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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 19 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 14 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 15 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| July 23, 2009 | NC | HB 524 | Changing Local Annexation Laws | Bill Passed - House (83 - 31) |
| July 20, 2009 | CT | HB 6600 | SustiNet Health Insurance Plan | Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| July 20, 2009 | CT | HB 6502 | Concerning Standard Wage for Certain Workers | Veto Override Passed - House (106 - 35) |
| July 20, 2009 | CT | HB 6582 | Healthcare Partnership | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| July 20, 2009 | CT | HB 6582 | Healthcare Partnership | Veto Override Passed - House (105 - 37) |
| July 20, 2009 | CT | HB 6600 | SustiNet Health Insurance Plan | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| July 15, 2009 | NC | HB 1185 | Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29) |
| July 15, 2009 | NC | HB 1305 | Beach Plan Changes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 23) |
| July 14, 2009 | PA | HB 264 | Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records | Bill Passed - House (104 - 91) |
| July 13, 2009 | OH | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15) |
| July 13, 2009 | OH | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44) |
| July 8, 2009 | National | S Amdt 1399 | Requiring Completion of Reinforced Border Fencing | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| July 1, 2009 | AZ | SB 1175 | Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 11) |
| June 30, 2009 | CA | SB 74 | Deferring Education Funding (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| June 30, 2009 | CA | SB 80 | Shifting Redevelopment Agency Funds (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| June 30, 2009 | CA | SB 64 | Education Spending Reductions (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| June 29, 2009 | OR | SB 767 | Virtual Charter Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 29) |
| June 29, 2009 | PA | HB 1 | Expanding Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (104 - 96) |
| June 29, 2009 | DE | SB 169 | Health Clinic Access | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3) |
| June 29, 2009 | PA | HB 746 | Children's Health Care Insurance | Bill Passed - House (106 - 94) |
| June 29, 2009 | OR | SB 528 | Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| June 29, 2009 | AZ | SB 1175 | Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions | Bill Passed - House (35 - 19) |
| June 27, 2009 | OR | SB 767 | Virtual Charter Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 14) |
| June 27, 2009 | OR | HB 3508 | Implementing Measure 57 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| June 26, 2009 | OR | HB 3508 | Implementing Measure 57 | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | S 1175 | Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | S 1880 | Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 26) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A4141 | Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts | Bill Passed - House (63 - 14) |
| June 25, 2009 | OR | SB 528 | Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A4141 | Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 25, 2009 | MI | HB 4787 | Restructure and Redefine Failing Schools | Bill Passed - House (70 - 38) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | S 702 | Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| June 24, 2009 | MI | HB 4436 | 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| June 24, 2009 | NC | HB 442 | Regulating the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| June 24, 2009 | MI | HB 4476 | Health Insurance for Autism | Bill Passed - House (83 - 25) |
| June 24, 2009 | MI | HB 4183 | Health Insurance for Autism | Bill Passed - House (84 - 25) |
| June 24, 2009 | MI | HB 4447 | 2009-2010 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| June 23, 2009 | MI | HB 4441 | 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| June 23, 2009 | NC | SB 526 | Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 57) |
| June 22, 2009 | AZ | SB 1440 | Smoking in Cars with Minors | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20) |
| June 22, 2009 | LA | HB 877 | Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17) |
| June 22, 2009 | AZ | HCR 2019 | Ends Affirmative Action | Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11) |
| June 22, 2009 | OR | SB 5520 | 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
| June 22, 2009 | CA | AB 761 | Mobile Home Rent Control | Bill Failed - House (38 - 27) |
| June 19, 2009 | OR | SB 5520 | 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| June 18, 2009 | NJ | S 1880 | Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| June 18, 2009 | LA | HB 531 | Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| June 18, 2009 | TN | SB 2133 | Charter School Access Expansion | Bill Passed - House (79 - 15) |
| June 18, 2009 | AZ | HCR 2019 | Ends Affirmative Action | Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18) |
| June 17, 2009 | LA | HB 689 | Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| June 17, 2009 | NY | A 8903-A | Extending City Board Jurisdiction Over New York City Schools | Bill Passed - House (129 - 18) |
| June 16, 2009 | RI | H 5359 | Medical Marijuana | Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
| June 16, 2009 | LA | HB 11 | Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers | Bill Failed - House (68 - 23) |
| June 16, 2009 | TN | SB 162 | Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| June 16, 2009 | LA | HB 495 | Aiken Optional School | Bill Passed - House (72 - 23) |
| June 15, 2009 | LA | HB 889 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (45 - 55) |
| June 15, 2009 | LA | HB 504 | Jefferson Parish School Board Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| June 15, 2009 | OR | HB 2672 | Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| June 12, 2009 | ME | LD 977 | Repealing School District Consolidation | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69) |
| June 11, 2009 | ME | LD 1259 | Menu Labeling | Bill Passed - House (85 - 59) |
| June 11, 2009 | ME | LD 1259 | Menu Labeling | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| June 11, 2009 | OR | HB 2116 | Changing Health Care Assessment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| June 11, 2009 | OR | HB 2009 | Establishing the Oregon Health Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| June 10, 2009 | OR | HB 2834 | Funding School for Blind | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| June 9, 2009 | RI | H 6088 | Limiting Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (35 - 33) |
| June 9, 2009 | ME | LD 285 | Delay of School District Consolidation Penalties | Bill Passed - House (110 - 36) |
| June 9, 2009 | LA | HB 877 | Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District | Bill Passed - House (53 - 28) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/24 | ABX4 19 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 14 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 15 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| 7/24 | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| 7/23 | HB 524 | Changing Local Annexation Laws | Bill Passed - House (83 - 31) |
| 7/20 | HB 6600 | SustiNet Health Insurance Plan | Veto Override Passed - House (102 - 40) |
| 7/20 | HB 6502 | Concerning Standard Wage for Certain Workers | Veto Override Passed - House (106 - 35) |
| 7/20 | HB 6582 | Healthcare Partnership | Veto Override Failed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 7/20 | HB 6582 | Healthcare Partnership | Veto Override Passed - House (105 - 37) |
| 7/20 | HB 6600 | SustiNet Health Insurance Plan | Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 7/15 | HB 1185 | Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29) |
| 7/15 | HB 1305 | Beach Plan Changes | Bill Passed - House (93 - 23) |
| 7/14 | HB 264 | Expungement of Criminal Records and Juvenile Records | Bill Passed - House (104 - 91) |
| 7/13 | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15) |
| 7/13 | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44) |
| 7/08 | S Amdt 1399 | Requiring Completion of Reinforced Border Fencing | Amendment Adopted - Senate (54 - 44) |
| 7/01 | SB 1175 | Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 11) |
| 6/30 | SB 74 | Deferring Education Funding (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| 6/30 | SB 80 | Shifting Redevelopment Agency Funds (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| 6/30 | SB 64 | Education Spending Reductions (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| 6/29 | SB 767 | Virtual Charter Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (31 - 29) |
| 6/29 | HB 1 | Expanding Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (104 - 96) |
| 6/29 | SB 169 | Health Clinic Access | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 3) |
| 6/29 | HB 746 | Children's Health Care Insurance | Bill Passed - House (106 - 94) |
| 6/29 | SB 528 | Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas | Bill Passed - House (31 - 29) |
| 6/29 | SB 1175 | Prohibiting Non-Physicians from Performing Abortions | Bill Passed - House (35 - 19) |
| 6/27 | SB 767 | Virtual Charter Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 14) |
| 6/27 | HB 3508 | Implementing Measure 57 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 6/26 | HB 3508 | Implementing Measure 57 | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| 6/25 | S 1175 | Requiring an After School Activity Plan for School Districts with At-Risk Pupils | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 18) |
| 6/25 | S 1880 | Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 26) |
| 6/25 | A4141 | Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts | Bill Passed - House (63 - 14) |
| 6/25 | SB 528 | Prohibition on Field Burning in Certain Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| 6/25 | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
| 6/25 | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - House (50 - 27) |
| 6/25 | A4141 | Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 6/25 | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 6/25 | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 6/25 | HB 4787 | Restructure and Redefine Failing Schools | Bill Passed - House (70 - 38) |
| 6/25 | S 702 | Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| 6/24 | HB 4436 | 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 6/24 | HB 442 | Regulating the Use of Corporal Punishment in Schools | Bill Failed - Senate (21 - 25) |
| 6/24 | HB 4476 | Health Insurance for Autism | Bill Passed - House (83 - 25) |
| 6/24 | HB 4183 | Health Insurance for Autism | Bill Passed - House (84 - 25) |
| 6/24 | HB 4447 | 2009-2010 Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| 6/23 | HB 4441 | 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
| 6/23 | SB 526 | Prevention of Bullying and Violence in Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 57) |
| 6/22 | SB 1440 | Smoking in Cars with Minors | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 20) |
| 6/22 | HB 877 | Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17) |
| 6/22 | HCR 2019 | Ends Affirmative Action | Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 6/22 | SB 5520 | 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 17) |
| 6/22 | AB 761 | Mobile Home Rent Control | Bill Failed - House (38 - 27) |
| 6/19 | SB 5520 | 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| 6/18 | S 1880 | Establishing Criminal Sentencing Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
| 6/18 | HB 531 | Allowing Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 6/18 | SB 2133 | Charter School Access Expansion | Bill Passed - House (79 - 15) |
| 6/18 | HCR 2019 | Ends Affirmative Action | Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18) |
| 6/17 | HB 689 | Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| 6/17 | A 8903-A | Extending City Board Jurisdiction Over New York City Schools | Bill Passed - House (129 - 18) |
| 6/16 | H 5359 | Medical Marijuana | Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 3) |
| 6/16 | HB 11 | Designating Driver's Licenses for Drug Dealers | Bill Failed - House (68 - 23) |
| 6/16 | SB 162 | Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
| 6/16 | HB 495 | Aiken Optional School | Bill Passed - House (72 - 23) |
| 6/15 | HB 889 | Tobacco Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (45 - 55) |
| 6/15 | HB 504 | Jefferson Parish School Board Elections | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| 6/15 | HB 2672 | Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 6/12 | LD 977 | Repealing School District Consolidation | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69) |
| 6/11 | LD 1259 | Menu Labeling | Bill Passed - House (85 - 59) |
| 6/11 | LD 1259 | Menu Labeling | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| 6/11 | HB 2116 | Changing Health Care Assessment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| 6/11 | HB 2009 | Establishing the Oregon Health Authority | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| 6/10 | HB 2834 | Funding School for Blind | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 6/09 | H 6088 | Limiting Alcohol Sales | Bill Passed - House (35 - 33) |
| 6/09 | LD 285 | Delay of School District Consolidation Penalties | Bill Passed - House (110 - 36) |
| 6/09 | HB 877 | Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District | Bill Passed - House (53 - 28) |