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 15, 2009 | IL | SB 1292 | Issuing of Bonds for Revenue | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 12) |
| July 15, 2009 | IL | SB 1216 | 2009-2010 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10) |
| July 15, 2009 | IL | SB 1292 | Issuing of Bonds for Revenue | Bill Passed - House (88 - 24) |
| July 15, 2009 | IL | SB 1216 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (90 - 22) |
| July 13, 2009 | OH | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44) |
| July 13, 2009 | OH | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15) |
| July 6, 2009 | NC | SB 870 | Making General Statutes Gender Neutral | Motion Agreed - House (79 - 33) |
| July 1, 2009 | DE | HB 290 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| June 30, 2009 | IN | HB 1001 | 2010 Budget Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16) |
| June 30, 2009 | IN | HB 1001 | 2010 Budget Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 37) |
| June 30, 2009 | IL | SB 415 | Bond Approval | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| June 30, 2009 | NC | SB 311 | Continuing Budget Authority | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
| June 30, 2009 | CA | SB 74 | Deferring Education Funding (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| June 30, 2009 | DE | HB 290 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (27 - 14) |
| June 30, 2009 | DE | HB 210 | Liquor License Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 3) |
| June 30, 2009 | DE | HB 291 | Estate Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| June 30, 2009 | DE | HB 211 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| June 30, 2009 | CA | SB 64 | Education Spending Reductions (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 | RI | H 5005 | Voter Pre-Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| June 29, 2009 | CA | SBX3 17 | Tax Law Amendments (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| June 29, 2009 | NC | SB 311 | Continuing Budget Authority | Bill Passed - House (93 - 23) |
| June 29, 2009 | DE | HB 210 | Liquor License Fee | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
| June 29, 2009 | OR | HB 3369 | Water Development | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| June 29, 2009 | DE | HB 212 | Alcohol Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (22 - 19) |
| June 29, 2009 | DE | HB 291 | Estate Tax | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
| June 29, 2009 | PA | HB 746 | Children's Health Care Insurance | Bill Passed - House (106 - 94) |
| June 29, 2009 | PA | HB 1 | Expanding Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (104 - 96) |
| June 29, 2009 | DE | HB 211 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (25 - 15) |
| June 29, 2009 | CA | SBx3 16 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| June 28, 2009 | CA | SBx3 16 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
| June 28, 2009 | CA | SBX3 17 | Tax Law Amendments (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Bill Passed - House (42 - 31) |
| June 28, 2009 | CA | ABx3 39 | Tax Law Amendments (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
| June 27, 2009 | OR | HB 3508 | Implementing Measure 57 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| June 26, 2009 | MI | HB 4998 | Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14) |
| June 26, 2009 | MI | HB 4998 | Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14) |
| June 26, 2009 | OR | HB 2472 | Renewable Energy Tax Credit Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 2) |
| June 26, 2009 | WI | AB 75 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46) |
| June 26, 2009 | CT | SB 1801 | Biennium Budget Bill | Bill Passed - House (91 - 48) |
| June 26, 2009 | OR | HB 3508 | Implementing Measure 57 | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| June 26, 2009 | RI | H 5983 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
| June 26, 2009 | OR | HB 3369 | Water Development | Bill Passed - House (43 - 16) |
| June 25, 2009 | WI | AB 75 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15) |
| June 25, 2009 | OR | HB 2472 | Renewable Energy Tax Credit Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 21) |
| 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 | A 3101 | Creating Homelessness Trust Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4111 | State Employee Wage Increases | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| June 25, 2009 | CT | SB 1801 | Biennium Budget Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| June 25, 2009 | NJ | S 702 | Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| 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) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/15 | SB 1292 | Issuing of Bonds for Revenue | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 12) |
| 7/15 | SB 1216 | 2009-2010 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10) |
| 7/15 | SB 1292 | Issuing of Bonds for Revenue | Bill Passed - House (88 - 24) |
| 7/15 | SB 1216 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (90 - 22) |
| 7/13 | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 44) |
| 7/13 | HB 1 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15) |
| 7/06 | SB 870 | Making General Statutes Gender Neutral | Motion Agreed - House (79 - 33) |
| 7/01 | HB 290 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4) |
| 6/30 | HB 1001 | 2010 Budget Bill | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 16) |
| 6/30 | HB 1001 | 2010 Budget Bill | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 37) |
| 6/30 | SB 415 | Bond Approval | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| 6/30 | SB 311 | Continuing Budget Authority | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 13) |
| 6/30 | SB 74 | Deferring Education Funding (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
| 6/30 | HB 290 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (27 - 14) |
| 6/30 | HB 210 | Liquor License Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 3) |
| 6/30 | HB 291 | Estate Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| 6/30 | HB 211 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 6) |
| 6/30 | SB 64 | Education Spending Reductions (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 | H 5005 | Voter Pre-Registration | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| 6/29 | SBX3 17 | Tax Law Amendments (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| 6/29 | SB 311 | Continuing Budget Authority | Bill Passed - House (93 - 23) |
| 6/29 | HB 210 | Liquor License Fee | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
| 6/29 | HB 3369 | Water Development | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| 6/29 | HB 212 | Alcohol Tax Increase | Bill Failed - House (22 - 19) |
| 6/29 | HB 291 | Estate Tax | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
| 6/29 | HB 746 | Children's Health Care Insurance | Bill Passed - House (106 - 94) |
| 6/29 | HB 1 | Expanding Health Insurance | Bill Passed - House (104 - 96) |
| 6/29 | HB 211 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - House (25 - 15) |
| 6/29 | SBx3 16 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| 6/28 | SBx3 16 | 2009-2010 Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
| 6/28 | SBX3 17 | Tax Law Amendments (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Bill Passed - House (42 - 31) |
| 6/28 | ABx3 39 | Tax Law Amendments (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Bill Passed - House (44 - 31) |
| 6/27 | HB 3508 | Implementing Measure 57 | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| 6/26 | HB 4998 | Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14) |
| 6/26 | HB 4998 | Cobo Convention Center Ownership Transfer | Conference Report Adopted - House (93 - 14) |
| 6/26 | HB 2472 | Renewable Energy Tax Credit Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 2) |
| 6/26 | AB 75 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 46) |
| 6/26 | SB 1801 | Biennium Budget Bill | Bill Passed - House (91 - 48) |
| 6/26 | HB 3508 | Implementing Measure 57 | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| 6/26 | H 5983 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
| 6/26 | HB 3369 | Water Development | Bill Passed - House (43 - 16) |
| 6/25 | AB 75 | 2009-2011 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15) |
| 6/25 | HB 2472 | Renewable Energy Tax Credit Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 21) |
| 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 | A 3101 | Creating Homelessness Trust Funds | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27) |
| 6/25 | A 4111 | State Employee Wage Increases | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| 6/25 | A 4048 | 2009 Economic Package | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12) |
| 6/25 | SB 1801 | Biennium Budget Bill | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| 6/25 | S 702 | Promoting Purchase of Energy-Efficient Homes | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7) |
| 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) |