess Nursing Home Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/11 SB 142 Authorizes Handguns in Parking Areas Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
2/11 SJR 7 Guarantees Right to Hunt and Fish Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
2/08 SB 5 Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
2/08 SB 74 Prohibits Operating a Vessel Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 8)
2/06 SB 107 Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/06 SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
1/31 SB 975 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
1/31 SB 134 Prohibits an Abortion if a Fetal Heartbeat is Detected Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
1/31 SB 975 Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
1/30 SF 52 Establishes the School Budget Growth for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
1/22 SB 736 Prohibits Opening a Vehicle Door Adjacent to a Lane of Traffic Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
12/28 HR 5949 FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012 Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 23)
12/21 HR 4310 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (81 - 14)
12/13 HB 495 Amends Definition of Loaded Gun Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
12/04 SB 957 Authorizes Temporary Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14)
11/30 S Amdt 3025 Requires Sufficient Sizing of Civilian and Contract Services Workforces Amendment Rejected - Senate (41 - 53)
11/29 S 2241 Prohibits Unauthorized Medical Provider Reimbursement Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 5)
11/29 S Amdt 3245 Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo Bay Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41)
11/29 S Amdt 3058 Expands TRICARE Coverage of Autism Amendment Adopted - Senate (66 - 29)
11/29 S Amdt 3096 Accelerated Transition of US Military Operations to the Government of Afghanistan Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 33)
11/28 S Amdt 2985 Repeals the Limit on the Use of Funds to Procure Alternative Fuel Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37)
11/28 S Amdt 2985 Repeals the Limit on the Use of Funds to Procure Alternative Fuel Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 37)
11/28 S Amdt 3095 Repeals the Prohibition on Biofuel Refinery Construction Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 41)
11/14 S 3414 Cybersecurity Act of 2012 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (51 - 47)
10/25 S 2157 Establishes Residential Foreclosure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
10/25 S 1650 Increases Requirements for Emergency Medical Service Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
10/25 S 2202 Requires the HMFA to Expand Participation in the New Jersey HomeKeeper Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
10/17 SB 1294 Requires Blue Cross Blue Shield to Begin Paying State Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
10/04 S 1761 Requires more Transparancy and Accountability from Port Authority Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 15)
10/04 S 2135 Establishes the New Jersey Health Benefit Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
8/30 SB 1172 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
8/30 ACR 161 Establishes September as "Food Literacy Awareness Month" Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
8/29 AB 2189 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Individuals Ineligible for a Social Security Number Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
8/22 AB 472 Authorizes Immunity for Reporting Drug Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/22 AB 2109 Requires Parents to Obtain a Waiver for Unvaccinated Children Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
8/20 AB 1313 Requires Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
8/02 S 3414 Cybersecurity Act of 2012 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (52 - 46)
7/18 SB 1130 Amends Permit Requirements for Sand Dune Use Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13)
7/06 SB 1029 Authorizes the Sale of State Bonds for a High-Speed Rail Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
7/02 SB 900 Establishes Regulations for Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
7/02 SB 900 Establishes Regulations for Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
7/02 AB 278 Establishes Regulations for Foreclosure Procedures on Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
7/02 AB 278 Establishes Regulations for Foreclosure Procedures on Home Loans Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
6/29 HB 254 Expands Use of Red-Light Cameras Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 15)

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