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
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4111 State Employee Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
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 - House (63 - 14)
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 4100 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
June 24, 2009 LA SB 278 Governor Records Disclosed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
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 DE HB 198 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (23 - 12)
June 24, 2009 RI H 5983 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 5)
June 24, 2009 NH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (202 - 183)
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 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 16)
June 23, 2009 MI HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
June 22, 2009 LA Amendment # B-483 Shortening the Period Before Budget Records are Public Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 54)
June 22, 2009 LA Amendment # B-483 Shortening the Period Before Budget Records are Public Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 54)
June 22, 2009 LA Amendment # B-480 Making Records of the Governor Public Amendment Rejected - House (47 - 50)
June 22, 2009 LA SB 278 Governor Records Disclosed Bill Passed - House (62 - 41)
June 22, 2009 LA SB 1 Increasing Amount of Allowed Budget Cuts Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
June 22, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
June 22, 2009 LA HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
June 22, 2009 OR SB 5520 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
June 21, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
June 19, 2009 OR SB 5520 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
June 19, 2009 CT SB 2001 Employment and Training Funds for Disadvantaged Workers Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
June 18, 2009 MI SB 293 Hire Michigan First Plan Bill Passed - House (74 - 35)
June 18, 2009 MI SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
June 18, 2009 MI SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
June 18, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
June 18, 2009 AZ HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
June 18, 2009 RI H 5569 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (28 - 45)
June 18, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
June 18, 2009 MI HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
June 18, 2009 MI SB 248 2010 Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
June 18, 2009 TN HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 14)
June 17, 2009 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
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 SC S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
June 16, 2009 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
June 16, 2009 TN SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 16, 2009 TN SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 15, 2009 OR HB 2005 Petition Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 15, 2009 LA HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
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 15, 2009 LA HB 889 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (45 - 55)
June 13, 2009 NC SB 202 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
June 12, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
June 12, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
June 12, 2009 OR SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
June 11, 2009 OR HB 2067 Expiration Dates for Tax Credits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 24)
June 11, 2009 OR HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 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 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
June 10, 2009 OR HB 2834 Funding School for Blind Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
June 9, 2009 LA HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Passed - House (53 - 28)
June 9, 2009 DE HB 117 School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
June 9, 2009 DE HB 117 School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
June 9, 2009 LA HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
June 9, 2009 OR HB 2649 Income Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
June 9, 2009 OR HB 3405 Corporate Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
June 8, 2009 OR HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
June 8, 2009 LA HB 316 Property Tax Exemption Joint Resolution Failed - House (30 - 63)
June 5, 2009 ME LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
June 5, 2009 ME LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (84 - 54)
June 4, 2009 ME LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
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 3, 2009 NY A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
June 3, 2009 LA HB 243 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions Bill Failed - House (38 - 60)
June 3, 2009 CA AB 155 Local Government Bankruptcy Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
June 2, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
June 2, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 50)
June 2, 2009 NC SB 703 Restrictions on the State Treasurer Regarding the State Pension Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
June 2, 2009 WV HB 102 Racetrack Table Games Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
June 2, 2009 CT SB 913 Elections to Fill US Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - House (107 - 37)
June 2, 2009 CT SB 913 Elections to Fill US Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - House (107 - 37)
June 1, 2009 NY A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - House (118 - 26)
June 1, 2009 NV SB 52 New Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
June 1, 2009 NY A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - House (118 - 26)
June 1, 2009 NV AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
June 1, 2009 TN HJR 369 Opposing the Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
May 31, 2009 TX SB 956 Establishing a Public Law School in Dallas Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 24)
May 31, 2009 IL HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 46)
May 31, 2009 IL SB 2252 Temporary Income Tax Increase and Tax Credit for Green Businesses Bill Failed - House (42 - 74)
May 31, 2009 NV AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 31, 2009 NV AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
May 31, 2009 WV HB 2010 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 12)
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 30, 2009 NV AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Passed - House (36 - 5)
May 30, 2009 IL HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/25 A 4111 State Employee Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (47 - 29)
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 - House (63 - 14)
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 4100 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (45 - 34)
6/24 SB 278 Governor Records Disclosed Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
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 198 National Popular Vote Bill Passed - House (23 - 12)
6/24 H 5983 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 5)
6/24 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (202 - 183)
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 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 16)
6/23 HB 4441 2009-2010 Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
6/22 Amendment # B-483 Shortening the Period Before Budget Records are Public Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 54)
6/22 Amendment # B-483 Shortening the Period Before Budget Records are Public Amendment Rejected - House (48 - 54)
6/22 Amendment # B-480 Making Records of the Governor Public Amendment Rejected - House (47 - 50)
6/22 SB 278 Governor Records Disclosed Bill Passed - House (62 - 41)
6/22 SB 1 Increasing Amount of Allowed Budget Cuts Bill Passed - House (71 - 28)
6/22 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - Senate (17 - 11)
6/22 HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 17)
6/22 SB 5520 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 17)
6/21 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
6/19 SB 5520 2009-2011 Supplemental Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6)
6/19 SB 2001 Employment and Training Funds for Disadvantaged Workers Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
6/18 SB 293 Hire Michigan First Plan Bill Passed - House (74 - 35)
6/18 SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
6/18 SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - House (66 - 42)
6/18 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
6/18 HCR 2019 Ends Affirmative Action Amendment Adopted - House (32 - 18)
6/18 H 5569 National Popular Vote Act Bill Failed - House (28 - 45)
6/18 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
6/18 HB 4998 Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
6/18 SB 248 2010 Human Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
6/18 HB 614 Delaying Paper Ballot Requirements Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 14)
6/17 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
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 S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
6/16 HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
6/16 SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/16 SB 162 Creation of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/15 HB 2005 Petition Regulation Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/15 HB 504 Jefferson Parish School Board Elections Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
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)
6/15 HB 889 Tobacco Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (45 - 55)
6/13 SB 202 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 53)
6/12 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
6/12 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (74 - 69)
6/12 SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
6/11 HB 2067 Expiration Dates for Tax Credits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 24)
6/11 HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 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 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (50 - 48)
6/10 HB 2834 Funding School for Blind Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
6/09 HB 877 Bluebonnet-Perkins Conference Hotel Taxing District Bill Passed - House (53 - 28)
6/09 HB 117 School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
6/09 HB 117 School Board Elections Bill Passed - House (23 - 17)
6/09 HB 866 Publishing Legal Records Bill Passed - House (53 - 40)
6/09 HB 2649 Income Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 23)
6/09 HB 3405 Corporate Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
6/08 HB 2116 Changing Health Care Assessment Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
6/08 HB 316 Property Tax Exemption Joint Resolution Failed - House (30 - 63)
6/05 LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
6/05 LD 1088 Income and Sales Tax Reform Bill Bill Passed - House (84 - 54)
6/04 LD 977 Repealing School District Consolidation "Ought Not to Pass" Report Rejected - Senate (16 - 19)
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)
6/03 A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
6/03 HB 243 Disclosure of Campaign Contributions Bill Failed - House (38 - 60)
6/03 AB 155 Local Government Bankruptcy Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 25)
6/02 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
6/02 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Veto Override Passed - House (100 - 50)
6/02 SB 703 Restrictions on the State Treasurer Regarding the State Pension Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 12)
6/02 HB 102 Racetrack Table Games Bill Passed - House (74 - 23)
6/02 SB 913 Elections to Fill US Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - House (107 - 37)
6/02 SB 913 Elections to Fill US Senate Vacancies Bill Passed - House (107 - 37)
6/01 A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - House (118 - 26)
6/01 SB 52 New Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9)
6/01 A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - House (118 - 26)
6/01 AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
6/01 HJR 369 Opposing the Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill Passed - House (70 - 20)
5/31 SB 956 Establishing a Public Law School in Dallas Conference Report Adopted - House (112 - 24)
5/31 HB 7 Campaign Contribution Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 46)
5/31 SB 2252 Temporary Income Tax Increase and Tax Credit for Green Businesses Bill Failed - House (42 - 74)
5/31 AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/31 AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
5/31 HB 2010 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 12)
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)
5/30 AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Passed - House (36 - 5)
5/30 HJRCA 31 Authorizing Governor Recall Elections Joint Resolution Passed - House (109 - 6)

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