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 17, 2009 | OR | HB 3300 | Promoting Green Jobs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 16) |
| June 17, 2009 | OR | HB 3300 | Promoting Green Jobs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 16) |
| June 12, 2009 | OR | HB 3298 | Creating a Water Management Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| June 12, 2009 | OR | SB 76 | Klamath River Dams | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
| June 12, 2009 | OR | SB 76 | Klamath River Dams | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
| June 12, 2009 | OR | SB 76 | Klamath River Dams | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
| June 9, 2009 | WI | SB 107 | Electronics Sale and Disposal Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| June 9, 2009 | National | HR 2751 | Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act | Bill Passed - House (298 - 119) |
| June 8, 2009 | NY | A 1867 | Amending Labor Laws for Farm Workers | Bill Passed - House (86 - 58) |
| June 4, 2009 | RI | H 5336 | Coastal Resources Management Council | Bill Passed - House (60 - 8) |
| June 4, 2009 | RI | H 5336 | Coastal Resources Management Council | Bill Passed - House (60 - 8) |
| June 3, 2009 | CA | SB 458 | Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| June 3, 2009 | CA | AB 49 | Water Conservation Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| June 3, 2009 | CA | AB 49 | Water Conservation Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| June 3, 2009 | CA | SB 458 | Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| June 3, 2009 | CA | SB 229 | California Water Commission Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| June 3, 2009 | CA | SB 229 | California Water Commission Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| June 2, 2009 | WV | HB 103 | Alternative and Renewable Energy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25) |
| June 2, 2009 | WV | HB 103 | Alternative and Renewable Energy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25) |
| June 2, 2009 | CA | SB 250 | Requiring Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| June 1, 2009 | CA | AB 920 | Solar Power Energy Credit | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| June 1, 2009 | CA | AB 920 | Solar Power Energy Credit | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| June 1, 2009 | CA | SB 435 | Smog Check Requirements for Motorcycles | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| May 31, 2009 | IL | SB 1918 | Low-Income Energy Assistance | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 11) |
| May 21, 2009 | NJ | A 3372 | Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects | Bill Passed - House (54 - 22) |
| May 14, 2009 | CA | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 8, 2009 | KS | HB 2369 | Renewable Energy Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18) |
| May 8, 2009 | KS | HB 2369 | Renewable Energy Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18) |
| May 8, 2009 | OR | HB 2186 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| May 8, 2009 | OR | HB 2186 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| May 8, 2009 | MN | HF 1231 | 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget | Bill Passed - House (78 - 51) |
| May 7, 2009 | VT | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49) |
| May 7, 2009 | VT | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49) |
| May 6, 2009 | VT | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52) |
| May 5, 2009 | VT | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10) |
| May 5, 2009 | VT | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10) |
| May 1, 2009 | FL | SB 360 | Growth Management Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37) |
| May 1, 2009 | FL | SB 360 | Growth Management Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| May 1, 2009 | VT | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4) |
| April 30, 2009 | MN | Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72) | |
| April 30, 2009 | MN | Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72) | |
| April 29, 2009 | National | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (233 - 193) |
| April 29, 2009 | National | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43) |
| April 29, 2009 | CT | HB 6636 | Clean Energy Fund and Electricity Provider Bill | Bill Passed - House (104 - 38) |
| April 27, 2009 | FL | HB 1219 | Permitting Offshore Drilling | Bill Passed - House (70 - 43) |
| April 27, 2009 | FL | HB 1219 | Permitting Offshore Drilling | Bill Passed - House (70 - 43) |
| April 25, 2009 | WA | HB 1614 | Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| April 25, 2009 | WA | HB 1614 | Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| April 23, 2009 | CA | SB 789 | Amending Unionization Requirements for Agricultural Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| April 22, 2009 | OK | HB 1332 | Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| April 22, 2009 | VT | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - House (88 - 44) |
| April 22, 2009 | VT | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - House (88 - 44) |
| April 20, 2009 | CA | AJR 3 | Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling | Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25) |
| April 20, 2009 | CA | AJR 3 | Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling | Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Bill Passed - House (107 - 30) |
| April 13, 2009 | MD | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Bill Passed - House (107 - 30) |
| April 8, 2009 | ME | LD 67 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| April 7, 2009 | ID | H 138 | Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| April 7, 2009 | ID | H 138 | Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| April 7, 2009 | ID | H 276 | 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
| April 2, 2009 | MN | Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants | Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24) | |
| April 2, 2009 | MN | Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants | Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24) | |
| April 1, 2009 | MD | SB 844 | Public Service Commission Regulation of New Electric Generation Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| March 27, 2009 | VT | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| March 25, 2009 | National | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140) |
| March 25, 2009 | National | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140) |
| March 25, 2009 | PA | SB 490 | Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| March 20, 2009 | MT | HB 418 | Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| March 20, 2009 | KS | HB 2295 | Dairy Labeling Requirements | Bill Passed - House (75 - 44) |
| March 19, 2009 | National | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20) |
| March 19, 2009 | National | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20) |
| March 11, 2009 | National | S 22 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Failed - House (282 - 144) |
| March 11, 2009 | National | S 22 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Failed - House (282 - 144) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/17 | HB 3300 | Promoting Green Jobs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 16) |
| 6/17 | HB 3300 | Promoting Green Jobs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 16) |
| 6/12 | HB 3298 | Creating a Water Management Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| 6/12 | SB 76 | Klamath River Dams | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
| 6/12 | SB 76 | Klamath River Dams | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
| 6/12 | SB 76 | Klamath River Dams | Bill Passed - House (34 - 24) |
| 6/09 | SB 107 | Electronics Sale and Disposal Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| 6/09 | HR 2751 | Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act | Bill Passed - House (298 - 119) |
| 6/08 | A 1867 | Amending Labor Laws for Farm Workers | Bill Passed - House (86 - 58) |
| 6/04 | H 5336 | Coastal Resources Management Council | Bill Passed - House (60 - 8) |
| 6/04 | H 5336 | Coastal Resources Management Council | Bill Passed - House (60 - 8) |
| 6/03 | SB 458 | Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| 6/03 | AB 49 | Water Conservation Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| 6/03 | AB 49 | Water Conservation Requirements | Bill Passed - House (43 - 30) |
| 6/03 | SB 458 | Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| 6/03 | SB 229 | California Water Commission Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 6/03 | SB 229 | California Water Commission Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 6/02 | HB 103 | Alternative and Renewable Energy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25) |
| 6/02 | HB 103 | Alternative and Renewable Energy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 25) |
| 6/02 | SB 250 | Requiring Spaying and Neutering of Dogs and Cats | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| 6/01 | AB 920 | Solar Power Energy Credit | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| 6/01 | AB 920 | Solar Power Energy Credit | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
| 6/01 | SB 435 | Smog Check Requirements for Motorcycles | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 5/31 | SB 1918 | Low-Income Energy Assistance | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 11) |
| 5/21 | A 3372 | Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects | Bill Passed - House (54 - 22) |
| 5/14 | SB 4 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 5/08 | HB 2369 | Renewable Energy Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18) |
| 5/08 | HB 2369 | Renewable Energy Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 18) |
| 5/08 | HB 2186 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| 5/08 | HB 2186 | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
| 5/08 | HF 1231 | 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget | Bill Passed - House (78 - 51) |
| 5/07 | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49) |
| 5/07 | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49) |
| 5/06 | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52) |
| 5/05 | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10) |
| 5/05 | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10) |
| 5/01 | SB 360 | Growth Management Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37) |
| 5/01 | SB 360 | Growth Management Deregulation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| 5/01 | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 4) |
| 4/30 | Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72) | |
| 4/30 | Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction | Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72) | |
| 4/29 | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - House (233 - 193) |
| 4/29 | S Con Res 13 | 2010 Concurrent Budget Resolution | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (53 - 43) |
| 4/29 | HB 6636 | Clean Energy Fund and Electricity Provider Bill | Bill Passed - House (104 - 38) |
| 4/27 | HB 1219 | Permitting Offshore Drilling | Bill Passed - House (70 - 43) |
| 4/27 | HB 1219 | Permitting Offshore Drilling | Bill Passed - House (70 - 43) |
| 4/25 | HB 1614 | Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| 4/25 | HB 1614 | Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
| 4/23 | SB 789 | Amending Unionization Requirements for Agricultural Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| 4/22 | HB 1332 | Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
| 4/22 | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - House (88 - 44) |
| 4/22 | H 446 | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill Passed - House (88 - 44) |
| 4/20 | AJR 3 | Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling | Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25) |
| 4/20 | AJR 3 | Statement of Opposition to Offshore Drilling | Joint Resolution Passed - House (43 - 25) |
| 4/13 | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
| 4/13 | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 9) |
| 4/13 | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Bill Passed - House (107 - 30) |
| 4/13 | SB 278 | Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan | Bill Passed - House (107 - 30) |
| 4/08 | LD 67 | Prohibiting Smoking at State Park Beaches | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| 4/07 | H 138 | Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| 4/07 | H 138 | Allowing Lawsuits for Nonnative Species Attacks | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
| 4/07 | H 276 | 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
| 4/02 | Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants | Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24) | |
| 4/02 | Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plants | Amendment Adopted - Senate (42 - 24) | |
| 4/01 | SB 844 | Public Service Commission Regulation of New Electric Generation Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 19) |
| 3/27 | H 436 | Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Fund Amendments | Bill Passed - House (93 - 46) |
| 3/25 | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140) |
| 3/25 | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (285 - 140) |
| 3/25 | SB 490 | Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
| 3/20 | HB 418 | Amendments Regarding Horse Slaughterhouses | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23) |
| 3/20 | HB 2295 | Dairy Labeling Requirements | Bill Passed - House (75 - 44) |
| 3/19 | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20) |
| 3/19 | HR 146 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Passed - Senate (77 - 20) |
| 3/11 | S 22 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Failed - House (282 - 144) |
| 3/11 | S 22 | Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 | Bill Failed - House (282 - 144) |