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
May 30, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 29, 2009 OR HB 2001 Transit and Gas Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
May 29, 2009 OR SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
May 28, 2009 LA SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
May 28, 2009 CT HB 6187 Requiring Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (88 - 58)
May 27, 2009 IL SB 1682 Pre-need Funeral Funds Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 30)
May 27, 2009 MI SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 27, 2009 MI SB 585 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
May 27, 2009 OR HB 2001 Transit and Gas Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
May 27, 2009 RI S 659 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
May 26, 2009 MI HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
May 26, 2009 OR SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
May 26, 2009 CT SB 953 Hedge Funds Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 1645 Requiring Qualified Purchasing Agents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
May 21, 2009 LA HB 705 Equal Pay for Women Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
May 21, 2009 NJ A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
May 20, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
May 20, 2009 CT HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - House (109 - 36)
May 20, 2009 OH HB 3 Moratorium on Foreclosures Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
May 20, 2009 CT HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 35)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
May 19, 2009 RI H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
May 19, 2009 LA HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
May 15, 2009 OR HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
May 15, 2009 MO HB 191 Law Changes Regarding Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
May 14, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
May 14, 2009 TX HB 1657 Contractor Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (73 - 71)
May 14, 2009 AL HB 373 Higher Alcohol Content Limit for Beer Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
May 13, 2009 ME LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
May 13, 2009 WI SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
May 12, 2009 RI H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
May 12, 2009 NC HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
May 11, 2009 NC HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
May 8, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodations Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
May 7, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
May 6, 2009 VT H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
May 6, 2009 NY S 1363 Tenants' Protection In Foreclosure Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
May 6, 2009 CO HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
May 6, 2009 MI HB 4785 Job Training Program Benefits and Security Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
May 6, 2009 MI HB 4786 Part-Time Work Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
May 5, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
May 5, 2009 CO SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
May 5, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
May 5, 2009 OR SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
May 5, 2009 CO HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
May 4, 2009 MN SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
May 4, 2009 CO SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
May 4, 2009 OR HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
May 4, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
May 2, 2009 ND SB 2162 Child Care Background Checks Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 20)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
May 1, 2009 FL HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 35)
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 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 19)
April 30, 2009 FL Amdt 626368 Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23)
April 30, 2009 MN Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
April 30, 2009 AL SB 373 Deregulation of Landline Phone Service Rates Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
April 29, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
April 29, 2009 CT HB 6636 Clean Energy Fund and Electricity Provider Bill Bill Passed - House (104 - 38)
April 29, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
April 29, 2009 ID S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 16)
April 28, 2009 MO Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
April 28, 2009 WI AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
April 28, 2009 WI SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 28, 2009 CO HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
April 27, 2009 FL HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
April 27, 2009 CO SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
April 27, 2009 CO HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
April 27, 2009 MA Sciortino Amdt Sales Tax Increase Amendment Adopted - House (108 - 51)
April 25, 2009 WA HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
April 23, 2009 FL Amdt 168357 Extended Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Premium Rate Freeze Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 76)
April 23, 2009 WI SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
April 22, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 14)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
April 22, 2009 OR HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
April 22, 2009 WA HB 1709 Payday Lending Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 22, 2009 VT H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
April 22, 2009 OK HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23)
April 21, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
April 21, 2009 AL HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
April 20, 2009 MN Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
April 20, 2009 TX HB 681 Warning Signs Regarding Mercury Levels in Fish Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
April 20, 2009 OR HB 2067 Expiration Dates for Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
April 20, 2009 NV AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
April 17, 2009 NV SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
April 17, 2009 NE LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 16, 2009 TN HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 258 Excluding Tipped Employees from Mandatory Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (86 - 74)
April 16, 2009 ID S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 16, 2009 CA SB 242 Prohibiting Language Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
April 15, 2009 TX SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
April 15, 2009 OR HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
April 15, 2009 ID S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/30 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/29 HB 2001 Transit and Gas Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
5/29 SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
5/28 SB 186 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
5/28 HB 6187 Requiring Paid Sick Leave Bill Passed - House (88 - 58)
5/27 SB 1682 Pre-need Funeral Funds Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 30)
5/27 SB 587 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/27 SB 585 Cobo Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
5/27 HB 2001 Transit and Gas Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
5/27 S 659 Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
5/26 HB 4377 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (73 - 31)
5/26 SB 284 Extension of Statute of Ultimate Repose Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
5/26 SB 953 Hedge Funds Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
5/21 A 1645 Requiring Qualified Purchasing Agents Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 26)
5/21 HB 705 Equal Pay for Women Bill Failed - House (33 - 59)
5/21 A 3372 Wages in Board of Public Utilities Construction Projects Bill Passed - House (54 - 22)
5/20 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
5/20 HB 6582 Healthcare Partnership Bill Passed - House (109 - 36)
5/20 HB 3 Moratorium on Foreclosures Bill Passed - House (54 - 43)
5/20 HB 6600 SustiNet Health Insurance Plan Bill Passed - House (107 - 35)
5/19 HB 782 Wireless Phone Card Fees Bill Passed - House (79 - 13)
5/19 H 5769 Boxing Rule Changes Bill Passed - House (53 - 13)
5/19 HB 517 Health Care Protection Bill Passed - House (82 - 13)
5/15 HB 2726 Nutrition Labeling on Menus Bill Passed - House (43 - 15)
5/15 HB 191 Law Changes Regarding Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
5/14 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - Senate (18 - 11)
5/14 HB 1657 Contractor Worker's Compensation Bill Passed - House (73 - 71)
5/14 HB 373 Higher Alcohol Content Limit for Beer Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9)
5/13 LD 290 Out-of-State Health Insurance "Ought Not to Pass" Report Adopted - House (82 - 63)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
5/13 SB 181 Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
5/12 H 5143 E-Verify Bill Bill Passed - House (38 - 33)
5/12 HB 1289 Lottery Sales Ban at Check Cashing Sites Bill Passed - House (84 - 29)
5/11 HB 2 Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
5/08 SB 1111 Transient Accommodations Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
5/07 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (91 - 49)
5/06 HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28)
5/06 H 436 Nuclear Plant Decommisioning Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - House (85 - 52)
5/06 S 1363 Tenants' Protection In Foreclosure Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 24)
5/06 HB 1366 Capital Gains Income Tax Reduction Modification Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
5/06 HB 4785 Job Training Program Benefits and Security Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
5/06 HB 4786 Part-Time Work Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - House (68 - 39)
5/05 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 57)
5/05 SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
5/05 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 10)
5/05 SB 786 Workplace Religious Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11)
5/05 HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 29)
5/04 SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 28)
5/04 SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - House (45 - 20)
5/04 HB 2821 Employee Vacation Use Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 23)
5/04 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 26)
5/02 SB 2162 Child Care Background Checks Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 20)
5/01 HB 903 Capping Attorney Fees in Workers' Compensation Lawsuits Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 16)
5/01 HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
5/01 HB 1495 Property Insurance Law Modifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 35)
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 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Veto Override Passed - House (54 - 19)
4/30 Amdt 626368 Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23)
4/30 Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amendment Rejected - House (60 - 72)
4/30 SB 373 Deregulation of Landline Phone Service Rates Bill Passed - House (67 - 24)
4/29 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 47)
4/29 HB 6636 Clean Energy Fund and Electricity Provider Bill Bill Passed - House (104 - 38)
4/29 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - House (51 - 47)
4/29 S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - House (50 - 16)
4/28 Amdt 1 Allowing Pharmacists to Refuse to Provide "Abortifacients" Amendment Adopted - House (115 - 43)
4/28 AB 100 Restricting Health Insurance Companies' Ability to Exclude Individuals. Bill Passed - House (61 - 38)
4/28 SB 20 Discriminatory Pay Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/28 HB 1170 Allowing Locked-Out Employees to Collect Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
4/27 HB 1219 Permitting Offshore Drilling Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
4/27 SB 244 Requiring Health Insurance Plans to Cover Autism Treatments Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
4/27 HB 1057 Mandatory Unpaid Parental Work Leave for Education Activities Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 13)
4/27 Sciortino Amdt Sales Tax Increase Amendment Adopted - House (108 - 51)
4/25 HB 1614 Oil Importation Fee for Storm Water Pollution Cleanup Bill Passed - House (51 - 45)
4/23 Amdt 168357 Extended Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Premium Rate Freeze Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 76)
4/23 SB 27 Requires Insurance Coverage for Children's Hearing Aid Treatments Bill Passed - House (80 - 16)
4/22 SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - House (35 - 14)
4/22 HB 1332 Increased Regulation of Pet Breeders Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
4/22 HB 2672 Increasing Moist Snuff Tobacco Tax and Regulations Bill Passed - House (40 - 18)
4/22 HB 1709 Payday Lending Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/22 H 446 Renewable Energy Amendments Bill Passed - House (88 - 44)
4/22 HB 1602 Attorney Fee Limits Bill Failed - Senate (23 - 23)
4/21 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
4/21 HB 175 Permitting Elections in Smaller Municipalities on Allowing Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9)
4/20 Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
4/20 HB 681 Warning Signs Regarding Mercury Levels in Fish Bill Passed - House (95 - 50)
4/20 HB 2067 Expiration Dates for Tax Credits Bill Passed - House (36 - 24)
4/20 AB 495 Removing Medical Malpractice Award Cap Bill Passed - House (26 - 15)
4/17 SB 372 Smoking Ban Exceptions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
4/17 LB 355 Exempting Cigar Bars from the Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/16 HB 962 Authorizing Guns in Restaurants that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/16 HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
4/16 HB 258 Excluding Tipped Employees from Mandatory Minimum Wage Increases Bill Passed - House (86 - 74)
4/16 S 1166 Workers' Compensation Dividend Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/16 SB 242 Prohibiting Language Discrimination Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
4/15 SB 1049 Increasing Age Restriction on Tobacco Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
4/15 HB 2794 Mandatory HPV Vaccination Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 12)
4/15 S 1148 Alcohol Law Amendments Bill Failed - House (28 - 42)

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