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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2009 | CT | SB 1801 | Biennium Budget Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | S 702 | Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 3901 | Issuing Bonds for Conservation and Preservation Purposes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4100 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A4141 | Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4111 | State Employee Wage Increases | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| June 24, 2009 | MI | HB 4436 | 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| June 24, 2009 | NC | SB 943 | Expanding Production Company Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17) |
| June 24, 2009 | NH | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11) |
| 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 22, 2009 | LA | HB 877 | Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17) |
| June 19, 2009 | OR | SB 5520 | 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| June 18, 2009 | NJ | A 3101 | Creating Homelessness Trust Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| June 18, 2009 | MI | SB 248 | 2010 Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| June 17, 2009 | LA | HB 689 | Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| June 17, 2009 | WI | AB 75 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| June 16, 2009 | LA | HB 782 | Wireless Phone Card Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| June 15, 2009 | OR | HB 2672 | Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| June 11, 2009 | OR | HB 3405 | Corporate Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| June 11, 2009 | OR | HB 2649 | Income Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| June 11, 2009 | OR | HB 2116 | Changing Health Care Assessment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| June 10, 2009 | OR | HB 2834 | Funding School for Blind | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| June 5, 2009 | ME | LD 1088 | Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| June 4, 2009 | ME | LD 977 | Repealing School District Consolidation | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19) |
| June 3, 2009 | OH | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| June 3, 2009 | OR | HB 2067 | Expiration Dates for Tax Credits | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| June 3, 2009 | NY | A 8501 | Government Consolidation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16) |
| June 2, 2009 | VT | H 441 | 2009-2010 Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| June 2, 2009 | NC | SB 703 | Restrictions on the State Treasurer Regarding the State Pension Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| June 1, 2009 | NV | AB 458 | Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| May 31, 2009 | NV | AB 543 | Property Tax Reappropriation | Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
| May 30, 2009 | IL | HB 174 | Income Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 27) |
| May 30, 2009 | CT | HB 6582 | Healthcare Partnership | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| May 30, 2009 | CT | HB 6600 | SustiNet Health Insurance Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 29, 2009 | OR | HB 2001 | Transit and Gas Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| May 28, 2009 | LA | SB 296 | Retirement Debt Payment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| May 27, 2009 | MI | SB 585 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| May 27, 2009 | AZ | HB 2001 | Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| May 27, 2009 | MI | SB 587 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| May 21, 2009 | CT | SB 1167 | Deficit Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 20, 2009 | SC | H 3560 | 2009-2010 Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| May 20, 2009 | IL | HB 255 | Video Gambling in Various Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12) |
| May 15, 2009 | MO | HB 191 | Law Changes Regarding Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| May 13, 2009 | AZ | HB 2028 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| May 11, 2009 | MN | HF 1362 | Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18) |
| May 8, 2009 | HI | SB 1111 | Transient Accommodations Tax Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| May 8, 2009 | FL | SB 788 | Gambling Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9) |
| May 8, 2009 | MN | HF 885 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20) |
| May 8, 2009 | FL | SB 2600 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8) |
| May 8, 2009 | ID | H 376 | Transportation Funding Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| May 8, 2009 | ID | H 374 | Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| May 7, 2009 | MO | HB 11 | 2009-2010 Social Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 7) |
| May 7, 2009 | VT | H 441 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10) |
| May 7, 2009 | MO | HB 22 | Capital Improvements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| May 6, 2009 | CO | HB 1366 | Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 6, 2009 | PA | SB 850 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| May 5, 2009 | KS | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| May 4, 2009 | MN | SF 2081 | 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28) |
| May 1, 2009 | FL | HB 479 | Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| April 30, 2009 | FL | Amdt 626368 | Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line | Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23) |
| April 29, 2009 | National | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43) |
| April 29, 2009 | ND | SCR 4038 | Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| April 28, 2009 | MT | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23) |
| April 27, 2009 | MN | Ban on State Funds for Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39) | |
| April 25, 2009 | IA | SF 376 | Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| April 25, 2009 | IA | SF 477 | Appropriation Bonds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| April 25, 2009 | WA | HB 1244 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget and 2007-2009 Supplemental Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| April 24, 2009 | WA | SB 5768 | Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| April 22, 2009 | NC | SB 287 | State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
| April 22, 2009 | CO | SB 259 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12) |
| April 21, 2009 | ID | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| April 20, 2009 | MN | Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41) | |
| April 20, 2009 | MN | SF 802 | 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/25 | SB 1801 | Biennium Budget Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 6/25 | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 6/25 | S 702 | Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| 6/25 | A 3901 | Issuing Bonds for Conservation and Preservation Purposes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 6/25 | A 4100 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 6/25 | A4141 | Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
| 6/25 | A 4111 | State Employee Wage Increases | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 6/24 | HB 4436 | 2009-2010 Department of Community Health Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 6/24 | SB 943 | Expanding Production Company Tax Credit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 17) |
| 6/24 | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 11) |
| 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) |
| 6/22 | HB 877 | Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17) |
| 6/19 | SB 5520 | 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| 6/18 | A 3101 | Creating Homelessness Trust Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7) |
| 6/18 | SB 248 | 2010 Human Services Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| 6/17 | HB 689 | Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| 6/17 | AB 75 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16) |
| 6/16 | HB 782 | Wireless Phone Card Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| 6/15 | HB 2672 | Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
| 6/11 | HB 3405 | Corporate Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 6/11 | HB 2649 | Income Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
| 6/11 | HB 2116 | Changing Health Care Assessment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| 6/10 | HB 2834 | Funding School for Blind | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| 6/05 | LD 1088 | Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| 6/04 | LD 977 | Repealing School District Consolidation | "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19) |
| 6/03 | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11) |
| 6/03 | HB 2067 | Expiration Dates for Tax Credits | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| 6/03 | A 8501 | Government Consolidation Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16) |
| 6/02 | H 441 | 2009-2010 Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| 6/02 | SB 703 | Restrictions on the State Treasurer Regarding the State Pension Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12) |
| 6/01 | AB 458 | Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account | Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| 5/31 | AB 543 | Property Tax Reappropriation | Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6) |
| 5/30 | HB 174 | Income Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 27) |
| 5/30 | HB 6582 | Healthcare Partnership | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 5/30 | HB 6600 | SustiNet Health Insurance Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/29 | HB 2001 | Transit and Gas Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| 5/28 | SB 296 | Retirement Debt Payment | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10) |
| 5/27 | SB 585 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 5/27 | HB 2001 | Scholarships for Disabled or Displaced Students | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11) |
| 5/27 | SB 587 | Cobo Convention Center | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16) |
| 5/21 | SB 1167 | Deficit Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 5/20 | H 3560 | 2009-2010 Budget | Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 11) |
| 5/20 | HB 255 | Video Gambling in Various Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12) |
| 5/15 | HB 191 | Law Changes Regarding Taxation | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 5/13 | HB 2028 | 2008-2009 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 8) |
| 5/11 | HF 1362 | Health Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 18) |
| 5/08 | SB 1111 | Transient Accommodations Tax Increase | Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 6) |
| 5/08 | SB 788 | Gambling Expansion | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 9) |
| 5/08 | HF 885 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (44 - 20) |
| 5/08 | SB 2600 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 8) |
| 5/08 | H 376 | Transportation Funding Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
| 5/08 | H 374 | Allowing Diversion of Funds to Virtual Education | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| 5/07 | HB 11 | 2009-2010 Social Services Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 5/07 | H 441 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10) |
| 5/07 | HB 22 | Capital Improvements | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| 5/06 | HB 1366 | Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 5/06 | SB 850 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20) |
| 5/05 | HB 2373 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| 5/04 | SF 2081 | 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28) |
| 5/01 | HB 479 | Amendments Regarding Public Employee Retirement | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| 4/30 | Amdt 626368 | Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line | Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23) |
| 4/29 | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43) |
| 4/29 | SCR 4038 | Creating a Public Health Investment Trust Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 23) |
| 4/28 | HB 2 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 4/27 | Ban on State Funds for Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39) | |
| 4/25 | SF 376 | Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 18) |
| 4/25 | SF 477 | Appropriation Bonds | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 18) |
| 4/25 | HB 1244 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget and 2007-2009 Supplemental Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
| 4/24 | SB 5768 | Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 9) |
| 4/22 | SB 287 | State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 19) |
| 4/22 | SB 259 | 2009-2010 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 12) |
| 4/21 | H 262 | Teacher Compensation Adjustments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| 4/20 | Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks | Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41) | |
| 4/20 | SF 802 | 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31) |