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 18, 2010 LA HB 1171 Performance Agreements for Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 16, 2010 LA HB 303 Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
June 16, 2010 PA HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - House (192 - 6)
June 16, 2010 NY A 11410 Emergency Housing Rent Control Extension Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
June 15, 2010 NY S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
June 15, 2010 NY S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
June 14, 2010 LA HB 303 Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
June 14, 2010 LA HB 195 Inmate Parole Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
June 10, 2010 National H Amdt 688 Limiting Principal Obligation Amounts of Federal Housing Administration Mortgages Amendment Rejected - House (121 - 301)
June 10, 2010 National H Amdt 686 Limiting Federal Housing Administration Mortgage Issuance Amendment Rejected - House (106 - 316)
June 10, 2010 National H Amdt 684 Increasing Minimum Down Payment for Federal Housing Administration Mortgages Amendment Rejected - House (131 - 289)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
June 9, 2010 National S Amdt 4326 Requiring Reports on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 41)
June 9, 2010 TN HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30)
June 9, 2010 TN HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30)
June 9, 2010 TN HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7)
June 9, 2010 TN HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7)
June 9, 2010 National S Amdt 4302 Requiring Reports on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (38 - 61)
June 8, 2010 PA HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
June 8, 2010 PA SB 1161 Authorizing Qualified Inmate Transfer to Pre-Release Centers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8088 Requiring Prior Approval of Health Insurance Premium Rates Bill Passed - House (117 - 17)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (90 - 44)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26)
June 4, 2010 TN HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
June 3, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
June 3, 2010 CA SB 1163 Denials of Health Care Coverage Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
June 3, 2010 CA AB 2047 Expanding Authorized University Admission Considerations Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 28)
June 2, 2010 CA SB 1088 Young Adults Health insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
June 2, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
June 2, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
June 2, 2010 CA SB 399 Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal Life Without Parole Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 2, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
June 2, 2010 CA AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
June 2, 2010 CA SB 1399 Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
June 2, 2010 CA SB 1399 Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
June 1, 2010 CA SB 1168 Grand Juries for Misdemeanors in the County of Los Angeles Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 1602 Health Care Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
June 1, 2010 CA SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
June 1, 2010 CA SB 900 Health Benefits Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11310 Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 14)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11310 Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
May 27, 2010 National S Amdt 4214 National Guard Deployment on Southern U.S. Land Border Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 46)
May 27, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
May 27, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
May 27, 2010 CA SB 1255 Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 27, 2010 CA SB 1255 Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 26, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
May 26, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 26, 2010 LA SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
May 26, 2010 LA Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
May 26, 2010 MA H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
May 26, 2010 OH HB 473 Prohibits Inappropriate Pictures of Minors Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
May 24, 2010 TN HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27)
May 21, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 16)
May 20, 2010 LA HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
May 18, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
May 18, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
May 17, 2010 MN HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14)
May 17, 2010 MN HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
May 17, 2010 LA HB 300 Authorization for the Louisiana Tax Commission to Levy and Collect Certain Fees Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
May 13, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 554 Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (63 - 20)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 1368 Exempts Local School Districts from Various Rules and Regulations Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 1474 Choice of Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
May 12, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
May 12, 2010 VT H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
May 12, 2010 CO SB 191 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
May 12, 2010 National S Amdt 3955 Establishing New Mortgage Underwriting Requirements and Eliminating a Risk Retention Requirement Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 57)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/18 HB 1171 Performance Agreements for Colleges and Universities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
6/18 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/16 HB 303 Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
6/16 HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - House (192 - 6)
6/16 A 11410 Emergency Housing Rent Control Extension Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
6/15 S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
6/15 S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 18)
6/14 HB 303 Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
6/14 HB 195 Inmate Parole Modifications Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7)
6/10 H Amdt 688 Limiting Principal Obligation Amounts of Federal Housing Administration Mortgages Amendment Rejected - House (121 - 301)
6/10 H Amdt 686 Limiting Federal Housing Administration Mortgage Issuance Amendment Rejected - House (106 - 316)
6/10 H Amdt 684 Increasing Minimum Down Payment for Federal Housing Administration Mortgages Amendment Rejected - House (131 - 289)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
6/09 S Amdt 4326 Requiring Reports on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Amendment Adopted - Senate (58 - 41)
6/09 HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30)
6/09 HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30)
6/09 HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7)
6/09 HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 7)
6/09 S Amdt 4302 Requiring Reports on Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Amendment Not Tabled - Senate (38 - 61)
6/08 HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
6/08 SB 1161 Authorizing Qualified Inmate Transfer to Pre-Release Centers Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 21)
6/07 S 8088 Requiring Prior Approval of Health Insurance Premium Rates Bill Passed - House (117 - 17)
6/07 S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (90 - 44)
6/07 S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26)
6/04 HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
6/03 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
6/03 SB 1163 Denials of Health Care Coverage Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
6/03 AB 2047 Expanding Authorized University Admission Considerations Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 28)
6/02 SB 1088 Young Adults Health insurance Coverage Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
6/02 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
6/02 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
6/02 SB 399 Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal Life Without Parole Sentences Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/02 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
6/02 AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
6/02 SB 1399 Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
6/02 SB 1399 Expanding Medical Parole Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
6/01 SB 1168 Grand Juries for Misdemeanors in the County of Los Angeles Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
6/01 AB 1602 Health Care Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
6/01 AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
6/01 SB 880 Requiring Snow Sport Helmets for Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
6/01 SB 900 Health Benefits Exchange Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
5/28 A 11310 Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 14)
5/28 A 11310 Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
5/27 S Amdt 4214 National Guard Deployment on Southern U.S. Land Border Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 46)
5/27 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
5/27 SB 704 School Change Models Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
5/27 SB 1255 Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/27 SB 1255 Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/26 SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
5/26 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/26 SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
5/26 Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
5/26 H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
5/26 HB 473 Prohibits Inappropriate Pictures of Minors Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
5/24 HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27)
5/21 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 16)
5/20 HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
5/20 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
5/18 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
5/18 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
5/18 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
5/17 HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 14)
5/17 HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
5/17 HB 300 Authorization for the Louisiana Tax Commission to Levy and Collect Certain Fees Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
5/13 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
5/13 HB 554 Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (63 - 20)
5/13 HB 1368 Exempts Local School Districts from Various Rules and Regulations Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
5/13 HB 1474 Choice of Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
5/12 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
5/12 H 485 Property Tax and Land Use Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9)
5/12 SB 191 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/12 HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
5/12 S Amdt 3955 Establishing New Mortgage Underwriting Requirements and Eliminating a Risk Retention Requirement Amendment Rejected - Senate (42 - 57)

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