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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 23, 2010 | NJ | A 2740 | Requiring Review of New Drivers' Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| Aug. 5, 2010 | National | HR 1586 | Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (61 - 39) |
| Aug. 3, 2010 | NY | S 8129B | Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9) |
| July 31, 2010 | MA | H 5000 | Gambling Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15) |
| July 29, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4519 | Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
| July 15, 2010 | National | HR 4173 | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
| July 15, 2010 | National | HR 4173 | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
| July 8, 2010 | NJ | S 29 | Reducing the property tax levy cap | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 3) |
| July 7, 2010 | NC | SB 1015 | Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| July 7, 2010 | NC | HB 1726 | Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
| July 1, 2010 | MA | H 4619 | Gambling Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| June 29, 2010 | PA | SR 348 | Audit of Methadone Treatment Programs & Medical Assistance Transportation Program | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | A 3009 | Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 2036 | Offshore Wind Economic Development Act | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 2105 | Delaying the Effective Date of the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 2090 | Car Inspection Waiver | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 2094 | Limiting State Alternate Benefit Program for Higher Education Faculty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| June 28, 2010 | NJ | S 29 | Reducing the property tax levy cap | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| June 21, 2010 | NY | A 9705 | 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| June 21, 2010 | CT | HB 5455 | Changes to State Transportation Plan | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| June 21, 2010 | CT | HB 5236 | Concerning Off-Track Betting Branch Facilities | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| June 21, 2010 | NY | A 9709 | Omnibus Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| June 21, 2010 | NJ | SCR 108 | Appeal to Governor Against Joining Federal Health Care Lawsuit | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| June 18, 2010 | LA | HB 1171 | Performance Agreements for Colleges and Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| June 16, 2010 | LA | HB 1339 | Increasing Driving Restrictions on Class E License Holders | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| June 16, 2010 | NY | S 2165B | Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| June 16, 2010 | MI | SR 158 | Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| June 15, 2010 | NY | S 5620 | Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
| June 14, 2010 | LA | HB 303 | Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| June 10, 2010 | RI | H 8094 | Education Funding Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| June 8, 2010 | LA | SB 432 | Oil and Gas Processing Tax | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (6 - 31) |
| June 7, 2010 | NY | S 8089 | Emergency Appropriation Extension | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1475 | Penalties for Using a Cell Phone While Driving or Riding a Bicycle | Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1264 | Airline Passenger Rights | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 933 | Prohibiting Debit Card Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1163 | Denials of Health Care Coverage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 12) |
| June 3, 2010 | CA | SB 1121 | Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 1088 | Young Adults Health insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 1399 | Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 880 | Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 880 | Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| June 1, 2010 | CA | SB 900 | Health Benefits Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 28, 2010 | NY | A 11310 | Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 14) |
| May 27, 2010 | National | S Amdt 4204 | Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80) |
| May 27, 2010 | National | HR 4899 | Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28) |
| May 27, 2010 | NC | SB 704 | School Change Models | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| May 27, 2010 | CA | SB 1255 | Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| May 27, 2010 | CA | SB 1255 | Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| May 26, 2010 | LA | HB 1033 | Evaluation and Assessment Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| May 26, 2010 | LA | Amdt 4002 | Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation | Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/23 | A 2740 | Requiring Review of New Drivers' Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| 8/05 | HR 1586 | Aid To States for Medicaid, Teacher Employment, and Other Purposes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (61 - 39) |
| 8/03 | S 8129B | Suspending Hydraulic Fracturing for the Extraction of Natural Gas | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 9) |
| 7/31 | H 5000 | Gambling Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 7/29 | S Amdt 4519 | Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (58 - 42) |
| 7/15 | HR 4173 | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
| 7/15 | HR 4173 | Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (60 - 39) |
| 7/08 | S 29 | Reducing the property tax levy cap | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 3) |
| 7/07 | SB 1015 | Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| 7/07 | HB 1726 | Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
| 7/01 | H 4619 | Gambling Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 6/29 | SR 348 | Audit of Methadone Treatment Programs & Medical Assistance Transportation Program | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 6/28 | A 3009 | Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 6/28 | S 2036 | Offshore Wind Economic Development Act | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| 6/28 | S 2105 | Delaying the Effective Date of the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5) |
| 6/28 | S 2090 | Car Inspection Waiver | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 6/28 | S 2094 | Limiting State Alternate Benefit Program for Higher Education Faculty | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 6/28 | S 29 | Reducing the property tax levy cap | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
| 6/21 | A 9705 | 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| 6/21 | HB 5455 | Changes to State Transportation Plan | Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
| 6/21 | HB 5236 | Concerning Off-Track Betting Branch Facilities | Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| 6/21 | A 9709 | Omnibus Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| 6/21 | SCR 108 | Appeal to Governor Against Joining Federal Health Care Lawsuit | Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 6/18 | HB 1171 | Performance Agreements for Colleges and Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| 6/16 | HB 1339 | Increasing Driving Restrictions on Class E License Holders | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 6/16 | S 2165B | Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29) |
| 6/16 | SR 158 | Oil Spill Prevention Plans for Dairy Farmers | Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| 6/15 | S 5620 | Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18) |
| 6/14 | HB 303 | Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10) |
| 6/10 | H 8094 | Education Funding Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| 6/08 | SB 432 | Oil and Gas Processing Tax | Joint Resolution Failed - Senate (6 - 31) |
| 6/07 | S 8089 | Emergency Appropriation Extension | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26) |
| 6/03 | SB 1475 | Penalties for Using a Cell Phone While Driving or Riding a Bicycle | Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 6/03 | SB 1264 | Airline Passenger Rights | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| 6/03 | SB 933 | Prohibiting Debit Card Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| 6/03 | SB 1163 | Denials of Health Care Coverage | Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 6/03 | SB 1121 | Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 6/02 | SB 1088 | Young Adults Health insurance Coverage | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 6/02 | SB 1399 | Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 6/01 | SB 880 | Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 6/01 | SB 880 | Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 6/01 | SB 900 | Health Benefits Exchange | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 5/28 | A 11310 | Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 14) |
| 5/27 | S Amdt 4204 | Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable | Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80) |
| 5/27 | HR 4899 | Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28) |
| 5/27 | SB 704 | School Change Models | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 5/27 | SB 1255 | Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| 5/27 | SB 1255 | Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11) |
| 5/26 | HB 1033 | Evaluation and Assessment Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 5/26 | Amdt 4002 | Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation | Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |