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 20, 2010 LA HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
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 LA HB 1339 Increasing Driving Restrictions on Class E License Holders Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 16, 2010 PA HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - House (192 - 6)
June 16, 2010 PA HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - House (192 - 6)
June 15, 2010 NY S 3890 Divorce Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 14, 2010 LA HB 303 Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
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 NH Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
June 9, 2010 NH Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
June 9, 2010 LA HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
June 8, 2010 PA HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
June 8, 2010 PA HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
June 7, 2010 LA SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 7, 2010 LA SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 4, 2010 TN HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
June 3, 2010 OH Wachtmann Amdt Authorizes Funding for the Workers' Compensation Council Amendment Tabled - House (53 - 44)
June 3, 2010 LA SB 593 Governor's Office Records Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 24)
June 3, 2010 CA SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 2, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
June 2, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
June 1, 2010 NY S 2311D Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 28)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
May 28, 2010 National HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
May 28, 2010 National HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 204)
May 27, 2010 National S Amdt 4204 Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80)
May 27, 2010 National H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
May 27, 2010 National H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
May 27, 2010 National S Amdt 4214 National Guard Deployment on Southern U.S. Land Border Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 46)
May 27, 2010 IL SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
May 27, 2010 National HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28)
May 27, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
May 27, 2010 IL SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
May 27, 2010 CA SB 1255 Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 27, 2010 OH HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
May 26, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
May 26, 2010 LA Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
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 25, 2010 OH Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
May 25, 2010 IL SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
May 25, 2010 LA SB 293 Establishes and Implements an Agency Attrition Analysis Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
May 24, 2010 TN HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27)
May 24, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 2)
May 24, 2010 LA HB 1390 Limiting Legislative Per Diem Pay Bill Failed - House (51 - 31)
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 18, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
May 18, 2010 National S Amdt 4072 Inspector General Appointment Modification Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 21)
May 18, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
May 17, 2010 NY S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (92 - 50)
May 17, 2010 LA HB 1478 Unpaid holidays for state employees Bill Failed - House (23 - 68)
May 17, 2010 NY S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 554 Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (63 - 20)
May 13, 2010 CA AB 1756 Food Stamps for Drug Felons Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1409 State Employee Compensation Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 27)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
May 12, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
May 12, 2010 MN SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
May 12, 2010 CO SB 191 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/20 HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
6/20 HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
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 1339 Increasing Driving Restrictions on Class E License Holders Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/16 HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - House (192 - 6)
6/16 HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - House (192 - 6)
6/15 S 3890 Divorce Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/14 HB 303 Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
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 Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
6/09 Amdt 2408 Insurance Premium Amendments Amendment Rejected - House (130 - 220)
6/09 HCR 57 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Presidential Line-Item Veto Resolution Passed - House (77 - 12)
6/09 HCR 65 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Debt Reduction Requirements Resolution Passed - House (74 - 19)
6/09 HCR 67 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (59 - 32)
6/09 HCR 69 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (57 - 29)
6/09 HCR 62 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Taxation Requirements Resolution Passed - House (68 - 21)
6/09 HCR 68 Requesting Constitutional Convention for a Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed - House (69 - 21)
6/09 HCR 59 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Legislation Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (76 - 13)
6/09 HCR 64 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Limiting Congressional Authority Resolution Passed - House (52 - 32)
6/09 HCR 66 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Federal Budget Restrictions Resolution Passed - House (74 - 21)
6/09 HCR 63 Requesting Constitutional Convention for Congressional Term Limits Resolution Passed - House (56 - 29)
6/08 HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
6/08 HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
6/07 SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/07 SB 731 Authorizing Attorney General Contingency Fee Contracts. Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/04 HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
6/03 Wachtmann Amdt Authorizes Funding for the Workers' Compensation Council Amendment Tabled - House (53 - 44)
6/03 SB 593 Governor's Office Records Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 24)
6/03 SB 1121 Overtime Wages for Agricultural Workers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/02 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
6/02 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
6/01 S 2311D Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 28)
5/28 HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
5/28 HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations Bill Passed - House (229 - 186)
5/28 HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension and Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (215 - 204)
5/27 S Amdt 4204 Requiring Afghanistan Troop Redeployment Plan and Timetable Amendment Rejected - Senate (18 - 80)
5/27 H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
5/27 H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 194)
5/27 S Amdt 4214 National Guard Deployment on Southern U.S. Land Border Motion Rejected - Senate (51 - 46)
5/27 SB 3658 Temporary Sales Tax Holiday Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8)
5/27 HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (67 - 28)
5/27 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
5/27 SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23)
5/27 SB 1255 Restrictions on Beverages Sold In Schools Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/27 HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
5/26 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
5/26 Amdt 4002 Requires Department of Education Employees Evaluation Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
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)
5/25 Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
5/25 SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
5/25 SB 3514 Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations Bill Passed - House (71 - 44)
5/25 SB 3660 Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 Bill Passed - House (67 - 50)
5/25 SB 293 Establishes and Implements an Agency Attrition Analysis Process Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
5/24 HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27)
5/24 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 2)
5/24 HB 1390 Limiting Legislative Per Diem Pay Bill Failed - House (51 - 31)
5/20 HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
5/18 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
5/18 S Amdt 4072 Inspector General Appointment Modification Amendment Adopted - Senate (75 - 21)
5/18 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
5/17 S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (92 - 50)
5/17 HB 1478 Unpaid holidays for state employees Bill Failed - House (23 - 68)
5/17 S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/13 HB 554 Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (63 - 20)
5/13 AB 1756 Food Stamps for Drug Felons Bill Passed - House (44 - 31)
5/12 HB 1409 State Employee Compensation Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 27)
5/12 HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
5/12 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
5/12 SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 24)
5/12 SB 191 Education Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 8)

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