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
April 20, 2009 MN SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
April 18, 2009 AK SB 75 2009-2010 Capital Budget Bill Passed - House (27 - 13)
April 17, 2009 MN SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
April 16, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
April 16, 2009 MO HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
April 16, 2009 MO HJR 32 Bonds to Fund Higher Education Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28)
April 16, 2009 MO SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
April 15, 2009 VT H 442 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 54)
April 15, 2009 IN HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
April 14, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
April 14, 2009 HI SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 11)
April 14, 2009 MO HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
April 14, 2009 TX SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
April 14, 2009 HI HB 1747 Income Tax Rate Increase for Top Income Brackets Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
April 14, 2009 ID H 303 Online Public Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
April 13, 2009 MD SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
April 13, 2009 CO SB 281 Clarifying Pinnacol Assurance as a Subdivision of the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
April 13, 2009 CO SB 273 Appropriation of Pinnacol Assurance Funds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
April 11, 2009 WV SB 246 Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
April 11, 2009 WV SB 373 PROMISE Scholarship Amendments Bill Passed - House (86 - 14)
April 10, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
April 10, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
April 9, 2009 ID H 135 Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
April 9, 2009 NH HB 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (182 - 165)
April 8, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
April 8, 2009 NH HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (193 - 174)
April 7, 2009 MN SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
April 7, 2009 MA S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
April 7, 2009 ID S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
April 7, 2009 ID H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
April 6, 2009 OR SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 119 2009-2010 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 41)
April 3, 2009 NY A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 NE LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
April 3, 2009 NY A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 NY A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 VT H 441 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
April 3, 2009 GA HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
April 3, 2009 ID H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
April 2, 2009 NY A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 2, 2009 RI H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
April 1, 2009 VT H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
April 1, 2009 RI H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
April 1, 2009 TX SB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
April 1, 2009 GA SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
April 1, 2009 AK HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
April 1, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
March 31, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
March 31, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53)
March 31, 2009 NY A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (91 - 56)
March 31, 2009 NY A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 59)
March 31, 2009 NY A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (85 - 61)
March 31, 2009 NY A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (86 - 59)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 2 2009-10 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (92 - 64)
March 26, 2009 MD HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
March 26, 2009 MN HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
March 26, 2009 MO HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
March 26, 2009 ID H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
March 25, 2009 PA SB 490 Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
March 25, 2009 KS HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
March 25, 2009 GA SB 83 Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption Bill Failed - House (109 - 63)
March 24, 2009 IN HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
March 24, 2009 WI SB 37 Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
March 24, 2009 KS HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
March 24, 2009 NC SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
March 24, 2009 KS HB 2373 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (70 - 54)
March 23, 2009 GA HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 55)
March 19, 2009 IA SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
March 19, 2009 NM HB 154 Capital Improvement Appropriations Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
March 19, 2009 ID H 246 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (27 - 43)
March 18, 2009 OH HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
March 17, 2009 MT HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
March 17, 2009 CO SB 228 Repealing the General Fund Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
March 16, 2009 NJ S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 13, 2009 SD HB Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 13, 2009 NM HB 346 Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
March 13, 2009 KY HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 13, 2009 AK HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
March 12, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 12, 2009 UT HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
March 12, 2009 KS HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
March 12, 2009 WA SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
March 12, 2009 MI SB 69 Alternative Business Tax Eligibility Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
March 12, 2009 MO HJR 23 Constitutional State Spending Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78)
March 12, 2009 WA HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
March 12, 2009 MI SB 201 Vehicle Sales Tax Modification Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 12, 2009 GA HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - House (92 - 79)
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 11, 2009 SC H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
March 11, 2009 UT HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/20 SF 802 2009-2011 Biennium Public Safety and Corrections Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 31)
4/18 SB 75 2009-2010 Capital Budget Bill Passed - House (27 - 13)
4/17 SF 2083 2009-2011 Biennium Higher Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 23)
4/16 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
4/16 HB 795 Minimum Wage and Sales Tax Modifications for Businesses Bill Passed - House (87 - 70)
4/16 HJR 32 Bonds to Fund Higher Education Joint Resolution Passed - House (131 - 28)
4/16 SB 306 State Health Care Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7)
4/15 HB 1607 West Lake Commuter Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
4/15 H 442 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (82 - 54)
4/15 HB 1604 Authorizing Local Tax Increases to Fund Sports and Convention Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
4/14 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
4/14 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
4/14 SB 1111 Transient Accommodation Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (37 - 11)
4/14 HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 6)
4/14 SB 855 Authorizing County Taxes and Fees to Fund Transportation Projects Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9)
4/14 HB 1605 Allowing Counties to Impose Retail Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 4)
4/14 HB 1744 Allowing a County Surcharge on the Transient Accommodations Tax Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 6)
4/14 HB 1747 Income Tax Rate Increase for Top Income Brackets Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 4)
4/14 H 303 Online Public Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
4/13 SB 785 Inheritance Tax Exemption for Domestic Partners Bill Passed - House (94 - 38)
4/13 SB 281 Clarifying Pinnacol Assurance as a Subdivision of the State Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
4/13 SB 273 Appropriation of Pinnacol Assurance Funds Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
4/11 SB 246 Temporary Unemployment Compensation Tax Increase for Employers Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
4/11 SB 373 PROMISE Scholarship Amendments Bill Passed - House (86 - 14)
4/10 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
4/10 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
4/09 H 135 Fuel Tax for Highway Maintenance Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
4/09 HB 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (182 - 165)
4/08 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 5)
4/08 HB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (193 - 174)
4/07 SF 1328 2009-2011 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 29)
4/07 S 2024 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Bill Passed - House (147 - 7)
4/07 S 1186 Highway Project Financing Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
4/07 H 276 2009-2010 Department of Environmental Quality Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 16)
4/06 SB 311 Changes in Liability Limits Bill Passed - House (50 - 8)
4/03 HB 119 2009-2010 State Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (137 - 41)
4/03 A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 LB 260 Wrongful Conviction Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 9)
4/03 A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 H 441 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (94 - 52)
4/03 HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
4/03 H 173 Restricting Eligibility for State Retiree Health Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
4/02 A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/02 H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
4/01 H 438 Gas Tax Increase to Fund Transportation Construction Bonds Bill Passed - House (108 - 35)
4/01 H 5019 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (58 - 16)
4/01 SB 1 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
4/01 SB 200 Reorganization of the Department of Transportation Bill Passed - House (90 - 84)
4/01 HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
4/01 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 29)
3/31 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 5)
3/31 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 53)
3/31 A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (91 - 56)
3/31 A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 59)
3/31 A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (85 - 61)
3/31 A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (86 - 59)
3/26 HB 2 2009-10 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (92 - 64)
3/26 HB 310 Extending Unemployment Benefits to Part-Time Employees Bill Passed - House (94 - 43)
3/26 HB 10 2009-10 Health Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
3/26 HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding Bill Passed - House (113 - 19)
3/26 HB 11 2009-2010 Social Services Budget Bill Passed - House (88 - 66)
3/26 H 262 Teacher Compensation Adjustments Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
3/25 SB 490 Oil and Gas Lease Fund Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
3/25 HB 2275 Drug Testing for Cash Assistance Recipients Bill Passed - House (99 - 26)
3/25 SB 83 Expanding Homestead Property Tax Exemption Bill Failed - House (109 - 63)
3/24 HB 1379 Unemployment Benefit Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
3/24 SB 37 Allowing Drivers To Keep Licenses While Paying Fines Bill Passed - House (53 - 45)
3/24 HB 2354 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
3/24 SB 287 State Health Plan Changes and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 18)
3/24 HB 2373 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (70 - 54)
3/23 HB 233 Two-Year Property Tax Assessment Freeze Concurrence Vote Passed - House (114 - 55)
3/19 SF 389 Health Insurance Expansion Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
3/19 HB 154 Capital Improvement Appropriations Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
3/19 H 246 Gasoline Tax Increase Bill Failed - House (27 - 43)
3/18 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
3/17 HB 2 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
3/17 SB 228 Repealing the General Fund Spending Cap Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
3/16 S 21 Local Government PERS/PFRS Contribution Deferral Bill Passed - House (42 - 36)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/13 HB Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/13 HB 346 Increasing Gross Receipts Tax and Compensating Tax to Fund Education Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
3/13 HB 374 Gasoline Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/13 HB 81 2009-2010 Operating Budget Bill Passed - House (29 - 9)
3/12 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/12 HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27)
3/12 HB 2320 State Spending Limitations and Savings Accounts Bill Passed - House (89 - 33)
3/12 SB 2252 Shifting Local Tax Revenue Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
3/12 HB 480 Car Tax Amendments Bill Passed - House (133 - 39)
3/12 SB 69 Alternative Business Tax Eligibility Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
3/12 HJR 23 Constitutional State Spending Cap Joint Resolution Passed - House (82 - 78)
3/12 HB 2261 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 26)
3/12 SB 201 Vehicle Sales Tax Modification Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/12 HB 243 Ending New Enrollment in Bonus Program for Teachers' National Certification Bill Passed - House (92 - 79)
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/11 H 3560 2009-2010 Budget Motion Agreed - House (71 - 43)
3/11 HB 2 2009-2010 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 9)

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